Things In Football That Grind Your Gears

The huddle. Nonsense

Newbies referring to winning or losing games 1-3.

He always was. He kept is somewhat under wraps previously because he didn't go as public as Ronaldo but plenty to suggest he's always been a wanker. Some of his carry on at Barcelona showed that he has a massive ego and expected far more influence than he should have been afforded as a mere player, there was his hissy fit with the Argentine FA and he's been sent off for some seriously petulant stuff, in addition to obnoxious behaviour on the pitch (grabbing the ball and immediately going to the penalty spot after he collided with Sczseny in the WC springs to mind).

He's the best player and he's delivered an amazing amount but the mask has slipped and he's showing us all how much of a git he really is.

I was just discussing this with a family member, as its a pet hate of ours.

Tradition counts for nothing in football nowadays. I think teams should always play in their home colours, unless it causes a clash. You know, like the old days! Bayern always in red at home, and red away too unless the home team wears red or a clashing colour. Real Madrid always in white, Utd always in red, you get the gist.

But no, teams seem to wear anything these days. I recently watched Bayern at home wearing some weird green kit.

That we can't even get into November before all these leaks around the 2025-26 kit are out there already.

Our national broadcaster not broadcasting matches featuring Irish teams in European competition.

Premier Sports in Ireland bought the rights for it, its not like RTE will know a team will make it to conference league when going for the rights

I understand the need for segregation but what a stupid place to do it!

Defenders diving and it never generating the same level of outrage as attackers. Prime example was just on half time in the Arsenal v Liverpool match. Gabriel in the corner, Nunez applies a little bit of pressure, backs off and then Gabriel throws himself to the ground and gets a cheap free kick.

It happens all the time, every team, every week. It's the most annoying non-important thing in football. It just gets glossed over and forgotten about because it didn't lead to a penalty/dangerous free-kick but it's just as bad.

More the linesmen who are standing 2 yards away who are giving them

This whole phenomenon forms part of the new "dark arts" of football over the last few seasons, and it's an absolute scourge!

Teams know refs will give "softer" frees easier in so called non threatening areas, so teams just use this referring flaw to draw these fouls, Arsenal and Newcastle use it to great affect to wind down the clock, and slow any momentum that maybe going against them. Notice how these defenders will always require some form of treatment off the back of these nothing tackles...

Celebrations when teams win a trophy.

I just watched Shelbourne win the LOI and the celebration was exactly the same as what you see every time someone has won anything for the last God knows how long.

Singing "Championes ole ole ole" and this holding out there hands , shaking them with this wooooooooooo as the captain lifts the cup from ground level to above their head.

Is there no one in the world that could suggest a different celebration at a cup giving to a team that they could do and still enjoy the moment.

If a team is losing by two goals and they score late on. The player will grab the ball out of the net and rush back to the centre circle with it so kick-off is not delayed.

All very well but if that goal put them into the lead they wouldn't do it.

1. England's 3pm blackout

2. VAR

I'm a simple man

I don't see any reason why you should want to prevent fans from seeing their team play. Especially when it's broadcast around the world for foreigners to watch.

It's nonsense. If you have 3pm as the time for all lower league games then the solution is obvious: don't schedule any PL game at 3pm. That's what happens in Germany