Other Games 2025-26

[Dave]

Ben White booed.

What’s the story with him anyway? He went home from a tournament due to personal reasons, anyone know why?

A disagreement with (coach under Southgate) Steve Holland. They were all sitting talking tactics, Holland asked Kyle Walker a question about Man City and Guardiola, which Walker answered in detail. Holland asked White the same thing about Arsenal and Arteta and White said that he didn't know.

Holland told White it's because he's not interested enough in football, which White thought was a bit disrespectful in front of the other players and so asked to leave the squad.

Sounds like a bit of something and nothing, but I think White had other personal stuff going on at the time. So *shrugs*.

[Nev]

People will have travelled the length of the country to watch this. Full credit.

This is a proper paper aeroplane game if ever I saw one.

I'm not saying it's a bad game, but Nev would rather watch Gloucester v Leicester at Villa Park.

Steady on, it can't have been that bad. I completely forgot it was taking place so might catch the highlights. Then again I probably won't.

[LeeB]

Ben White booed.

What’s the story with him anyway? He went home from a tournament due to personal reasons, anyone know why?

A disagreement with (coach under Southgate) Steve Holland. They were all sitting talking tactics, Holland asked Kyle Walker a question about Man City and Guardiola, which Walker answered in detail. Holland asked White the same thing about Arsenal and Arteta and White said that he didn't know.

Holland told White it's because he's not interested enough in football, which White thought was a bit disrespectful in front of the other players and so asked to leave the squad.

Sounds like a bit of something and nothing, but I think White had other personal stuff going on at the time. So *shrugs*.

Isn't White famously uninterested in football?

Feels a bit like he used that as an excuse not to do something he's not interested in and doesn't get paid for, but maybe hardly playing for Arsenal this season has changed his mind.

[Somniloquism]

Ugarte booked twice, but no red card.

Mistakes happen. It's the obvious bare faced lying I can't stand. Supposed to be a position of responsibility. File rescinded next to 5mm.

ITV's graphic was wrong. Ugarte wasn't booked the first time.

[Ads]

Ben White booed.

What’s the story with him anyway? He went home from a tournament due to personal reasons, anyone know why?

A disagreement with (coach under Southgate) Steve Holland. They were all sitting talking tactics, Holland asked Kyle Walker a question about Man City and Guardiola, which Walker answered in detail. Holland asked White the same thing about Arsenal and Arteta and White said that he didn't know.

Holland told White it's because he's not interested enough in football, which White thought was a bit disrespectful in front of the other players and so asked to leave the squad.

Sounds like a bit of something and nothing, but I think White had other personal stuff going on at the time. So *shrugs*.

Isn't White famously uninterested in football?

Feels a bit like he used that as an excuse not to do something he's not interested in and doesn't get paid for, but maybe hardly playing for Arsenal this season has changed his mind.

His faux hard man act, while looking like Deano from Dubai makes him especially suitable for playing for the biggest weirdos in the league.

[LeeB]

He's a 'hard man' in the image of the 'edgy' one they'd have in 90's boy bands, and yes is very much poster boy for that outfit.

[pauliewalnuts]

Ben White booed.

What’s the story with him anyway? He went home from a tournament due to personal reasons, anyone know why?

A disagreement with (coach under Southgate) Steve Holland. They were all sitting talking tactics, Holland asked Kyle Walker a question about Man City and Guardiola, which Walker answered in detail. Holland asked White the same thing about Arsenal and Arteta and White said that he didn't know.

Holland told White it's because he's not interested enough in football, which White thought was a bit disrespectful in front of the other players and so asked to leave the squad.

Sounds like a bit of something and nothing, but I think White had other personal stuff going on at the time. So *shrugs*.

Isn't White famously uninterested in football?

Feels a bit like he used that as an excuse not to do something he's not interested in and doesn't get paid for, but maybe hardly playing for Arsenal this season has changed his mind.

I respect White for having said that, tbh. He's just good at it, doesn't have to enjoy it.

I am good at managing troublesome software development teams in failing organisations with antiquated platforms and no desire to improve them, and I get paid relatively well to do it.

I don't like it, though.

[cdbearsfan]

It seems an odd reason to boo him, anyway.

[PeterWithesShin]

It was mainly Leeds fans there, him leaving the England team that time means he isn't a true patriot, and Leeds fans fon't like that.

[Sexual Ealing]

It seems an odd reason to boo him, anyway.

Quite. It’s not like he’s feeding hungry kids or anything terrible like that.

[olaftab]

It seems an odd reason to boo him, anyway.

its are national flag hes disrespecfull!!!1!!!11

[Stu]

Ben White booed.

What’s the story with him anyway? He went home from a tournament due to personal reasons, anyone know why?

A disagreement with (coach under Southgate) Steve Holland. They were all sitting talking tactics, Holland asked Kyle Walker a question about Man City and Guardiola, which Walker answered in detail. Holland asked White the same thing about Arsenal and Arteta and White said that he didn't know.

Holland told White it's because he's not interested enough in football, which White thought was a bit disrespectful in front of the other players and so asked to leave the squad.

Sounds like a bit of something and nothing, but I think White had other personal stuff going on at the time. So *shrugs*.

Isn't White famously uninterested in football?

Feels a bit like he used that as an excuse not to do something he's not interested in and doesn't get paid for, but maybe hardly playing for Arsenal this season has changed his mind.

I’m absolutely fascinated by professional footballers who are disinterested in the sport other than the money. I’m sure all of us on here remember being obsessed with the game from early childhood, playing headers and volleys at school, playing in weekend leagues etc. and dreaming of playing for the Villa.

Then you have greats like Gabriel Batistuta, who would have rather been playing polo and couldn’t be arsed with football outside of matches. Told his biographer that there’s not much point in talking about his career because all of the numbers are already available. Or Christian Vieri who told a load of French journalists at the 1998 World Cup that his sporting idol was Allan Border to widespread confusion and a few years later said he would pack up football altogether if he could get the same contract playing cricket.

At least they were honest that it was all about money but to get to that level of football and to not even be that arsed about it means they must have been extraordinarily talented.

[Dave]

It was mainly Leeds fans there, him leaving the England team that time means he isn't a true patriot, and Leeds fans fon't like that.

Leeds also tried to buy him from Brighton after he spent time on loan there and he ended up staying with Brighton.

Maybe they have animosity because of that too.

[PeterWithesShin]

I've said before that a friend of mine became good friends with Curcic when he joined us and Curcic hated football. He only played for the money as it was a way out for him and his family.

[Stu]

I suppose as a spoiled westerner I don’t have that perspective on the sport, it’s all about emotions for me.