By Ian Grant
Wenger against golden goal
Arsene Wenger has come out against the golden goal in an Elite Coaching Forum in Geneva.
“People have been educated to the fact there should be a result within a certain amount of time,” he said.
“We believe it’s part of the excitement of the game to see how a team reacts if they are 10 down in extra-time.
“You could see during the European Cup final in May involving Bayern and Valencia, the referee [Dick Jol] was under huge pressure. He knew any decision he made could prove critical.
“We all think it doesn’t encourage an attacking game. Players become defensive because they are frightened of making a mistake.”
Suggestions for a replacement included simply reverting to the old format of 30 minutes’ added-on time, or adopting a method similar to basketball where there are two separate 15-minute periods.
Wenger was in good company. He was with Rexach, Del Bosque, Lippi, and Capello. O’Leary, and Houllier were also there, but Hitzfelt and Ferguson were absent.
Doherty case
The Tom Doherty case, where the 23 year-old Arsenal supporter, was seen on television aiming a kick at a Turk, at last year’s UEFA cup final in Copenhagen between Arsenal and Galatasaray and was subsequently sacked by the Post Office could be used in legal circles to defend employees unfairly sacked through lifestyle discrimination.
Doherty took his complaint of unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal and won.
Maier attacks Seaman
The old German international has said David Seaman is past it and shouldn’t play for England.
“David Seaman is past his best,” said Sepp Maier.