And then I apologised to him and acknowledged embarrassing myself on the WFPI

User Posted Link

User Posted Link

Classy guy that he is, he accepted my apology too.

That I'd not slept for 48 hours had more than a bit to do with it... and as everyone on here knows, anger and phone-ins don't suit me at all well.

Why was I angry? Because there *was* a level of apologia about FIFA's goings-on, especially from Gleeson. Because the situation in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay at all levels of the game *is* appalling and indefensible. And because, as you could tell from Dotun's tone, no-one really cares (or actually, even wants to know) about Uruguay: which has been under lock, stock and barrel of a corrupt mafia gangster for 16 years and counting. A corrupt mafia gangster who's going to benefit more than almost anyone else in this continent from recent events - and whose acolytes threaten to kill those who try and tell the truth about him.

That apologia - which I nonetheless overreacted and took entirely the wrong tone to - is replicated in Brandonio's posts on here which get praised for their 'balance'. FIFA is an international criminal organisation, nothing less... and sorry, but I'm not about to praise that, whatever 'good' people claim that FIFA happen to do in passing. Especially when the exact opposite is seen on an almost daily basis where I (and even, where Tim Vickery) live. And given the President's just resigned less than 100 hours after being re-elected, said apologia and 'balance' look kinda ridiculous right now in any case.

As for what it says on my Twitter bio: well, I'd be delighted if someone introduced me to someone who was. As it is, the BBC and CNN both used my services last summer; the Telegraph hired an Argentinian football expert whose facts on Uruguay were almost all wrong, and is such a great guy that he acknowledged as much, and suggested they approach me instead; and I get plenty of enquiries from UK writers now too. I'm not saying this to boast or anything like it; as claims to fame go, 'Uruguayan football expert' is pretty crap and certainly obscure, and Spanish speakers here know much more than I do. But in English? Nope.

Beyond that: I don't post any longer because I'm an arsehole on here. This place brings out the absolute worst in and is the absolute wrong online environment for me. Misunderstandings and arguments happen far too easily; huge numbers of posters are judged not on what they say, but who they - or rather, what their reputations/stereotypes on here - are (exhibit A: just watch the response to the paragraph above), and who their Wrath 'mates' happen to be; and cliques and double standards are everywhere to be seen.

Which is all very human and perfectly normal... especially on a football messageboard. It's just the wrong place for me - and once someone's on the wrong side of key individuals on here, it's actually impossible for them to recover. Whether that'll ever be noted in the case of others who get similar treatment is entirely up to all of you - but I do believe we reap what we sow online, as anywhere else. So it's my fault; no-one else's.

So I shall bid you all farewell. I'm sure you'll all be absolutely devastated. Or something. :)

But just before I do: massive congratulations to everyone at the club on promotion and an extraordinary season. NCFC are back where we belong, it couldn't be more deserved... and we're back to stay. :)

Cheers all. So long - and always, always, OTBC.

Posted By: thebigfeller on June 3rd 2015 at 05:10:14

Message Thread

Fell asleep listening to the world football phone in (Other Football) - wolfio, Jun 3, 01:50:47
- Just listened to the podcast. Had to laugh at (Other Football) - manc_yello, Jun 3, 08:01:24
- That's him is it? Very knowledgeable but a bit too intense (n/m) (Other Football) - Dr Baker, Jun 3, 07:30:45
- he was the first caller so you didnt miss much! (n/m) (Other Football) - Brandonio, Jun 3, 02:03:36
  - I've just seen some of his basically abusive tweets to Tim Vickery... (Other Football) - Garry Brooke, Jun 3, 02:37:37
    - And then I apologised to him and acknowledged embarrassing myself on the WFPI (Other Football) - thebigfeller, Jun 3, 05:10:14
      - Why don't you just create another username (Other Football) - Trent_Canary, Jun 3, 10:05:40
      - You're a good poster, don't go (n/m) (Other Football) - Adster, Jun 3, 08:43:12
      - stop being a fanny (Other Football) - CWC, Jun 3, 08:38:10
        
        i like the fact that he's now posting too many words in a foreign language as well (Other Football) - Tombs, Jun 3, 08:42:24
      - Get some sleep and come back then. (n/m) (Other Football) - Bungle, Jun 3, 07:48:00
        
        or some sheep. Sheep are great. (n/m) (Other Football) - Old Man, Jun 3, 10:25:50
      - I like your posts and will be sorry to see you go tbf (n/m) (Other Football) - Dave in France, Jun 3, 07:32:07
      - See? That's almost reasonable. (Other Football) - Garry Brooke, Jun 3, 06:52:01
        
        He is. Has an effortless charm which I'll never have. (Other Football) - thebigfeller, Jun 3, 07:02:32
        
        Shit happens, keep posting. (n/m) (Other Football) - protheroe fitzgibbon, Jun 3, 07:45:36
        
        ^ this. Don't do a flounce (n/m) (Other Football) - MIKEWALKER, Jun 3, 07:47:11
        
        Agreed. (n/m) (Other Football) - Garry Brooke, Jun 3, 08:40:51
      - Cheers.. (Other Football) - Garry Brooke, Jun 3, 06:45:49
      - *drops mic* (n/m) (Other Football) - MIKEWALKER, Jun 3, 06:34:26
    - that is preposterous (Other Football) - Brandonio, Jun 3, 04:31:37
      - Funny how Kelly said the exact opposite to me then, isn't it? (Other Football) - thebigfeller, Jun 3, 05:31:19
        
        One final thing, and then I'm off. :) (Other Football) - thebigfeller, Jun 3, 05:45:30
        
        You admitted to me on here you don't go to games in Uruguay (Other Football) - Brandonio, Jun 3, 05:43:11
        
        in fairness, 'in the land of the blind the one eyed man is king' (Other Football) - CWC, Jun 3, 09:47:43
        
        Bit difficult to see Liverpool take on River given they've been in the Segunda all season (Other Football) - thebigfeller, Jun 3, 06:13:10
        
        Is it 22 years or 25 years? haha. (Other Football) - Brandonio, Jun 3, 06:54:31
        
        Agree 100% about the book, which is why it's on hold. (Other Football) - thebigfeller, Jun 3, 07:01:08
        
        Chileans are pretty pessimistic people in my experiences so far (Other Football) - Brandonio, Jun 3, 07:10:39
        
        That's interesting. See, I'm completely ignorant about Chileans. :) (Other Football) - thebigfeller, Jun 3, 07:23:23
    - lol, I doubt it (Other Football) - Worzel Scrimmage, Jun 3, 03:41:15
    - Seriously? (n/m) (Other Football) - protheroe fitzgibbon, Jun 3, 03:40:28

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