This is a measured and damning thread from Sunder - you just have to continue reading past the first post which is obviously too much for some people.

Sunder Katwala (sundersays)@sundersays.bsky.social · 2d ago

66 seems a young age for Rod Liddle to die. Talented comic writer, insightful about football.obvs took much pleasure in transgressing political correctness But just lied when caught being much more indefensibly racist+ sexist online in his Millwallmonkey persona www.theguardian.com/media/2026/a...

Drops of water falling from the sky. What sorcery is this?

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Inu Manak@inumanak.bsky.social · 2d ago

I am excited to join @piie.com, where I will continue to advance my research on U.S. trade policy alongside a leading group of experts committed to advancing global prosperity and developing practical policy solutions to contemporary economic challenges.

IIRC Emily Wilson was on my staircase in the first year of university and came by a couple of times for a cup of tea. She seemed nice. This does not shake my determination to have no views on her critique of the Odyssey film nor anyone's critique of her critique.

Ciaran Martin@ciaranm.bsky.social · 4d ago

All this controversial stuff about The Nolan Odyssey movie and the Wilson LRB review etc don’t care 👇 #therightnottocare @alanbeattie.bsky.social

YIL that when a baby Komodo dragon hatches from its shell the mother typically tries to eat it, whereupon it legs it up the nearest tree and lives for years off insects and birds' eggs before descending. KEY LEARNING: Even by the standards of venomous reptiles, Komodo dragons are absolute wankers.

Buses, famously for the richer classes and upper orders.

Northern PM for two days and already imposing flat caps.

Sky News@news.sky.com · 2w ago

The £2 bus fare cap in most areas of England will be reinstated from January.

A bit from me about how the new northern No 10 is taking shape (and how Whitehall seems to be trying to Manchesterify) as.ft.com/r/a2d0b7a7-3...

Andy Burnham’s ‘Number 10 North’ is already up and running

Government intends Manchester office to be ‘engine room of devolution and good growth in every postcode’

as.ft.com

Text comes in. I whoop. “What is it?” everyone says. “My blood pressure and uric acid levels are in the target range!” Great rejoicing. Might celebrate with six pints of Guinness and a big salty dish of liver and kidney later. #middledagedvictories

Classless to the last. Only missing the Falklands banner for the full graceless-loser effect.

And here is Jude Bellingham’s mum

This is the part I really don't understand, in the end. He's the GOAT, but he also wears the armband & does apparently nothing to change the constant ugly behavior of his team, tournament after tournament, & escapes all criticism for it.

mtsw@mtsw.bsky.social · 2w ago

like the way Messi is just magically absolved for the shitty conduct of his teammates on and off the pitch is really something. he's the captain!

Argentina.

Trump on stage with the World Cup Winners

Genuinely looks as though the Spain team have brought along a satirical cardboard cutout for a laugh.

Joe Noonan@joenoonan.bsky.social · 2w ago

Ian Wright saying we shouldn’t forget the way the Iranian team and the Somali referee were treated. Correct.

Messi is like the soft-spoken gang boss who says things like, “While I personally abhor violence, some of my associates may be less fastidious.”

Julianna 💎@batariangal.eurosky.social · 2w ago

BBC panel talking about the post-whistle Argentina scrap taking a moment to talk about Messi being gracious in defeat and, ngl, as a tourist, I feel like that guys gets way too much of a free pass

“Spain has led Europe in the installation of renewable power generation and there was plenty of energy on display today….” Really, you’re welcome.

Gotta be a lifetime ban for Paredes. What a piece of work

Just give Argentina a one-World Cup ban, we’ll see them cheating and kicking and diving again in 2034.

Yes, Argentina the first ever World Cup finalist to not have a shot in the 90 minutes.

A mate went on an FA reffing course once and they told them (unofficially) to give something petty in the first few minutes, insist on a throw-in being retaken etc, let the players know you’re there so you don’t have to spend the game hauling them back. This ref has done the opposite.

It’s notable that Spain instituted the latifundia system, where they occupied a lot of land but didn’t produce much with it.

Alexander Clarkson@aphclarkson.bsky.social · 2w ago

It is a little known fact that the Spanish Empire was conquered through blood, sweat and tedium

Simone: yellow card. Just no doubt about it. It’s like they’re playing under different rules or being marked on a curve.

It’s their default mode of action. Default, geddit? Default.

Kieran Healy@kjhealy.co · 2w ago

Argentinian levels of panicky instability, tendencies toward violence, and desperate appeals to authorities to bail them out all increasing as pressure comes on, much as often happens in their economy.

Hydration break.

The Argentina behavior on every foul - encircling the ref & yelling at him - is illegal & no other team does it as comprehensively & often as they do, & it should not be tolerated.

Wayne Rooney there…

Muppets Statler And Waldorf Criticize Show

ALT: Muppets Statler And Waldorf Criticize Show

static.klipy.com

Stephen Bush@stephenkb.bsky.social · 2w ago

Speak for England, Wayne!

Sorry, this bbc ad has properly rubbed me the wrong way, love the bbc usually but right now I'd push a button to scrap the licence fee overnight. It is simultaneously smug *and* desperate.