This is what philosopher and goalkeeper Albert Camus had to say on the beautiful game. It would be very interesting to know his opinion on the state of the current English premiership. This week Iraq's unexpected victory in the Asian cup with a team of Sunnis, Shias, & Kurds reminded us of the often positive effect of football. So who would begrudge flooded English football fans the right to look forward to the forthcoming football season.

But a debate is growing about the criteria of the new breed of Premiership owners. The former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's recent takeover of Manchester City has lead both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch to question whether he is a "fit and proper person" to own such a club. This refers to the league rules on who is allowed to take over a premier league club. (more below)

From the diaries (with format edit) ~ whataboutbob

My first read on ET was Jerome's excellent post France is not in decline, impressed by further reading on this website since has lead me to finally posting my own perspective. Though i'm not an economist i have spent many years living in the UK and have recently moved to France so i can give a personal opinion on the two countries.

What was most striking of the UK press coverage of the French election was the repeated mantra that the UK economic model was superior to the tired French social model. It shouldn't be too much of a surprise that well paid London based journalists are disconnected from the realities of life in UKplc. But surely the guardian journalists are aware of the view of their economic's editor, Larry Elliott, on the Blair/Brown legacy. (taken from Guardian Larry Eliott)

Where does the UK fit in this world of changing economic geography, in which nations will increasingly concentrate on the things they do best? The answer is simple. We count the money and we do the bullshit.

From the diaries - afew