Each 45-Minute Half is Artificially Extended to 48-Minutes!

US: Explaining the Ridiculous FIFA “Hydration-Breaks”! (6.7.2026)

As football is traditionally a winter sport in the UK – hot weather is usually not an issue. However, where British teams have had to play in the heat abroad – water bottles are often placed near the side-line. Players drink quickly during natural breaks in the game – not during specific breaks. Therefore, “Hydration-Breaks” are a cynical attempt by the US to penetrate their hideous form of capitalism into the interior of the footballing game. What matters for them is commerce – not skill. The audience exists not to understand the game – but merely to “consume” in an ignorant manner. In fact, the more ignorant the better – as such a state allows the individual to be parted from their money in a much easier manner. Coaches, understanding the artificial nature of these breaks – are using them as unusual “half-times” where players can re-group and alter their shape or change their approach. All this has nothing to do with genuine football and is a contrivance. Indeed, it is altering the internal structure of the game. Once the World Cup has left the US – these breaks should be dead and buried.

England Players Ask Manager "Which Side of the Ball Should We Kick?"

UK: BBC Sphincter “Opens” To Devastating Affect! (4.7.2026)

Furthermore, middle-class parents worked in professions where having unofficial and discreet “time-off work” during school hours was fairly normal and expected – a sort of “perk” due to their social position. I know this, as I know live in one of these middle-class areas – where parents are expected to man-mark their children throughout the day and protect them from light, dark, insects, wind, rain, and whatever else might unexpectedly come their way. Nothing must hinder their smooth entry and egress to and from school each day. In other working-class areas – the tradition of being “duffed-up” at break-times or going-home times still prevails. Mexico, as a co-host, and a much more steadier footballing nation (Mexico played in the first FIFA World Cup in 1930 and has hosted or co-hosted the tournament three-times – but has never won it) should see-off England. England is world class at the front – but the English defence is about as reliable as the water-tight doors on the Titanic! Of course, England might surprise us, but either-way, playing an England match at 1am in the morning is ludicrous and disrespectful to the country that founded football and gave the sport to the world. Children staggering into school the next day is just very poor form indeed – but here we all are!

FIBA Basketball World Cup releases a post on Feb. 26, 2026. (Photo from FIBA Basketball World Cup on its Facebook account)

Japan: US-controlled FIBA Describe China Basket-Ball Win as “Sneaky” – Following Dramatic Last-Gasp Come-Back! (2.3.2026)

My interest in basket-ball is “zero” – despite my daughters having to play “net-ball” at school (a slightly different – but related game). Of course, this is an Odious US game – and I would much rather watch a sedate game of cricket (there was nothing “sedate” about the West Indies at their peak). However, over the years I have been contacted here and there by “modern” Mainland Chinese people (usually male academics) who for some reason find basket-ball enthralling. They know the names of all the US players (?) and think that every other European country must share in this obsession. When confronted with this banality – my eyes simply glaze-over. But – we are where we are. I believe that during WWII – the anti-Japanese racism employed by the US government (as part of the war-effort) – involved a “pop song” entitled “We’re Gonna Have to Sl’p the D’rty Little J’p” song by Carson Robison.

Playing Cricket in the Back Yards of UK Cities!

UK: British Council Film Archive ([1950] – Cricket Documentary! (25.9.2025)

At his peak, however, he was a very good all-rounder wielding the bat and ball. When a child, my father taught me all the rules of cricket and this is why I know a) how to play the game, and b) what is going on when watching it (we support Leicestershire County Cricket Club – and we watched them play once). I have tried to teach my partner and children – but the modern youth now have the internet to take their attention! I have played “in-door” cricket – as well as cricket on a proper pitch – and I never wore a helmet (I couldn’t afford one). When standing at the crease – the mind must be calm and expansive – clear and reflective. Peace and self-control must permeate reality – whilst the bat and ball must be properly utilised in a technically perfect manner. There is no hatred for the opposition – or unnecessary attachment to one’s team-mates – all are equal to the true gentleman. This is why I refer to cricket as a form of English Confucianism!

A Beautiful Lodge!

Sutton & Cheam: Family Outing in Nonsuch Park! (13.6.2025)

There is an irony to it all. Although Henry was acting to empower his own position, and in so doing strengthen the English crown, by creating a capitalist economy premised upon trade, profit, and individualistic employment, (we are forced to earn profit to “pay” to keep the inequalities and injustices of the capitalist system at a distance) – he inadvertently and simultaneously generated the conditions that led to enriched peasants who specialised in the “trade” of linking the aristocracy to the rare and precious goods they craved and desired. These “merchants” (burghers) were wealthy citizens living in towns and cities who could mimmick the aristocracy by dressing like them, sending their children to the same schools, and standing for Parliament. Eventually, so many were elected and empowered in this way (forming a new “middle class” termed the “bourgeoise”) that they raised an army, defeated and beheaded the King (Charles I) – and abolished the very institute of absolute monarchy that Henry thought he was saving.

china football super league

China: Socialist “Village Super League” [村超 – Cun Chao] Hosts Ethiopian Football Team! (1.1.2025)

Natnael Tamru, the Ethiopian team’s goalkeeper and a taxi driver visiting China for the first time, shared similar sentiments. The 33-year-old praised Rongjiang’s vibrant football atmosphere and said he hopes teams from the Village Super League will one day visit Ethiopia to share the joy of the sport.

During halftime, Ethiopian cheerleaders and Rongjiang’s ethnic minority groups performed on the court.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase our culture to China and help more people learn about Ethiopia,” said Beamlak Biruk, one of the cheerleaders.

“Football attracts people from around the world to share their cultures, and it also allows foreigners to explore Chinese culture,” said Dolla Mihretu Samuel, a member of the Ethiopian team. “Cun Chao has become a platform for communication between China and other countries.”

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