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JamieMCFC wrote:Lampardgate: Where are MLS and New York City FC?

EDITORIAL - So let me get this straight — the opinions of U.S. Men’s National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann were so severe that Don Garber had to field an embarrassing impromptu press call to address the situation, but no one is coming forward to clarify this New York City FC Frank Lampard debacle?

If ever there was a time for Garber to demonstrate his promise of transparency, this is it.

We are now on the third day of Lampardgate, and all anyone can come up with is conjecture and secondary reporting to explain the entire mess. By now, it is almost an accepted fact that Lampard never had a contract with New York City FC. That, in turn, means Lampard never had a contract with Major League Soccer. That means both NYCFC and MLS have lied to us.

All of us.

And no one is answering for their role.

People can grind their axe against NYCFC all they want, but MLS is complicit in this entire fiasco, and that alone should require some form of response.

So why is everyone so quiet?

Is it the embarrassment of MLS starting their 20th year by feeding into their interminable minor league image? Are both organizations just tossing the ball around to figure out who will fall on their sword for the greater good of American soccer?

The silence is deafening, and the only folks who are made to suffer are those who support the beautiful game across America. Oh yes, this is bigger than just the Third Rail. This is larger than the nearly 12,000 season ticket holders who have plunked down their nonrefundable deposits to support a second New York team. This is bigger than New York soccer.

Lampardgate is about MLS. About American soccer. NYCFC aren’t the only ones made to look like second class “Citizens” in this entire affair. On their 20th anniversary, and just seven short years from Garber’s goal to make the league a global player, MLS is looking as plastic and propped up as ever, quietly sitting in a $100 million dollar cash pool while City Football Group circumvents Fair Play rules to meet their own ends.

No wonder Garber was so elusive about the Lampard situation in his recent Reuters interview. “All player personnel decisions are made by the club. I have great confidence in the management in New York and the ownership and their representatives,” he said. “I am sure in due time they will be able to deal with this issue but it is not something that the league is going to weigh in on in any way.” Nevermind the fact that all player contracts get ratified by the MLS offices. Nevermind the long and illustrious history of MLS involvement in player acquisition (Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley anyone?!).

Yes, player personnel decisions were taken by NYCFC — but when was MLS going to tell us they weren’t in the loop?

At this point, media members have grown accustomed to the clandestine operations of NYCFC. Whether by choice, lack of infrastructure, or mandate, New York’s latest professional franchise has kept everything close to the vest. Even the simplest requests seem to go ignored and unexplained — and frustratingly so.

Sadly, this behavior has come to be accepted.

MLS, however, has no excuse. NYCFC is making a laughing stock of the league with this Lampard situation and the controversy deserves more response then Garber washing his hands of the entire affair. Instead of celebrating 20 years of growth in the domestic professional soccer realm, we are reminded just how far off MLS is from being a global player.

That seems slightly more detrimental than Klinsmann encouraging players to test themselves in the highest levels of professional soccer, doesn’t it?

Someone needs to take a leadership role. Someone has to take responsibility. Someone has to speak for this black eye on MLS and American soccer.

Now who is it going to be? The MLS Commissioner? Or the tone deaf people who tweeted this mere hours after their franchise was dragged through the mud?

http://www.empireofsoccer.com/lampardga ... ork-31195/

Peter Doherty (AGAIG) wrote:I smell a rag-like sense of self-entitlement.

JamieMCFC wrote:

Peter Doherty (AGAIG) wrote:I smell a rag-like sense of self-entitlement.

No you smell someone from New York. But I understand where they are coming from. NYCFC has lied to their fans and the media since the team was announced. The way Ted and Spartacus has described the structure of the CFG and the fans should just accept it. That wasn't has been coming from NYCFC marketing/PR team.

Im_Spartacus wrote:

JamieMCFC wrote:

Peter Doherty (AGAIG) wrote:I smell a rag-like sense of self-entitlement.

No you smell someone from New York. But I understand where they are coming from. NYCFC has lied to their fans and the media since the team was announced. The way Ted and Spartacus has described the structure of the CFG and the fans should just accept it. That wasn't has been coming from NYCFC marketing/PR team.

If the NYCFC fans have been told something different about their position in CFG which gives them any reason to think that they are an equal patner in this relationship, I would be open to hearing the sources.

The last lines of the article above, about secrecy etc, sounds more like the press taking the huff about what we have come to appreciate at City after decades of circus antics in the media, the club going about its business quietly and efficiently and without media fanfare. Again, this 'secrecy' seems more to me like the 'fans' and the media have completely misjudged the way CFG operate and are expecting some sort of full public admission of the group's competetive strategy.

I do however feel that the fans are owed an explanation, although I myself had wondered in the last few days about the role of MLS in all this and think the article is fair in that both parties need to come clean about whether fans have been misled.

CTID Hants wrote:Premier League clarify Lampard situation

The Premier League have announced they have no problems over Manchester City's contract with Frank Lampard.

As 2014 came to a close, there was some confusion as to how the Blues had managed to extend the midfielder's stay at the Etihad and have him registered for their New Year's Day game.

While there has been talk over who Lampard has signed a contract with, the Premier League say they have assurances that the player has no agreement with teams other than the Blues.

“Frank Lampard is registered as a Manchester City player until the end of the 2014/15 season," a statement read.

“The Premier League has sought and received assurances from Manchester City that there is no agreement in place between the Club or City Football Group with New York City FC relating to the player.”
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... on-8407664?

City64 wrote:

CTID Hants wrote:Premier League clarify Lampard situation

The Premier League have announced they have no problems over Manchester City's contract with Frank Lampard.

As 2014 came to a close, there was some confusion as to how the Blues had managed to extend the midfielder's stay at the Etihad and have him registered for their New Year's Day game.

While there has been talk over who Lampard has signed a contract with, the Premier League say they have assurances that the player has no agreement with teams other than the Blues.

“Frank Lampard is registered as a Manchester City player until the end of the 2014/15 season," a statement read.

“The Premier League has sought and received assurances from Manchester City that there is no agreement in place between the Club or City Football Group with New York City FC relating to the player.”
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... on-8407664?

The official now fuck off you American cunts and media slugs statement from the Premier League

How very nice of them . Just need Maureen to choke on it aswell now :-)

Blue Since 76 wrote:Should we demand an apology from Wenger or threaten him with being sued for slander?

Blue Since 76 wrote:Should we demand an apology from Wenger or threaten him with being sued for slander?

zuricity wrote:

Blue Since 76 wrote:Should we demand an apology from Wenger or threaten him with being sued for slander?

What has the tw*t in the hat done now ??

Beefymcfc wrote:Looks like SFF/City have released a statement to the MEN. To me, it sounds like he did have a contract with NYCFC but also had a sub-contract with us.

The statement read:

"I want to make it completely clear about my situation as I have read a lot of lies and nonsense over the last few days.

"When released from Chelsea last year at the end of my contract I signed a commitment to play in NYCFC for two years starting January 1st 2015.

"I was then offered the chance to train and be part of the Man City squad in the interim to keep myself in the best shape going into New York.

"This period has since been extended by Man City and I now will start playing for NYCFC at the end of this current Premier League season.

"There has always been a constant dialogue between all parties in this time to find the best solution for everyone.

"I can say that I am very excited about arriving in New York and giving everything to the team to make us a success in the MLS as soon as possible.

"Thanks everyone for you ongoing support and I wish everyone a healthy and happy 2015!."

Ted Hughes wrote:They say it's wrong we should hold onto their player & are blaming us for all kinds of stuff. But it transpires, he's actually our player who we will eventually allow to go over there.

Their argument is therefore with their own club, not with us. Unless of course they see themselves as just an offshoot of our club. In which case; shut up then, you know how it works. They can't have it both ways.

Either they are independant & therefore it's their own club they have a problem with, or they are part of our club, in which case we come first.