NICK FEINBERG: BIG LOSS FOR THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

HELLO my good football people, I’m not going to ask if you’re doing well today... For those of us who consider football as part of our lives, the tragic loss of Diogo Jota has been really emotional – one of those moments where all rivalries are dropped as two brothers in the prime of their lives met such a horrible ending.

I can’t help but express the upset I experienced, made that much worse because he was such a good bloke, one of those players like Ian Wright or George Best or Paul Gascoigne who everyone loved regardless of who they supported.

He was in his own right a superb footballer, technically outstanding and a non-stop battler. F**k man, watching the tributes from around the globe and across Stanley Park into Everton territory, it has been overwhelming.

The heartbreaking timing, just getting married and reportedly telling friends how he was experiencing the best time of his life (in Spain) shortly before the accident. I feel so bad for the family.

I’m not going to get into it, because it needs to go away, but these disgusting parasites publishing and posting pictures and videos of burning car wreckage, as well as his wife and friends sobbing outside the mortuary are disgusting.

It’s a pathetic illustration of the times, when clicks and views are deemed way more important than a bit of human decency. Newspapers and websites (including the unofficial Liverpool.com) also running speculative reports on the cause of the crash… for f***s sake.

It’s very different to (as an example) the neverending images of death and destruction in Palestine. This has a purpose… To keep the world informed of barbaric acts of violence.

But in this case, the only purpose coverage of this type serves is to upset family, friends of the Jota brothers, while picking up momentary viewing stats. You’ve got to be a heartless piece of s**t to do that.

It’s difficult to write about much else, all seems so meaningless. However life goes on and so does the game.

Not that the Club World Cup is that important. Look, it might (one day) turn into a recognised top-tier competition, but as it stands (especially when it’s held in the United States), it’s generally looked at as a money spinner.

Saying that, as most of us predicted, the knockout stages are churning out some properly competitive games. I’ve enjoyed a few of the games and with a couple of the South American teams comes full stadiums. Mind you, there are going to be a lot of really p****d- off early bookers for some of the fixtures, as Fifa has struggled to get bums on seats.

Tonight’s semifinal between Fluminense and Chelsea has had prices reduced from $473 to $44 to just $9! That’s like going from a new PlayStation 5, to a family meal at Spur, to a pair of men’s underpants. These tournament organiser mugs have gotten so much wrong. And it’s not just the ticket prices.

There have been complaints about plastic pitches, scorching temperatures and visa headaches, while fan experience reviews have been lacklustre. As for a mid-game suspension due to possible weather issues... it’s a balls up. Of course Fifa are using this as a test run for the 2026 World Cup and have decided to make a change.

Following Arsene Wenger’s warning about inconsistent, dry surfaces at the Club World Cup, the 16 host stadiums in the US, Canada, and Mexico, which currently have artificial turf, will temporarily be replaced with hybrid or natural grass fields for tournament matches.

Anyway, as mentioned, the first semi is up tonight, then we go again tomorrow as PSG take on Real Madrid (at 9pm). Who is going to win it? Well, the bookies have PSG at 6/4, Real 2/1, Chelsea 3/1 and Fluminense 16/1.

I’d say that is a fair assessment, although Chelsea v Fluminense will probably be a lot closer than predicted.

Everything can change in a second – and sometimes, it never goes back. My deepest condolences to Jota’s family...

Chat next week, bye bye.