Anthony Doyle

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

FIFA undermines the credibility of its disciplinary process and the authority of its referees with its special treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s undeniably one of the greats of the game, a fabulous footballer (if in inevitable decline at 40), hugely important for Fifa in marketing and spreading the game through his 1bn social media followers, and a Messi-Ronaldo last dance at the World Cup is a dream for Fifa and TV. But justice should be blind to status and commercial value. 

Fifa could have gained some respect by punishing Ronaldo properly as they do other players. And Portugal would surely survive the group stage without Ronaldo for two games, which should have been his punishment for violent conduct. Ronaldo elbowed Dara O’Shea in the back, was initially given a yellow card which was rightly upgraded to a red by VAR for violent conduct which usually brings a three-match ban. So Fifa has effectively undermined VAR.

Ronaldo has already served one game, with Fifa now suspending the other two for a year. How convenient. USA, land of the freed. Fifa did get Messi into the Club World Cup...

And will any player sent off in the March play-offs expect similar clemency from Fifa?

It was Ronaldo’s first dismissal in 226 internationals, an impressive disciplinary record, that bought him sympathy from Gianni Infantino’s organisation. Fifa says in its statement that “if Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension set out in the disciplinary decision shall be deemed automatically revoked and the remaining two matches must be served immediately”.

The key word here is “gravity”. Fifa admits the seriousness of Ronaldo’s offence and yet punishes him lightly. A good day for marketing. A bad day for discipline.

[Anthony Doyle @AntoDoyle1976]

@RPJSmith @TomMcTague @TheseTimesPod @HelenHet20 @freddiesayers Echo @RPJSmith
It was unmissable and you gelled together from the start making a great combination.

I'll miss it...

[Anthony Doyle @AntoDoyle1976]

@RPJSmith @HelenHet20 @TomMcTague @TheseTimesPod @freddiesayers Ahhh no
@HelenHet20 stop creating my next favourite podcast and then ending them..

Always insightful and thought-provoking, I learned a lot listening to the podcasts. These times are sad times... you will be missed ..

[Brian Krassenstein @krassenstein]

REMINDER: If you invested $13,000 in Melania Trump’s crypto scheme just a 6 weeks ago, your balance is now $670.

Congratulations! You’ve been scammed by the First Family.

[Richard Woodruff 🇺🇦 @frontlinekit]

French senator perfectly describes the Trump situation.

[Adam Boulton @adamboultonTABB]

What a piece of shit JD Vance is

[Anthony Doyle @AntoDoyle1976]

@paddypower Stop apologies after 9pm at least... I guarantee my kids heard worse every time he won a leg or set

[Anthony Doyle @AntoDoyle1976]

@rtenews Poor performance
Very negative tactics but wales weren't much better
Shame

Great crowd and as good an atmosphere in the last 15 as I've seen in the Avuva for years

[Anthony Doyle @AntoDoyle1976]

@tomflynn_photo No idea
Nailed on pen

[Niall Ferguson @nfergus]

We're nearing peak humanity. Always worth reading @jburnmurdoch in the @FT: https://t.co/TVBI7rAr2K This was my take back in March: https://t.co/zCrL2oHrQy

[Anthony Doyle @AntoDoyle1976]

@RPJSmith @PhysInHistory All of them
In fact, anything from Douglas Adams
My favourite book of all time

[Robert Smith @RPJSmith]

Rather childishly (and unoriginal I know) but I couldn't help but rearrange the display at Waterstones Cardiff yesterday to express my continued loathing of this incompetent oath. With thanks to @RoryStewartUK , @jessphillips , @IanDunt , @TorstenBell @susie_dent and @mermhart

[Robert Smith @RPJSmith]

👇 A must listen for anyone interested in all things US election (oh, and the survival of American democracy and international relations / peace at the same time).

[Anthony Doyle @AntoDoyle1976]

@LufcVancouver @mickvan14 age you bastard

[Anthony Doyle @AntoDoyle1976]

@vincentbrowne A national treasure.
Always admired her.

[Ian O'Riordan @ianoriordan]

She’s gone and done it

[Juani Jimena @JimenaJuani]

Marcelo Bielsa angry against Conmebol: They are a plague of liars!!! 🤬😡

I will always be on the Marcelo Bielsa side of the world 💪💪💪

Follow me for more football videos with English Subtitles!!

[Newell's Old Boys - English News @Newells_en]

"Football is the property of the people. The poor have very little access to happiness, they do not have the money to buy happiness. Football, which is one of the few things that the poorest maintain, but they longer have it."

- Marcelo Bielsa's press conference yesterday 🇺🇾

[LUFC Worldwide ⚪️ @LUFC_WorldWide]

Every football fan should spend 2 minutes watching this video.

Bielsa talking about the current state of football. Very poignant as we watch the worst European Championship of our generation

[Jonathan Pie @JonathanPieNews]

Looking back on 14 years of the Tories is like looking back at the traumatising post-vindaloo shit you just did in the toilet.