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whats the point of his 12 pages FIFA is already investigating

He might have turned his back on the game but at that stage, there was not much to turn away from. The game was a mess here so I do not blame him.

The point is the ball and his comments on that, not him personally and his decisions in past years. As a former Adidas R&D man, why shouldn't he comment. He is much more qualifiied than us to give an opinion, with technical knowledge. We can only judge on what we see afterall as bystanders.

The ball is a disgrace. The idea of creating a new ball that is completely different to play with to normal balls release it in a few leagues they sponser 4-5 months before, and give to everyone else a month before, is just completely unreasonable.

Then add to that the fact that the ball makes shooting a lot more difficult for the most part. It's a ball designed to take skill out of the game and replace it with luck!

I doubt FIFA will necessarily listen to Craig Johnston, since they don't listen to anyone about anything, but I 100% agree with what he's said here!

I may be wrong but it was also used in Argentina, the USA and Japan used it as well.

I thought one of the commentators said the Jabulani had been used in the Bundesliga since January. A coincidence..? Go the Germans!!

And really, if they aren't going to persist with the ball in any other tournaments, what's the point of the letter?

Good on him.

Craig should have highlighted the financial benefits of examining the balls characteristics more closely in future. He should have used the word money in his letter as often as he could and signed it Craig John$on. He should then slip some money in the envelope.

That would get Blatter's attention.

If you can say anything about Johnson, he shoots from the hip...

Has been equally scathing about the football development system in England. Accusing him of having an agenda ignores the fact that he doesn't really care who he pisses off...How do win friends and influence people...not!

And....the Jabulani is a disgrace. What sort of idiot would design a ball with less drag for a World Cup in which altitude (less drag) is a major factor....

FIFA needs an overhaul and a boot up the arse...and for Sepp Blatter to leave..

Malteserat you are not fit to be in Johnsons company, ya complete loser!!
I agree with Johnsons stinging criticism I have never seen so many competent technical players from all nations either sky or spray a football like I have seen in this WC using the jabulani ball. This has been highlighted nightly on Santo Sam and Ed's Cup Fever. The ball is hopeless and should be renamed the Jab-andhopeforthebest-unlikely!!

Craig is a former R & D person at Adidas (might have been the head of that division as well I think) so he is well qualified to write a technical review of the ball.
FIFA will never admit to it but will probably take the comments on board as they will want to avoid another WC where strikers are complaining about the ball - keepers they can live with

Johnston has no reputation to lose, other than as someone who turned away from the Aussie game when it needed him, and as a sell out.

His comments on SBS were embarassing - he advocated a long ball game in the Wimbeldon style!

ummmmm they wont even read it, plus who is he to write to us there gona say

but all teams are using the same ball right?

Wasnt this ball used at the african cup of nations 2010 with no problems?

What is clearly evident as the WC progresses is that the average goals per game is increasing, as is the technical standard of play. Seems to me to be a case of the players adjusting their technique to suit the jabulani.

Mind you, this sholdn't be used as justification for using the ball. It was clearly revolutionery (not evolutionery) and, as such, either shouln't have been used or have been modified to suit the rarified atmosphere of the 'highveld'. In addition, more warning should have been given to teams about its effects. Seems it caught most teams off-guard. Agree wholeheartedly with other comments about the ball being trialled at the confeds cup. After all, isn't the competition used as a dry run for the WC?

FIFA's neanderthal mentality has been shown up badly at this WC- this is just another example of it.

"All publicity is good publicity" hey Craig.

Not sure why else you would do this............or do you happen to have your own design lurking around somewhere ?

Ok Craig, but why?

Jabulani moved in the air, and suffers no damage.

Well said CJ.

This has been bar none the worst WC ever for technical ability and it can be put down mostly to the ball.

Why was this only introduced at the WC and not 1 year earlier at the Confed cup??

Great to see CJ telling FIFA how most of us feel.


What do you think about the FourFourTwo article Craig Johnston Attacks Jabulani?
FORMER Australian Liverpool striker Craig Johnston has written a 12-page letter to FIFA president Sepp Blatter criticising the World Cup Jabulani ball.

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