FIFA pull rug from football data sites

[Euler]

FIFA have signed an exclusives data rights deal with Opta, who are now sending out cease notices to anybody using similar data: -

https://www.sports-reference.com/blog/2 ... ta-update/

[LeTiss]

A terrible day

[Euler]

A terrible day

Indeed

It's funny how something that is publically available is allowed to be brought under a license and montised.

This is one of the reason we have been unable to bring live scores into Bet Angel, as we need a license to do it and the license is more than our turnover! It doesn't make sense.

[weemac]

They've shuttered up the databases, dear friends,
And pulled the curtain o'er the stats we knew;
No longer may we track our favourite's trends,
Nor see which striker scored, nor count who drew.

The grand old Federation, in its might,
Hath deemed our humble widgets too profane—
Those tables showing matches lost and right,
Those lineups we refreshed through sun and rain.

Oh, cruel decree! To bar the digital door,
To hoard the numbers like a miser's gold,
While we, the faithful, hunger as before
For news of victories, brave and bold.

Yet take heart, ye believers of the game!
Though dark the hour, though bitter be the pill,
This edifice of greed shall not maintain—
All empires crumble, bent to time's great will.

Mourn not the loss of team sheet, nor of score,
But patiently await the day when FIFA is no more.

[wearthefoxhat]

FIFA have signed an exclusives data rights deal with Opta, who are now sending out cease notices to anybody using similar data: -

https://www.sports-reference.com/blog/2 ... ta-update/

That seems to explain why FBRef and Soccer Stats, have changed their data display.access.

[wearthefoxhat]

They've shuttered up the databases, dear friends,
And pulled the curtain o'er the stats we knew;
No longer may we track our favourite's trends,
Nor see which striker scored, nor count who drew.

The grand old Federation, in its might,
Hath deemed our humble widgets too profane—
Those tables showing matches lost and right,
Those lineups we refreshed through sun and rain.

Oh, cruel decree! To bar the digital door,
To hoard the numbers like a miser's gold,
While we, the faithful, hunger as before
For news of victories, brave and bold.

Yet take heart, ye believers of the game!
Though dark the hour, though bitter be the pill,
This edifice of greed shall not maintain—
All empires crumble, bent to time's great will.

Mourn not the loss of team sheet, nor of score,
But patiently await the day when FIFA is no more.

The Day FIFA Nicked the Numbers

Oi! Gather round the bar, lads,
Got a tale that’ll make you sigh,
FIFA’s only gone and nicked the lot—
Our Opta stats? Aye, bye-bye.

They slammed the door on FBref,
Told SoccerStats, “You’re done.”
All them xG dreams and spreadsheets
Went quicker than a dodgy pen in the sun.

“Monopoly?” they say with a grin,
“No mate, it’s premium control.”
Pay up now or jog right on—
That’ll be thirty quid a goal.

We had form, we had numbers,
Home splits, away-day pain,
Now we’re back to “eye test only”
And blaming VAR again.

The traders cry into Betfair,
The nerds clutch Excel tight,
While FIFA light their cigars
With a model we built last night.

But don’t you fret, you cheeky lot,
We’ve been here before, it’s true—
When data dries and markets lie,
The edge goes back to you.

So here’s to notes on beer mats,
And instincts sharp as glass,
If FIFA wants to hoard the stats—
We’ll still nick value off their arse.

anon...