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No true Scotsman

Premier LeagueChelseaEnglandUSA
I love Football365, and not just because they once published an essay of mine which got picked up elsewhere and made me a professional writer for the first time. Especially good is the Mediawatch section, and a recent item highlights the kind of joy they bring:
We're sure you've already read it, but if not, [John] Terry said: "I can speak about the England lads and the England team and it (diving) is something we don't do. "I think sometimes we're too honest because sometimes, even in the Premiership, you see the English lads get a bit of contact and try and stay on their feet and try and score from the chance they've been given." Sigh. Do we really need to do this? We do?
Click here and scroll down to see the long list of counter-examples. Seriously, there's nothing funnier than anyone defending his countrymen against charges of diving, since it's so easily proven wrong and obvious. That said, I do think the US players are far better than average. Cough. Later in the same column:
'England must do it Chelsea style, says JT' - CityAM. Yeah, nicking all the best young players from around the world would help, but we're not sure how it would work. Unless JT just means that England aren't allowed to do transfers...
Hee hee.

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Posted by Auguste on 08:27 PM • Permalink

I don’t think it’s a ‘No True Scotsman’ until Terry claims that the English players who were caught diving are secretly Welsh.  Or something.

Oh, and speaking as a Chelsea supporter: ouch.

Comment #1: Alex, FCD  on  09/08  at  11:48 AM

No, the “No True Scotsman” fallacy refers to the idea that “The Scotsman who did this awful thing is not up to Scotland’s usual standards.” And yes, that’s just implied in Terry’s comment; if the English lads don’t dive, then any English diver must be letting the side down. Hence, no true Englishman. Or Scotsman.

And yeah, I also realize I’m whistling past the graveyard teasing Chelsea, because United (among others) is already being accused of similar crimes. Would be interesting to see the entire big 4 (plus?) given the death penalty. I’m not hoping for it, for obvious reasons, but it’d be interesting to see the level of equalization that might take place.

Comment #2: Auguste  on  09/08  at  12:50 PM

Ah, yes I can see the “players who dive are not in the English spirit of honesty and good sportsmanship and the security of puppies” NTS. 

Breaking: Liverpool accused of poaching.  I’m starting to think a few FIFA smack-downs to the big clubs would do football in general a bit of good.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/crewe_alexandra/8241607.stm

Comment #3: Alex, FCD  on  09/08  at  02:43 PM

Alex, I’m with you. A smackdown would be nice. Plus, imagine Chelsea, Liverpool, Man U, et al, coming out of a lengthy transfer ban like a bunch of sailors on a first leave in a year, drunk with power, the cash they saved during the ban burning a hole in their pockets, and embarking on a free-for-all shopping spree? It would be the transfer window to rule them all!

Comment #4: elena  on  09/08  at  11:23 PM

Hey, maybe if the big 4 DO all get bans, they’ll fall towards the middle of the table for a few years and we can stop getting shit for being front-runners.

Still hoping not.

Comment #5: Auguste  on  09/09  at  12:05 AM

So that’s Chelsea convicted of poaching with Man U and Liverpool credibly accused? Yeesh. Something tells me there’s a systemic issue in British football here…

Comment #6: Jeff  on  09/09  at  03:36 PM

The red army will stop getting shit for being the red army the day the earth opens up and swallows us all.

They could fall to the second division and they would be worthy of hatred and scorn.  Beasts.  Beasts.

APS

Comment #7: Ape Man  on  09/10  at  01:05 AM
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