"My sense is that players and manufacturers would have a lot of difficulty, as courts generally defer to unilaterally-imposed sports league rules," according to Ryan Rodenberg, assistant professor of sport law at Florida State University.For more, click here. For another take in Golf.com, click here.
. . . .
Rodenberg likens this case the "spaghetti-string" tennis case from 30 years ago, Gunter Harz v. USTA.
"The judge in the Gunter Harz district court case (before it got to the court of appeals), ruling in favor of the USTA's ban on spaghetti strung rackets, posited that 'the court is not to substitute its own judgment for the of the ITF or the USTA,' " Rodenberg wrote in an email.
Ryan Rodenberg on Putter Ban
Sports Law Blog writer Ryan Rodenberg speaks to USA Today:
Marvin Miller - The Most Significant Figure in Baseball in the Past 50 Years?
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| Professor Ed Edmonds |
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Marvin Miller - The Most Significant Figure in Baseball in the Past 50 Years?
There have been no shortage of articles this past week honoring the passing of the legendary leader of the MLBPA Marvin Miller at age 95. Many writers have noted that he was possibly the most significant figure in baseball over the past half-century. I certain agree that he belongs in any conversation about that topic, and I point to an earlier post on this blog by Howard Wasserman regarding his place in sports law history. I will not attempt to go through the compilation of Miller’s many accomplishments because so many of you know and teach about this on a regular basis.
Let me take up one point that comes together with the thoughts of Murray Chass, the long-time writer for the New York Times. By the way, if you do not regularly read Mr. Chass’s writings on Murray Chass . . . On Baseball, I highly recommend it. Murray Chass posits that perhaps Miller can now be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame because the owners and other management personnel will not be subjected to his acceptance speech or because their hatred for the man who led the players to some freedom over their playing careers and significantly better pay and working conditions would not allow them to vote into the Hall a man who so rightly deserves to be there. I only need to mention the additional shun shown Miller when the Hall opened its doors to Bowie Kuhn.How ironic is it that Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Sammy Sosa appear this week for the first time on a Hall of Fame ballot? We are finally at the point so many have waited for to determine how the voters will actually deal with the steroid era candidates. There will be a renewed conversation about the integrity of the induction process if Bonds, Clemens, and Sosa are allowed the honor of enshrinement. My point is a simple one: If anyone is really concerned about the “integrity” of the membership in the Baseball Hall of Fame, the exclusion of Miller needs to be addressed. Marvin Miller’s bitterness over his non-election sparked comments from him that he would not have accepted the honor in his final few years. Perhaps now everyone can agree to do not only the honorable thing, but an honest thing. To not have a plaque to Marvin Miller in the National Baseball Hall of Fame is a grievous oversight. Let’s hope that it is remedied soon.
Legal implications of the proposed ban on belly putters
Here's an excerpt:
But McCann quickly adds that it's an unpersuasive argument. The USGA and the R&A would argue that they have decisive rule-making authority. They would also contend that it's reasonable for them to alter the rules, and the PGA Tour would argue that it's reasonable to abide by those rules.
"Courts give leagues a tremendous amount of latitude in rules of play" he says. "It's one thing to say there is a new restriction on free agency and that it's not collectively bargained, or there is a salary cap change; it's another to change the rules of play. Courts are pretty deferential, and I think any type of lawsuit would be unlikely to prevail."
McCann pointed out, however, that in the early 1990s, a group of golfers led by Bob Gilder joined Ping and won a favorable settlement from the USGA and the PGA Tour after Ping Eye 2 irons were banned. That club's square grooves had been ruled to have a performance-enhancing effect, but the players rebutted that argument by citing data that showed golfers using the club earned less than those who did not use it. The case ended in a settlement that allowed the club but required different grooves in future models.
That precedent may seem to favor a player inclined to sue, but McCann cautions that the player would have to show statistics that indicated that belly putters were not providing an unfair advantage.
To read the rest, click here.
The ACC Sues Maryland over Exit Fee
The Washington Post has obtained a copy of the ACC's complaint, available here. In the lawsuit, the conference alleges that Maryland president Wallace Loh -- a former dean of the University of Washington Law School -- has "refused to provide assurance" that the school would honor the exit fee. The complaint also points to statements made by Loh back in September, in which he contended that the ACC's exit fee could be legally unenforceable.
Indeed, Maryland can argue that the ACC's fee is an unlawful penalty under traditional contract law principles. Specifically, courts will generally refuse to enforce liquidated damages provisions (like the ACC's exit fee) when the clause goes beyond simply compensating the non-breaching party for its anticipated financial injury and instead unfair penalizes the breaching party (I have summarized the law regarding the enforceability of liquidated damages provisions in the related context of college football scheduling agreements and coaching contracts in a law review article available here on pages 21-23).
Maryland can thus plausibly argue that the ACC's exit fee -- set to three times the entire conference's annual operating budget -- goes beyond mere compensation and rises to the level of an unlawful penalty. The school can also point to the fact that the ACC's fee appears to be significantly larger than that imposed by any other conference in the country (the SEC notably has no exit fee). Meanwhile, expect the ACC to argue that the total damage inflicted on the conference by a defecting university is so significant, and yet hard to precisely calculate, that a $52 million fee is within the realm of being reasonable.
I anticipate that Maryland and the ACC will ultimately settle the case out of court, likely for less than the full amount owed (as Missouri, Texas A&M, Syracuse, and Pitt each did following their recent defections to new conferences). In fact, I suspect the ACC likely opted to file its suit on Tuesday in a favorable forum in hopes of obtaining some leverage in the ensuing negotiations, thereby preempting a potential suit by Maryland in a local state court. You may recall that West Virginia University and the Big East conference both filed dueling lawsuits against one another in 2011 after the school announced it was departing for the Big XII, lawsuits that were ultimately settled earlier this year. On the other hand, it is also possible that the ACC may refuse to settle for anything less than the entire $52 million in order to try to prevent other schools from leaving the league.
Others' thoughts on Marvin Miller
I don't have a whole lot to say about the life of Marvin Miller, who died on Tuesday at age 95, other than that Miller might be the most significant figure in sports law; in fact, by introducing true labor law in sports, he arguably invented the field. Ironic, given that he was not a lawyer.
Instead, have a look at this piece by Tim Marchman in Slate, which argues that Miller achieved success by taking incremental steps, waiting for the right moment to attack the big issues (he was union head for almost a decade before the reserve clause fell, although he recognized that as a winning issue immediately), and being fortunate enough to go up against generally incompetent people on the other side of the table.
Instead, have a look at this piece by Tim Marchman in Slate, which argues that Miller achieved success by taking incremental steps, waiting for the right moment to attack the big issues (he was union head for almost a decade before the reserve clause fell, although he recognized that as a winning issue immediately), and being fortunate enough to go up against generally incompetent people on the other side of the table.
Majoring in college sports
Last year, I wrote about a proposal by Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post to allow college athletes to major in their sport, building a (hopefully) rigorous curriculum around participation on the team. Now here is David Pargman, an emeritus professor of educational psychology (and a self-described sports fan) making a similar proposal in Monday's Chronicle of Higher Education (H/T: Deadspin). Like Jenkins, Pargman uses performing arts majors as the analogue. He goes one step further and lays out what the last two years of the program would look like, with the first two years spent in basic studies. The advantage of this, Pargman argues, is honesty--students, coaches, family members, and universities all can openly acknowledge exactly why these young men and women (mostly men) are on campus.
As I wrote last time, this is an interesting idea with some potential, but the devil is in the details. Ultimately, my deepest question is whether this solution addresses the real problem facing college athletics. Pargman argues that not forcing student-athletes to pick a major in which they are not interested--when they really want to study their sport and become a professional athlete--is "integral" to a good portion of the other travesties that surround college sports. But is forcing a football player to major in, say, "Leisure Studies" really integral to all the other problems? Or are the real problems that 1) many of these people have no interest in being in college or studying at all, regardless of what classes they can take or what they can declare as a major, and 2) universities and coaches are making boatloads of money because of the skills of these students and the students are not seeing a dime. Honesty in their major does not change that.
Which is not to reject the proposal out of hand. It is just to emphasize that the problems inherent in college sport go much deeper than this.
As I wrote last time, this is an interesting idea with some potential, but the devil is in the details. Ultimately, my deepest question is whether this solution addresses the real problem facing college athletics. Pargman argues that not forcing student-athletes to pick a major in which they are not interested--when they really want to study their sport and become a professional athlete--is "integral" to a good portion of the other travesties that surround college sports. But is forcing a football player to major in, say, "Leisure Studies" really integral to all the other problems? Or are the real problems that 1) many of these people have no interest in being in college or studying at all, regardless of what classes they can take or what they can declare as a major, and 2) universities and coaches are making boatloads of money because of the skills of these students and the students are not seeing a dime. Honesty in their major does not change that.
Which is not to reject the proposal out of hand. It is just to emphasize that the problems inherent in college sport go much deeper than this.
The Contractual Implications of Auburn Firing Gene Chizik
Anticipating Chizik's likely termination, the Columbus (GA) Ledger-Enquirer explored Auburn's contractual commitments to its football coaching staff, as well as the general trends in football coaches' buyout provisions nationally, in a story last week. Here is an excerpt:
A June 2011 release by Win AD stated of the coaches who were dismissed in 2010 or 2011 with buyout clauses written into their contracts, 70 percent of those buyouts were based on their remaining total or base salary.You can check out the full story (including quotes from myself and Rick Karcher) by clicking here.
The other 30 percent were guaranteed a partial take on their full salary -- either a certain amount of money per month or year remaining on the contract, a percentage of the remaining base salary, or one year's total or base salary.
Loss of NHL games with Gary Bettman as Commissioner
Updated for NHL's additional cancellation of games on Dec. 10, 2012: As of December 10, the NHL has cancelled 526 of the 1230 regular season games scheduled for the 2012-13 NHL season. 10.1% 9.5% of regular season games under Gary Bettman have been cancelled. No other commissioner is close and even when they are combined, they aren't close.
Back in October, I tweeted about loss of regular season games by commissioner by percent and in the aggregate. With the 2012-13 NHL season on the brink (as Nathaniel Grow explained), I figured it might be helpful to see some updated math.
Here are my calculations for NHL commissioner Gary Bettman:
Total: 22,781 1698 = 7.4% of games cancelled through 2011-12 season.
Key Take Away:
While context matters and while blame should be shared with owners and players, it's hard to escape these numbers when compared to other leagues' commissioners: Far more games have been lost under Bettman's watch than have been lost under commissioners of the NFL, NBA and MLB.
In fact, no games have been lost under Roger Goodell’s leadership (6 years on the job), and just 2% of games have been lost under the leadership of David Stern (28 years on the job) and Bud Selig (20 years on the job). Those commissioners can certainly be criticized for many things, but they have succeeded in ensuring that scheduled games are played. Games being played is obviously not only a concern for owners and players - the two groups who have the authority to resolve a labor dispute. It's also one for those who have no formal say at the bargaining table: fans who buy tickets, networks that enter into broadcasting contracts to televise games, and apparel stores and restaurants that enter into business contracts assuming they will generate business from games being played.
If Bettman's games lost percent rises to 12%, it will be a percent of games much higher than all of the other commissioners combined -- and it's already higher as it is.
Back in October, I tweeted about loss of regular season games by commissioner by percent and in the aggregate. With the 2012-13 NHL season on the brink (as Nathaniel Grow explained), I figured it might be helpful to see some updated math.
Here are my calculations for NHL commissioner Gary Bettman:
NHL Season Regular S Games Games Lost
1992-93 384* 0
1994-93 1092 0
1994-95 1092 468
1995-96 1066 0
1996-97 1066 0
1997-98 1066 0
1998-99 1107 0
1999-00 1148 0
2000-01 1230 0
2001-02 1230 0
2002-03 1230 0
2003-04 1230 0
2004-05 1230 1230
2005-06 1230 0
2006-07 1230 0
2007-08 1230 0
2008-09 1230 0
2009-10 1230 0
2010-11 1230 0
2011-12 1230 0
Total: 22,781 1698 = 7.4% of games cancelled through 2011-12 season.
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2012-13 1230 To 12/10/2012: 526 games cancelled = 9.5%
If 12-13 season lost: 12.2%
To date, 9.5% of games under Bettman's nearly 20 years as commissioner have been cancelled. But if this season is cancelled, the number jumps to 12.2% of games. That's a lot of games lost -- for owners, players and the numerous businesses (souvenir stores, restaurants/bar) dependent on NHL games being played.
Explanatory Notes and Assumptions
- NHL used 84-game regular season in 92-93, 93-94, and 94-95 seasons; in other seasons, 82-game regular season used.
- NHL had 24 franchises in 92-93, 26 franchises from 93-94 to 97-98; 27 franchises in 98-99; 28 franchises in 99-00; and 30 franchises from 00-01 to present.
- Bettman became commissioner on Feb. 1, 1993. By that date most of the 92-93 season had been played. The Boston Bruins, for instance, had played 52 of their 84 regular season games. Other teams had played about the same, give or take a game. Assuming the 24 franchises had 32 games left, then Bettman was commissioner for 384 games in the 92-93 season (768 remaining games to be played by teams, divided by two since each game has two teams).
Context and Caveats
- It's important to stress that loss of games has many explanations, and not just who is the person occupying the commissioner’s job. Clearly, the wishes of individual franchise owners and their level of unity in bargaining matter. The willingness and ability of players’ associations to organize players and reasonably compromise with the league also matter.
- Evaluating a commissioner invites numerous metrics, including growth of revenue and popularity of sport. Most would say Bettman has done well on those and other fronts, though expansion into southern U.S. states remains a questionable business strategy.
Key Take Away:
While context matters and while blame should be shared with owners and players, it's hard to escape these numbers when compared to other leagues' commissioners: Far more games have been lost under Bettman's watch than have been lost under commissioners of the NFL, NBA and MLB.
In fact, no games have been lost under Roger Goodell’s leadership (6 years on the job), and just 2% of games have been lost under the leadership of David Stern (28 years on the job) and Bud Selig (20 years on the job). Those commissioners can certainly be criticized for many things, but they have succeeded in ensuring that scheduled games are played. Games being played is obviously not only a concern for owners and players - the two groups who have the authority to resolve a labor dispute. It's also one for those who have no formal say at the bargaining table: fans who buy tickets, networks that enter into broadcasting contracts to televise games, and apparel stores and restaurants that enter into business contracts assuming they will generate business from games being played.
If Bettman's games lost percent rises to 12%, it will be a percent of games much higher than all of the other commissioners combined -- and it's already higher as it is.
NHL Decertification Talk Heats Up
Given the increased possibility that NHL players will dissolve their union, several Sports Law Blog contributors have been interviewed in the past few days to discuss the procedural steps involved in a potential decertification of the NHLPA, as well as the strategy's likely impact. In particular, Gabe Feldman answered some decertification questions for CBC, and Michael McCann discussed the issues with Canadian Business magazine, while I spoke to the Globe and Mail. Here's a excerpt of my discussion:
Let’s start with the basics. Why might decertification make sense for NHL players here?
A. There’s kind of a benefit and a drawback. There are some protections you get under labour law when you’re in a bargaining situation like this. By having a union, the players under U.S. labour law get protection against the owners committing certain unfair labour practices.
So they get some benefits out of the unionization, but the downside is you can’t then file an antitrust lawsuit against the ownership while you’re still engaged in that collective bargaining relationship.
The trade off is do we want to have union protections or would we rather dissolve the union and pursue antitrust remedies. You can’t have your cake and eat it, too. You have to pick.
From the perspective of why is it a good thing to do now: The main benefit is probably leverage... If we file an antitrust lawsuit, it adds uncertainty for the owners. If this lockout gets declared to be a violation of U.S. antitrust law then the players’ damages are going to be tripled.
I thought I saw one estimate that the players were losing something like $10-million per day. If you use that as a ballpark, if they’ve missed 70 days, you’re talking about $700-million times three; that’s a huge number potentially. There’s leverage for the players. The No. 1 thing they would shoot for presumably would be to end the lockout [using a preliminary injunction]. Even if they don’t get that, long term, they still have that threat of the antitrust legislation and the triple damages hanging over ownership.
Important clarification on NBA.com and Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Sports Arrangement
Yesterday Marc Edelman blogged about NBA.com and Yahoo! Sports working together on offering NBA fans fantasy sports. After talking with the NBA today, I wanted to provide some additional information. The NBA made clear to me that it is not associated with Yahoo! Sports pro leagues (which are fee-based) and it does not receive any shared revenue from those leagues. The NBA’s involvement with Yahoo! Sports is limited to free fantasy sports.
Boycotting Corporate Sponsorships?
Newcastle footballers Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse, Cheick Tiote and Hatem Ben Arfa are all practicing Muslims. "Under Sharia law, Muslims must not benefit from either lending money or receiving money from another person - meaning that interest is prohibited. Interest is not paid on Islamic bank accounts or added to mortgages." Because Wonga is seen by many in the UK, much like pay day loan companies in the United States, as established to prey on the poor and the unbanked, Ba, Cisse, Tiote and Ben Arfa may refuse to promote its practices by refusing to display the Wonga logo on their jerseys.
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| Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse |
Boycotting a corporate sponsor would be deemed a hugely controversial move in the United States. In fact, the activist athlete has been discussed on the Sports Law Blog many times over the years, and has seemed to be in decline since the advent of the corporate endorsement and the potential to profit in the dozens of millions of dollars. That said, there appears to have been a rise in athlete activism in recent months . . . .
Fantasy Sports Game Changer: The NBA.com / Yahoo! Partnership
This year we have blogged extensively on emerging legal issues in fantasy sports (see here, here, here), as well as ongoing issues involving online sports gaming (see here and here). Now, the National Basketball Association has kicked off its 2012-13 season with another game-changer that may drastically change the future of both professional sports and fantasy sports -- a joint venture project with Yahoo! to provide play-for-cash fantasy basketball contests. Not only are NBA logos used in conjunction with this play-for-cash fantasy game, but a link to the game, labeled NBA.com / Yahoo ! Sports Fantasy Basketball, appears directly on the NBA.com webpage.
The NBA.com / Yahoo! leagues operate at two price points. $100 entry fee leagues pay out a first-place prize of $600. Meanwhile, $20 entry fee leagues pay out a first place prize of $120. What is unclear from the game's rules, however, is whether Yahoo! is simply paying the NBA a fixed amount for the endorsement and promotion of the game, or whether the NBA teams will be paid a share of the revenues (i.e. "rake") derived from operating the game.
Also unclear is whether Yahoo! has fully indemnified the NBA for any liability that could stem from operating this game, especially given that the Yahoo! Sports Terms of Service does not necessarily exclude every state with some risk for running a fantasy sports contest --even though Yahoo! Sports is indeed more risk adverse than CBS Sports. (For further discussion of that point, see here).
Finally, the NBA's current position in endorsing play-for-cash fantasy basketball leagues helps to clarify the league's stance on what forms of sports gaming it deems acceptable. Although the NBA continues to publicly support the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 and its ban on most forms of sports betting, the NBA clearly now supports pay-to-enter fantasy leagues -- at least of the seasonal duration variety. Of course, from the standpoint of the NBA team owners, with fantasy sports looking like far more than just a fad, it is in their interest to share in the profits of America's new national pastime, rather than foregoing an increasingly lucrative revenue stream.
(For more on legal issues in fantasy sports, please see my Harvard law journal article, A Short Treatise on Fantasy Sports and the Law).
Brian Burke and Mike Milbury join Vermont Law School Sports Law Institute
As I'll detail later this week, we are close to finalizing plans for Milbury to speak at Vermont Law School on Tuesday, November 27 at 2 pm on the NHL Lockout and where things go from here.
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Mike Milbury is an American sportscaster currently working as an ice hockey analyst for the NHL on NBC and Comcast Sports New England. He has also presented on ESPN, Versus, and CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada. Milbury played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League as a defenseman for the Boston Bruins. He coached the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals and the President’s Trophy for the best record in the league. Milbury spent 11 seasons with the New York Islanders, where he worked as the team’s General Manager, Head Coach, and Senior Vice President. He is an inductee of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, and holds a degree from Colgate University.
Taxing the Marlins ex pats
I have stayed silent on the recent Marlins debacle even if it is happening in my backyard (and on my tax dollars), mainly because I already knew the stadium was a bad deal and that the Marlins are competing for the title of worst organization in all of sports by hitting the trifecta of incompetence, arrogance, and contempt.
But, via TaxProf's Paul Caron, here is a different legal take on the trade from the Wall Street Journal: the tax hit that the five traded players are going to take by leaving Florida (which has no state income tax) and going to Ontario (which just enacted a tax increase on high-earners). The author estimates the five players will lose about $ 8.4 million in lost income, based on certain assumptions and offset by certain tax benefits (they actually earn a foreign tax credit on their U.S. returns).
But, via TaxProf's Paul Caron, here is a different legal take on the trade from the Wall Street Journal: the tax hit that the five traded players are going to take by leaving Florida (which has no state income tax) and going to Ontario (which just enacted a tax increase on high-earners). The author estimates the five players will lose about $ 8.4 million in lost income, based on certain assumptions and offset by certain tax benefits (they actually earn a foreign tax credit on their U.S. returns).
NHL Lockout: Will players decertify and sue? If so, when?
If the NHLPA does decertify or disclaim interest, players would likely file antitrust lawsuits in federal US courts and in courts in Canada. In February 2012, I analyzed this option for NHL players in an article for MIT Sloan Sports Analytics. I predicted, and still predict, that players will try to avail themselves of the labor-friendly Ninth Circuit and also courts in the more labor-friendly Canadian provinces:
....if the NHL locks out its players later this year if the NHLPA decertifies — which means that each player becomes independent and can file litigation in a court nearby where he plays — expect the players to file antitrust litigation in a federal court in California or Arizona. Both states have NHL teams, meaning the league has sufficient nexus to each state to defend itself in court. More importantly, both states are governed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which is regarded as more pro-labor than other federal circuits and which may embrace a view of the Norris-LaGuardia Act favorable to players. It is also possible NHL players could file litigation in Canada, which features stronger labor laws.As we saw in the other two lockouts, there is a less obvious benefit to antitrust litigation: new voices (namely attorneys, like David Boies) join discussions on settling issues of division, and that can play an important role.
The NHL, for its part, would probably seek to move any litigation to New York, where league headquarters are based and where case law from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is favorable to its interests. The league might instead seek to defend itself .... in the Eighth Circuit, which ruled in favor of the NFL.
Hopefully the NHL and NHLPA strike a deal in the next week or so to save a season. But if the lockout continues into December and if the NHL cancels the season, players may have to revisit their strategy and the possibility of antitrust litigation.
Messi Cemerlang, Barcelona Bekap Zaragoza
Barcelona menang dengan skor 3-1. Tiga gol Blaugrana dikemas oleh Lionel Messi (dua gol) dan Alex Song. Satu-satunya gol Zaragoza dicetak oleh Montanes.
Barcelona melakoni pekan ke-12 La Liga menjamu Real Zaragoza di Stadion Camp Nou, Minggu (18/11/2012) dinihari WIB.
Barcelona menurunkan formasi 4-3-3 dengan trisula Messi, Pedro dan Villa di lini depan. Zaragoza menggunakan formasi 4-2-3-1 dengan mengandalkan Aranda sebagai penyerang tunggal.
Barcelona langsung mendapat peluang di menit kedua. Umpan silang mendatar Alba disambut tendangan keras yang dilepaskan Messi. Namun, tendangannya masih melebar di kanan gawang.
Messi akhirnya mencetak gol di menit ke-16. Menerima umpan Alba, Messi melewati satu pemain Zaragoza dan melepaskan tembakan yang merubah papan skor menjadi 1-0.
Zaragoza langsung membalas di menit ke-24. Tendangan Montanes dari luar kotak penalti yang berubah arah karena mengenai pemain Barcelona membuat Valdes tak bisa menghadang bola tersebut. Papan skor berubah 1-1.
Tak butuh waktu lama, Barcelona kembali unggul di menit ke-28. Menyambut umpan tarik Messi, Song menyambar bola dan membuat kedudukan berubah menjadi 2-1.
Iniesta nyaris mencetak gol ketiga Barcelona di menit ke-30. Tendangan melengkungnya masih belum menemui sasaran.
Skor 2-1 bertahan hingga turun minum.
Di babak kedua, Barcelona sedikit mengendurkan tekanan. Seperti biasa, Xavi mengontrol tempo permainan.
Meski demikian, Barcelona tetap mampu mencetak gol ketiganya di laga ini di menit ke-60. Menerima umpan dari Montoya di sayap kanan, tendangan melengkung Messi ke tiang jauh membuat papan skor berubah menjadi 3-1.
Setelah unggul 3-1, Barcelona kembali menurunkan tempo dan lebih banyak memainkan bola dari kaki ke kaki.
Barcelona nyaris mencetak gol keempat di menit ke-79. Sayang, tendangan keras Iniesta menerpa mistar gawang.
Skor 3-1 bertahan hingga laga usai.
Kemenangan ini membuat Barcelona kokoh di puncak klasemen dengan 34 poin sementara Zaragoza di peringkat 11 dengan 15 poin.
Susunan pemain:
Barcelona: Valdes; Montoya, Pique, Puyol (Bartra 75'), Alba; Xavi, Song, Iniesta; Pedro (Cesc 78'), Messi, Villa (Tello 62')
Zaragoza: Roberto; Zuculini (Lucas 58'), Goni, Alvaro, Paredes; Movilla, Pinter; Apono, Vctor (Postiga 73'), Montanes; Aranda (Babovic 81')
Timnas Indonesia Kekurangan Stok Pemain
INILAH.COM, Jakarta - Dari 35 pemain Timnas Indonesia yang didaftarkan dalam pendaftaran awal peserta Piala AFF 2012, sekarang hanya tersisa 22 pemain akibat konflik, cedera dan lainnya.
Dari 35 pemain yang telah dimasukkan dalam pendaftaran awal, AFF meminta untuk disusutkan kembali menjadi 22 pemain untuk dibawa ke turnamen yang mulai bergulir 24 November 2012 itu.
Jika pelatih tim negara lain saat ini tengah pusing memikirkan siapa yang akan dipertahankan dan siapa yang akan dicoret, Nil tak perlu mengalaminya karena terbantu ‘seleksi alam’. Total sudah 13 pemain mundur dari pemusatan latihan timnas hingga saat ini. Daftar 22 pemain sendiri wajib diserahkan kepada AFC paling lambat satu hari sebelum turnamen bergulir.
Enam pemain dari Liga Super Indonesia (ISL), tidak dilepas klubnya karena konflik organisasi. Mereka adalah I Made Wirawan, Firman Utina (Persib Bandung), Patrich Wanggai (Persidafon Dafonsoro), Ahmad Bustomi, Hamka Hamzah dan Syamsidar (Mitra Kukar).
Empat lagi ditarik karena alasan persiapan tim menghadapi musim baru, yakni Hendra Bayauw, M. Nur Iskandar dan Jajang Paliama (Semen Padang) serta Agung Supriyatno (Persijap Jepara).
Tiga lainnya adalah Diego Michiels, yang saat ini menjalani masa tahanan karena tersangkut kasus penganiayaan, Raphael Maitimo (proses naturalisasi belum selesai) dan Hengky Ardiles (cedera).
“Sebenarnya uji coba ini tujuannya untuk mencari komposisi pemain, saya tidak bilang yang ada ini yang terbaik. Yang terbaik mungkin H-1 lawan Laos,” katanya usai laga uji coba melawan Kamerun di Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, Sabtu (17/11/12). “Pencoretan pemain akan diskusikan nanti.”
Dalam sejumlah laga uji coba yang telah dijalani, Nil memasangkan ban kapten pada lengan sejumlah pemain yang berbeda. Hingga kini, pelatih belum menentukan kapten Skuad Garuda di Malaysia nanti.
“Untuk saat ini kami mencoba-coba, karena besok di Malaysia tidak bisa lagi coba-coba mungkin sekarang Ellie (Aiboy), tapi besok (di Malaysia) siapa tahu?” katanya.
Laga lawan Kamerun ini merupakan laga uji coba terakhir yang dihadapi Timnas Indonesia sebelum berangkat ke Malaysia 21 November mendatang. Indonesia tergabung dalam Grup A bersama Singapura, Laos dan tuan rumah Malaysia. Lawan pertama yang dihadapi Indonesia adalah Laos pada tanggal 25 November.
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