One-Eyed Richmond Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: mightytiges on June 14, 2009, 10:29:01 PM
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AUSTRALIA has launched its bid to host the 2018 or 2022 soccer World Cup, with the event promising to bring a $3.9 billion bonanza to the nation.
The winning bidders will be announced in December, 2010.
Rival bidders for the 2018 World Cup are Australia, Belgium/Netherlands, England, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Portugal/Spain, Russia and United States
The same nations plus Qatar and South Korea will also bid for the 2022 World Cup.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25633831-11088,00.html
I reckon we have zero chance for 2018 as it'll go to Europe but 2022 is a chance.
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would love to see the World Cup come to Australia!
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bring it on.......
look on those tools Andy D and his sidekicks face if we get the World Cup.
PRICELESS!!!!
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Socceroos now ranked 16th in the world :thumbsup (just ignore these rankings are dodgy lol :shh)
http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html
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FIFA will require all rival sporting competitions such as the AFL and NRL to halt for 2 months in June/July while the World Cup is on if Australia wins one of the 2018 or 2022 hosting bids.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/anger-at-fifa-code-violation/story-e6frf9if-1225790667585
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It would make a mockery of the whole AFL season that year if there was two month break in the middle of the season. You can't just switch form on and off. We saw with Essendon in 1990 what a length break can do to a team's premiership chances. The main reason why Collingwood won it's only flag in the past 50 years.
There'd have to be a compromise. The AFL would have to be allowed to be played in the lead up to the World Cup at least and possibly the group stages even if it's on grounds not going to be used by the World Cup. The AFL could scrap the NAB Cup that year and play from Feb to June. With 18 teams everyone just plays everyone once. The AFL with contracts in place with the various grounds and tv rights can be demand major compensation - not only in terms of $$$ but also use the WC as a opportunity for soccer and the Governments to pay for new/updated oval stadia in Perth, Adelaide, a 3rd ground in Melbourne, more ovals in Sydney and Brisbane etc...
Does anyone here know if Baseball stopped completely in the States when the US had the World Cup in 1994?
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Im against the World Cup coming to Australia. Australia doesnt deserve the World Cup after its soccer authorities engaged in ethnic cleansing. That goes against everything FIFA stands for.
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Does anyone here know if Baseball stopped completely in the States when the US had the World Cup in 1994?
I think there may have been a players strike at the time MT
And i have to say the idea that all other sporting codes go on hold not just during the 4 weeks of the World Cup itself but the 4 weeks prior is an absolute joke. What are those of us who aren't soccer fans supposed to do for 8 weeks, play scrabble (not that there's anything wrong with that ;D). Sorry I'd rather not have the thing in Australia if we have to have these rules in place.
To be brutally honest I think this whole bid thing is a waste of money when we have a hospital system that is in chaos, we have aging equipment in our defence forces and our older citizens struggle to live on the pension
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World Cup stared on Friday June 17 1994 in the U.S with the opening ceremony and a 1-0 win for Germany over Bolivia.
The last games of baseball were played in about August that year so baseball was being played at the time of the WC, it was just that the WC was played at predominantely NFL grounds around the country.
To further add to the argument at stopping the AFL and NRL as an NBA fan Hakeem Olajuwon was up against Patrick Ewing in the NBA Championship playoffs and the series went to 7 games. The last three if my memory is right were played whilst the WC was on. For the record the Rockets won 4-3.
I don't agree with the AFL and NRL having a mid season hiatus for the explicit reason for the way the FFA went about the genocide of the ethnic football fan. Furthermore knowing our luck the Tigers would be 9-0 at the break and finish ninth at the end of the season. Just not feasable. Footy grounds would be used and the World Cup would never be played in September when all the major leagues in Europe and Sth America will have already resumed. Australia has a unique sporting culture but FIFA will never accept that and shift the WC from the end of the European Season. It would affect transfers and such. Waste of my taxpaying dollars lobbying for this. Just a gimmick to get dwindling crowds going to A league matches and a not very smart attempt to get soccer into the fabric of our sporting culture.
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The World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world. Even bigger than the Olympics. No Government would want to miss out on the opportunity of massive publicity for Australia and the cities where each game will be held plus the tens of thousands of visitors/fans from right around the world who will fly in to watch their national side and spend at local hotels, restaurants, retail stores, etc. If you want to be cynical about the motive then just think of what motivates politicians = votes! Plenty of jobs and millions of dollars for the local economy in this bid plus the feelgood factor of being the sporting capital of the world. Pollies since ancient Rome have learnt to survive you give the people what they want.
I agree it's not practical/feasible for the AFL to shutdown midseason but if FIFA chooses Australia then it'll be in Australia. Domestic sporting issues will be irrelevant. It'll be made to work and everyone will be seen to tow the line for the country's benefit.
As for t FFA ethnic cleansing soccer ???. The ethnic NSL clubs did that themselves bankrupting the old NSL and Soccer Australia :yep. Anyway the Victory thanks the Melbourne Knights for Mate Dugandzic. At only 20 he's a beauty! :thumbsup
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The idea that rival codes should stop just for the world cup is ridiculous. Do FIFA really think that the worlds soccer (football if you like) fans coming to Australia are going to attend AFL or NRL games at the expense of watching world cup games? And I thought the AFL was run by dictatorial morons. Surely, if they were stupid enough to play the world cup in the middle of a southern winter to start with, the AFL/NRL would compliment the experience of visiting fans, not detract from it.
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The idea that rival codes should stop just for the world cup is ridiculous. Do FIFA really think that the worlds soccer (football if you like) fans coming to Australia are going to attend AFL or NRL games at the expense of watching world cup games? And I thought the AFL was run by dictatorial morons. Surely, if they were stupid enough to play the world cup in the middle of a southern winter to start with, the AFL/NRL would compliment the experience of visiting fans, not detract from it.
Despite Blatter's delusional denials when told AFL is the most popular football code in Australia, FIFA knows Aussie rules is king in Oz and NRL is big in NSW/QLD especially as a tv sport. It's a combination of giving soccer all the publicity for two months as well as needing major grounds (40k+) in perfect condition for the WC (footy and rugby cuts up the turf too much and the grass needs to be a different length for soccer). It's stupid as it does nothing to convert a country where a homegrown football code is most popular. 15 years after the WC in the USA, NFL is still the No.1 spectator sport and bigger than ever.
Btw the World Cup next year will be in the middle of the southern hemisphere winter in South Africa ( is rugby halting for 2 months over there? ) and it's been held in Chile (1962) and Argentina (1978 ) in the past so having the WC in midwinter is not something new for FIFA.
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By southern winter i meant Southern Australia, ie cold and miserable (cant really say wet anymore though, but it is a possibility). Once you get higher than the tropic of capricorn then the middle months will generally give the best weather, from a comfort point of view.
Do you know whether the games are to be/were played in the north, south or both, of the counties you mentioned? I would have thought that for one of the worlds showcase sporting events you would be looking to attempt to have the best conditions you can.
The point about the grass being a different length is interesting. I wasn't aware of that and can see how it would be problematic.
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Do you know whether the games are to be/were played in the north, south or both, of the counties you mentioned? I would have thought that for one of the worlds showcase sporting events you would be looking to attempt to have the best conditions you can.
Buenos Aires and Santiago would be roughly on the same latitude as a Sydney or Perth. All host cities/towns in Argentina/Chile would be south of 30 degress latitude. Capetown in South Africa will even be slightly further south but not a far as Melbourne is.
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Do you know whether the games are to be/were played in the north, south or both, of the counties you mentioned? I would have thought that for one of the worlds showcase sporting events you would be looking to attempt to have the best conditions you can.
Buenos Aires and Santiago would be roughly on the same latitude as a Sydney or Perth. All host cities/towns in Argentina/Chile would be south of 30 degress latitude. Capetown in South Africa will even be slightly further south but not a far as Melbourne is.
I have to admit to being a little bewildered by that. I would have thought that at those latitudes you would be looking to late spring/early summer for such an event. Is there some other programming reasoning behind risking having the world cup played in dreary, cold and wet conditions when it is the southern hemisphere?
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Al, world cup is always played in June/July when the major leagues of the two most powerful FIFA members of Europe and South America have the off season at their leagues generally finish in May.
Furthermore to add to that in Chile and Argentina soccer (football) is the national sport and thus there was no problem staging an event there.
In 2014 the World Cup is in Brasil as it was in 1950 MT another predominantely Southern Hemisphere nation and of course soccer mad but Sao Paolo where the final will be staged I'd say is much more North than Santiago and Buenos Aires.
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Al, world cup is always played in June/July when the major leagues of the two most powerful FIFA members of Europe and South America have the off season at their leagues generally finish in May.
Ahh the penny drops :rollin I only take a passing interest in soccer, but should have realised that would play a part.
Cheers tucker
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As with the Olympics and the IOC, politics within FIFA dictates what happens. The 2014 WC has gone to the Americas (Brazil host) as they hadn't hosted a WC since USA 1994. The Europeans are now wanting the 2018 bid to go to a European country because they aren't willing to accept a 16 year gap. In the past every second WC was basically held in Europe. Competing against that is FIFA's want to target non-traditional soccer markets and push the "global game" tag - USA in '94, Japan/Korea in 2002 and now South Africa next year. It's the latter that Australia is hoping on. I'm guessing we've applied for both bids in 2018 and 2022 to suck up to fat cat FIFA delegates with more $$$ and fully paid trips to Australia (did someone say corruption and buying votes :whistle ). However our best chance is going for the 2022 bid with Europe wanting 2018.
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Al, world cup is always played in June/July when the major leagues of the two most powerful FIFA members of Europe and South America have the off season at their leagues generally finish in May.
Furthermore to add to that in Chile and Argentina soccer (football) is the national sport and thus there was no problem staging an event there.
In 2014 the World Cup is in Brasil as it was in 1950 MT another predominantely Southern Hemisphere nation and of course soccer mad but Sao Paolo where the final will be staged I'd say is much more North than Santiago and Buenos Aires.
Yep Sao Paolo and Rio are on or above the tropic of Capricorn. Being a tropical climate I'm guessing June/July is the dry season like in Australia. Just on South American soccer they hold two comps per year now to fit in with the European season. One from Feb-May (Closing) and the other from July-Nov (Opening) or something like that. Russia also plays their season from Feb-Nov as the pitches are frozen in midwinter. They have a summer break of 6 weeks over June to mid-July. As you say Tucky every country has to follow a strict FIFA calendar to make every country's comps work in sync.
ps. I must sound like some geography freak lol. It helps when I have one of those atlas of the world mats on my desk :wallywink.
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The insiders on the ABC just raised the possibility of the Federal Govt legislating to allow FIFAs wishes regarding the other codes to be be honored
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The insiders on the ABC just raised the possibility of the Federal Govt legislating to allow FIFAs wishes regarding the other codes to be be honored
Wouldn't that be classed as a restraint of trade for the other codes?
You would hope there'd be an agreement between all codes based on goodwill and financial benefit to the country rather than heading into a legal minefield.
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The insiders on the ABC just raised the possibility of the Federal Govt legislating to allow FIFAs wishes regarding the other codes to be be honored
Wouldn't that be classed as a restraint of trade for the other codes?
You would hope there'd be an agreement between all codes based on goodwill and financial benefit to the country rather than heading into a legal minefield.
Could very well be restraint of trade. They didn't go into the source too much. Could be an empty threat to get the other codes onside. I agree, I think the bid would go down much better if the other codes were onside rather than forced to comply.
They also mentioned that there is talk in NSW that some clubs may fold if forced to lay off for a while. There was mixed opinion about this, but some NSW league clubs must be close to the wire as it is. There was talk of compensation for clubs from the govt, but this seemed to be just speculation from the panel rather than having any foundation. Caroline Wilson was not on today so I give things said a bit more credence.
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The insiders on the ABC just raised the possibility of the Federal Govt legislating to allow FIFAs wishes regarding the other codes to be be honored
Wouldn't that be classed as a restraint of trade for the other codes?
You would hope there'd be an agreement between all codes based on goodwill and financial benefit to the country rather than heading into a legal minefield.
Could very well be restraint of trade. They didn't go into the source too much. Could be an empty threat to get the other codes onside. I agree, I think the bid would go down much better if the other codes were onside rather than forced to comply.
They also mentioned that there is talk in NSW that some clubs may fold if forced to lay off for a while. There was mixed opinion about this, but some NSW league clubs must be close to the wire as it is. There was talk of compensation for clubs from the govt, but this seemed to be just speculation from the panel rather than having any foundation. Caroline Wilson was not on today so I give things said a bit more credence.
You're right it's all just speculation at the moment. I even heard today a news report saying that Melbourne would miss out on the WC semi-finals and final. Now that I can't believe even with a Sydney-centric FFA.
The AFL should target funding for upgrading stadiums and building new ovals as compensation. A World Cup in Australia will come and go but new infrastructure will last 20-30 years. Subiaco and Footy Park need a total makeover as they are very 70s/80s. A new 3rd stadium in Melbourne for AFL would be very handy as well.
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A new 3rd stadium in Melbourne for AFL would be very handy as well.
, Might be handy, but cant see it happening, particularly with the new rectangular ground stadium being built .
Wasn't there talk of getting princess park up to scratch?
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A new 3rd stadium in Melbourne for AFL would be very handy as well.
, Might be handy, but cant see it happening, particularly with the new rectangular ground stadium being built .
Wasn't there talk of getting princess park up to scratch?
Yeah there was but gawd I hope not. Too small and a pain in the neck to get to. Also being Carlton there's plenty of shocking memories from watching footy there in the VFL days :help. The other alternative mentioned was the K? site in North Melbourne to the west of the railway station and just north of the Docklands. I think the old Junction Oval was thrown up as a possibility but it would need a major redevelopment and $$$ to bring it up to scratch.
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AFL seeks compensation for World Cup disruption
Caroline Wilson | November 20, 2009
BATTLE lines are being drawn between the AFL and its greatest threat - soccer - over Australia's bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick held crisis talks yesterday with the 16 clubs in which he outlined how a successful bid by Football Federation Australia could hurt the home-and-away season.
The clubs have also been made aware of the detrimental long-term impact upon memberships, corporate support and TV ratings.
Fitzpatrick and AFL executive Gillon McLachlan also revealed to club presidents and chief executives key elements of the league's strategy to seek some compromises from the world game's governing body FIFA and also ensure the competition was given adequate compensation.
The AFL will hold talks not only with Australian soccer chiefs but also the Federal Government, fearful of the impact on the competition should it be forced to move games from every Australian mainland capital city for up to 10 weeks in the middle of the 2018 or 2022 seasons.
The Age understands that all those who attended yesterday's talks were told not to speak publicly about the AFL's plans. Western Bulldogs president David Smorgon, who could not attend, said last night: ''Why would you give a free handpass to your biggest competitor? You would want some adequate compensation.''
The clubs were told that the AFL, having only just received full details of the FIFA demands, have until December 10 to seek a number of compromises and assurances of multimillion-dollar compensation from the Federal Government. Despite grave concerns from clubs and their governing body the view was that the AFL would not attempt to block the bid.
With the World Cup final held every four years around the middle of July, Fitzpatrick told clubs that the season would be severely affected for a total of 10 weeks with five weeks of competition, the four-week build-up preceding that and one subsequent week for the FIFA World Cup caravan to move out of the key venues. The final would be held at the MCG or Homebush.
The AFL has looked at starting the season significantly earlier and ending it in late October with the view that there would be little point in holding blockbuster games anywhere in the country while the World Cup was being contested. In 2000 the season ended three weeks early to fit in with the Sydney Olympics.
Under FIFA's guidelines the only AFL venues available during the five weeks of World Cup competition over June and July would be Launceston's Aurora Stadium, Darwin's Tio Stadium and Skilled Stadium in Geelong. By 2018 the AFL competition will involve nine games each week.
As Fitzpatrick understood it, the MCG and Etihad Stadium would be unavailable during the World Cup and no other Melbourne venue could host AFL games.
Under FIFA regulations no major competitions can take place in any city hosting World Cup matches for the duration of the tournament. Grounds being used for matches have to be clean of all existing advertising and not used for the four weeks leading up to the competition matches.
Although the AFL is pushing for a number of compromises, key soccer sources told The Age that FIFA would not relax any guidelines.
The National Rugby League was also this week planning to fight some of the FIFA rules.
The Federal Government has pledged to build $2 billion worth of infrastructure should Australia win the World Cup bid against daunting opposition.
In Melbourne's case, World Cup games would be held at Etihad Stadium and the MCG. In Sydney, it would be ANZ Stadium and Sydney Football Stadium, with major venues in Brisbane, Adelaide, Newcastle, the Gold Coast, Canberra and Perth also used.
Fitzpatrick told clubs yesterday that the AFL would struggle under current guidelines to host matches in the four weeks leading up to the main competition as other non-matchday venues would be designated as FIFA training grounds and could not be used for Australian football or league matches during that period.
This could include venues such as Victoria Park, Visy Park and the Punt Road Oval.
Effectively, soccer's rival codes would have to shut down for up to 10 weeks, or move the bulk of their competitions to regional areas.
Although Australia's bid document has a deadline of May 2010, the Federal Government must sign off on the terms and conditions of the bid by December 10.
By the May deadline the FFA must submit its final document on match venues, stadiums and infrastructure to FIFA.
The FIFA executive will choose which countries will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups at a meeting in Switzerland in December 2010.
FFA chief Ben Buckley, formerly Andrew Demetriou's No. 2 at the AFL, has been optimistic that the two codes can reach agreement and has pointed to significant upgrades to be undertaken at Subiaco, the Adelaide Oval - expected to become an AFL venue - and Carrara on the Gold Coast should Australia win the right to host the World Cup.
Demetriou has been on paternity leave.
http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/afl-seeks-compensation/2009/11/19/1258219924147.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
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Fitzpatrick told clubs yesterday that the AFL would struggle under current guidelines to host matches in the four weeks leading up to the main competition as other non-matchday venues would be designated as FIFA training grounds and could not be used for Australian football or league matches during that period.
This could include venues such as Victoria Park, Visy Park and the Punt Road Oval.
I hope the RFC makes a good quid out of this if Punt Rd is used.
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AFL fuming over soccer World Cup demands
* Michael Warner
* From: Herald Sun
* December 07, 2009
FOOTBALL warfare has broken out over Australia's bid to host the soccer World Cup, with fears the MCG could be declared an "AFL-free zone" for an entire home-and-away season.
Soccer's ruling body, Football Federation Australia, has told the MCG it will require a $130 million taxpayer-funded overhaul to install rectangular seating in readiness for the world's biggest sporting event in 2018 or 2022.
Construction and removal of the temporary stands could take up to four months, potentially leaving the stadium without any AFL games until the finals.
Matches banished would include the showpiece Anzac Day clash between Essendon and Collingwood. Footy fans will instead be forced to travel to games in regional cities or interstate venues including Launceston and Darwin.
Angry AFL chiefs, who were not told of the proposed MCG overhaul during recent discussions, are growing more agitated by what they say is a lack of transparency by the FFA and FIFA - soccer's international governing body.
The World Cup bid will also affect the National Rugby League competition and its State-of-Origin series.
"All sports have said they will support the bid for the World Cup, but it's hard when FIFA and Australian soccer officials show no respect," a high-level source said.
"While they are happy to fly around the world and brief FIFA delegates, they appear unwilling to tell anyone in Australia what is really going to happen. They have deliberately kept us in the dark."
In another twist to the footy fight, Etihad Stadium chief Ian Collins is believed to have written to FFA rejecting World Cup matches at the Docklands venue.
But the FFA believes it has the option of seeking government intervention to seize temporary control of the privately owned stadium.
The Brumby Government has final say over any works or disputes involving the MCG.
The Premier will come under pressure from the Rudd Government, which has pledged $2 billion worth of support to the World Cup bid.
Under strict FIFA rules, all venues must be quarantined for a month beforehand and major rival sporting events must be halted during the month-long tournament.
The AFL is believed to be willing to start the 2018 or 2022 footy season early, and move some games to other venues, but will not accept FIFA's instruction to close down competition throughout the World Cup action.
Frustrated AFL chief Andrew Demetriou at the weekend spoke out about being kept in the dark over the World Cup bid.
"The AFL is still waiting for the FFA to tell us what would be required of our competition," he said.
"We have seen the FFA quoted in a number of different media reports on what may occur, but it's extremely disappointing we have still had no direct information.
"The AFL has a history of working with major events to accommodate them around our match fixturing, such as the recent (2006) Commonwealth Games and the 2000 Olympics.
"So we are seeking definitive information from the FFA to see what planning may be required for us."
The FIFA exclusion period applies only to cities hosting games, meaning AFL matches could still be played in other locations.
FFA wants use of the MCG, Etihad Stadium, Suncorp Stadium, Sydney Football Stadium, ANZ Stadium, Adelaide Oval and redeveloped venues in Newcastle, Gold Coast, Townsville, Canberra, Parramatta and possibly Perth.
The MCG and Etihad won't make a killing on World Cup games, with all ticket sales, merchandise and broadcast profits going back to FIFA's headquarters in Switzerland.
It is unclear whether the cost of the proposed $130 million works at the MCG would be paid by national or Victorian taxpayers.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/afl-fuming-over-soccer-world-cup-demands/story-e6frf7jo-1225807505412
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There's a lot of grandstanding at the moment but the FFA need to watch out they don't turn the public against the bid by not answering other code's concerns and bowing to every FIFA demand. The Super 14 rugby won't need to shut down in South Africa next year and it is scheduled to finish at the end of May just before the World Cup.
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Rugby Union/League is played on a square pitch like soccer so it won't be as difficult logistically on the stadiums its the so called rectangularsation of the stadia from AFL that FIFA and the FFA will alledge will be the most difficult.
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Has the AFL got anything to fear from bringing the world cup to Australia? Is the benefits to the country as a whole worth the impact it will have on our game?
Is this a storm in a teacup or a genuine threat?
Stripes
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Has the AFL got anything to fear from bringing the world cup to Australia? Is the benefits to the country as a whole worth the impact it will have on our game?
Is this a storm in a teacup or a genuine threat?
Stripes
I don't think the AFL has anything to fear after what's been reported in today's media. For one of the very few times in my life I actually agree with Andy D.
If the reported demands of FIFA are true then I actually see there being a negative impact on soccer rather than the AFL.
The whole idea of supposedly "competing" football codes having to either shut down or have games moved to various outposts around the country as to not impinge on the World Cup is nothing short of disgraceful. I think we deserve the right to chose which sport we go and watch not have it dictated to by some sporting body.
I mean re-configuring the MCG at the taxpayers expense? Er NO thanks
BTW there was a very interesting article in one of the weekend papers about the new white elephant stadium in South Africa that FIFA demanded be built that will have no purpose after the World Cup.
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The AFL needs to be mighty careful. The World Cup will provide a massive boost to soccer. The major damage will occur in junior development. If I was in the AFL I would be hoping Australia fails to win this event.
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The AFL needs to be mighty careful. The World Cup will provide a massive boost to soccer. The major damage will occur in junior development. If I was in the AFL I would be hoping Australia fails to win this event.
I don't think it matters Ramps - AFL footy is the most popular code in this country followed by the NRL - the numbers show that. Soccer faces a backlash if tries to push traditional codes aside for the World Cup
Personally I don't think we have a hope of getting the thing. But if by some miracle we do it shouldn't be at the expense of me being able to enjoy a normal season of the game that I think is the best in world :thumbsup
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I can see the benefits to the country as a whole. The increase in overseas visitors all of who will pour money into the local economy will be huge...but at what cost? I would like to know the figures too - how much do we have to spend to even get it here? What is the impact on our sport logistically and financially? What is the ramifications we can expect on our competition as a whole?
I think the AFL would be insane not to go out of their way to fight this. It will have no positives on the competition what-so-ever.
Stripes
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The AFL needs to be mighty careful. The World Cup will provide a massive boost to soccer. The major damage will occur in junior development. If I was in the AFL I would be hoping Australia fails to win this event.
I don't think it matters Ramps - AFL footy is the most popular code in this country followed by the NRL - the numbers show that. Soccer faces a backlash if tries to push traditional codes aside for the World Cup
Personally I don't think we have a hope of getting the thing. But if by some miracle we do it shouldn't be at the expense of me being able to enjoy a normal season of the game that I think is the best in world :thumbsup
The compensation the government/FIFA would have to pay the AFL and NRL would be tens to hundreds of millions. Perhaps this is why AD is ranting so much at the moment. Regardless if Australia wins the bid or not all this media attention is good either way.
Stripes
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Rugby Union/League is played on a square pitch like soccer so it won't be as difficult logistically on the stadiums its the so called rectangularsation of the stadia from AFL that FIFA and the FFA will alledge will be the most difficult.
I can understand why they want the grounds clear leading into the World Cup so the playing surface is in its best condition and not chopped up but I'm not sure why it's a big deal to FIFA and the FFA if the stadia in Australia are rectangular or oval. We've hosted World Cup qualifiers at the MCG before without any pitch issues. In Germany, the Olympiastadion in Berlin which hosted the final in 2006 had an athletics track around the pitch so fans were a distance from the actual playing pitch. The Maracana in Rio which will host the 2014 final is also oval. The MCG being oval doesn't affect the atmosphere at a soccer international. It didn't in the ill-fated Iran game back in 1997.
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you are kidding yourself arent' you?
the amount of money that this would bring to our country would be unbelievable. If it means we re configure the MCG then so be it. AFL should back the stuff off and let the country reap the rewards of the exposure of our great country will have on the rest of the world.
Whatever Tiger brought to Melbourne you can times it by 100 as would be the financial benefit a World Cup would bring to our country. HUGE!!!
ooh and Soccer is the best game in the world just not in this country through our eyes.
We may actually learn a thing or 2 of seeing how a real world tournament is conducted as opposed to a Grand Final day led by the singing treats of Delta Goodrem and all the other duds they scramble together for the last day in September.
I bet if we do get the World Cup most of you lot would be there jumping up and down in support so cool the jets on the "im opposed to the world cup" crap your spinning now
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you are kidding yourself arent' you?
the amount of money that this would bring to our country would be unbelievable. If it means we re configure the MCG then so be it. AFL should back the eff off and let the country reap the rewards of the exposure of our great country will have on the rest of the world.
daniel, are you aware that the money generated from tickets sales at the World Cup would not come back to Australia but it goes to FIFA? Another of their "conditions"... There is alot of $$ we wont get
If you think that is acceptable for tax payers to foot the bill to re-configure the MCG (est $130mil) after we the taxpapyer are paying for the bulk of this bid when we have a public health system in a shambles, aging defence force equipment and people on the pension who paid taxes all their lives but are now barely able to survive then good on you
Personally, I think the money could be better spent on things that will ensure we remain the greatest country in the world :thumbsup
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I think wed be better of spending hundreds of millions of dollars fixing up healthcare services in Australia.
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Going by 3aw and SEN tonight the FFA, AFL and NRL are finally going to sit down and talk things through properly. Seems this talk about FIFA shutting down the AFL season for 8 weeks is nonsense as is the need to reconfigure the MCG. If only the FFA said that all along ::). According to reports now the AFL will have a 2 week break when the World Cup reaches the knockout stages around the semi-finals and final and major stadia that will no longer be needed for the WC (most likely outside Sydney and Melbourne) will be able to be used by the AFL again.
As far as soccer taking over - well going by the USA holding a World Cup has minimal long-term impact on other major sports in the country. The NFL is bigger than ever 15 years later. The World Cup is a once in a lifetime event and may give the A-league a short-term boost again but once all the fanfare and razzamattaz has died down afterwards AFL will dominate once again and soccer will take a back seat as a niche spectator sport.
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Soccer is not in the fabric of the Australian sporting culture as is AFL cricket or tennis.
Although the Socceroos are enjoying a huge amount of support and are providing the general public with a small sense of pride making the world cup for a second successive time, the game at the domestic level is lagging far far behind and Australia's no 1 status in Asia is due to the overseas based players getting us there rather than programs or players from the A League level.
Furthermore many of these new found soccer converts are hard core rugby union, league or AFL fans and whilst the going is good with the national team I guess the immediate interest will be there. This was evident in Germany in 2006 where there were more Wallaby tops than Socceroo guernseys on show from these new so called fans.
A World Cup won't harm the sport and will provide a great deal of cash for the economy. However it may not generate enough interest to cause a boom in the sport once the world cup is over. The example is the US where after so many years after the inception of MLS after they had held the world cup in 1994 the crowds are dwindling despite the inception of the new team from Seattle. Private ownership is keeping the clubs afloat as is the huge TV market there but the fact still remains the teams are playing in stadia less than half full.
Just look at the issues it is causing to NRL AND AFL the proposal of having the WC here in 2018/2022. Soccer may be the World Game but our geographical location in the Southern Hemisphere where the sport will be held in winter not Summer as well the compensation and uproar the sporting fabric of this country will have to endure to stage the event will cause problems although not insurmountable but definentely hugely problematic. The Olympics in 2000 brought the start of the season forward by 3 weeks but it still was a 22 week season with 4 weeks of finals and the Commonweath games of 2006 saw that there was no matches at the G till about round 3 or 4 in 2006. Hey in 2000 when Colonial Stadium opened a few games were switched to the G due to the surface being less than acceptable. Hardly a problem for a few weeks.
Personally I think the WC will be great in terms of tourism and money for Oz and the fact that Oz has held major sporting events before with great success bode well. FIFA also want to promote the game worldwide in areas it has traditionally struggled like in SA next year and by staging it here they at least put a foot in the door in the sporting landscape of this country. I think it will be held here in 2022 and all these problems will be real some day, however Soccer will never ever be fully accepted and will always be AFL's and NRL'S as well as crickets poorer less popular cousin who will only attract attention every WC qualification campaign and every WC. No matter how much money FIFA the Oz Government or TV sponsors or the FFA put into it sport at the grass roots level and at the club level will never prosper. The crowds are testament to this. More interest in the Socceroos than watching the A League in Northern NSW or FNQ.
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I think wed be better of spending hundreds of millions of dollars fixing up healthcare services in Australia.
same can be said for Tiger Woods coming down under, Comm games etc etc so that argument dont wash with me. The cost to bring Tiger cost 3mil, but resulted in what a 20million dollar windful for the state. As a taxpayer i am more than happy with that return.
The Cup would mean more kids playing the sport and keeping active instead of hitting the streets and i am happy with that.
The fact is with the money such a tournament brings we will have more surplus money to use on things like the Health system, roads, education etc etc
the afl are fools if they are scared Soccer will take over this country. Not a chance in hell but it is the world game and we must embrace it
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The fact is with the money such a tournament brings we will have more surplus money to use on things like the Health system, roads, education etc etc
Sorry daniel I see this comment as being flawed. Money raised from tourism is not going to create the 100's of millions of dollars that this bid is going to cost. The only way that the government gets "surplus" money is via taxes and it is highly doubtful that the tax revenue would generate as much as the government is spending.
Did the State Govt get one cent back from what they directly contributed in Tiger's fee? No -0 they get excited because it generates $$$ for the economy but those $$$ didn't and don't come directly for the sporting event itself.
As I said in a previous post - we host the World Cup and FIFA get the $$$ (or the vast majority) from ticket sales. How can that be could for the economy when we don't get the cream but we fork out the $$$ to satisfy ridiculous demands made by FIFA
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daniel - your assertion that Soccer will take over the country and we should sit back and allow this because we would learn from the game and reap untold rewards is hard to swallow. Surely you can see that unless Soccer absorbs all of the youth of Australia, weekly fills the stadiums and then is taken up by free to air TV it will remain a second tier sport to AFL and NRL regardless of a short flurry of interest a World Cup may bring.
Cultural change is the hardest shift to create (as we can see by the millions the AFL have and are about to spend on lifting the crowds to footy games in Sydney and Queensland). To leap frog AFL Soccer would need to not only markedly increase in popularity in general but also hope that the AFL implode, much like what league did to a certain degree with Superleague.
For all the benefits this may bring to the economy, if this hurts the AFL or especially my beloved Tigers in any way, then I'm against it.
Stripes
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daniel - your assertion that Soccer will take over the country and we should sit back and allow this because we would learn from the game and reap untold rewards is hard to swallow. Surely you can see that unless Soccer absorbs all of the youth of Australia, weekly fills the stadiums and then is taken up by free to air TV it will remain a second tier sport to AFL and NRL regardless of a short flurry of interest a World Cup may bring.
Cultural change is the hardest shift to create (as we can see by the millions the AFL have and are about to spend on lifting the crowds to footy games in Sydney and Queensland). To leap frog AFL Soccer would need to not only markedly increase in popularity in general but also hope that the AFL implode, much like what league did to a certain degree with Superleague.
For all the benefits this may bring to the economy, if this hurts the AFL or especially my beloved Tigers in any way, then I'm against it.
Stripes
Striped read my post again.
i wrote "if the AFL or anyone think Soccer will take over this country they are kidding themselves" IT WONT HAPPEN IS WHAT I WROTE.
I cant believe you think it would hurt our game. What do you think people who have Yellow and Black running through their veins will switch off and stop following our game because of this.
To repeat what someone said on here, the cup comes down under then for a few years Australia will be Soccer crazy but thats it. After a few years people will forget and move on, but more kids will be playing "a sport" and thats good for our country.
As for the money it will generate. i cant believe you cant see it i really cant.
millions of people flock into our country, spend their money in our restaurants and stay in our hotels yet some of you think we wont break in.
Ticket sales pail in comparison to the money people would spend in our country.
you want to know what a waste of a sport is. The Grand Prix.
It does nothing to our economy because no one cares yet year after year they still put on a show for a loss.
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I agree with you that the World Cup will generate a large amount of finances for Australia, as I wrote in an earlier post, but I do believe it would hurt our code. It certainly wouldn't sway you or me but it would influence the young kids and it may generate enough support that TV ratings, sponsorship, membership etc are given to Soccer instead of the AFL. The more interest that is generated in another sport, the more money it will take - money which would have been going to the AFL.
People proclaim that their is room enough for everyone and every code to survive in Australia which is true but their isn't room for every code to prosper. If the AFL start to become increasingly popular in NSW then people will start to switch their loyalties to GWS games over Parramatta games, buy memberships, watch on TV etc People can support more than one team and more than one code but sooner or later funds and/or conflicts will occur when they have to decide which will eat into NRL rating, merchandise sales etc. The same can be said for Soccer.
It is all about interest and exposure. With the World Cup overwhelming Australia via the media and demanding all the major grounds across the country it will generate the ground swell it needs to lift participation, interest and money in its domestic competition. It is the reason the World Cup is being played in South Africa next year too - Soccer is trying to (much like the AFL in GWS and GC) overwhelm and break into foreign markets.
Overall, looking beyond the short term monetary gains the country will make, the World Cup can only prove damaging to our great game, short term and long.
Stripes
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Stripes just reading the papers i can see this happening if we arent careful.
dismiss the World Cup in our state and Sydney picks up the slack then we may find ourselves in a deeper hole.
AFL needs Sydney but Sydney doesnt need the AFL. If they get the World Cup games we should get, including the Final then the AFL can kiss this west sydney crap goodbye. it will be over before it started. FACT!!
Sydney are loving the fact we have said no to Etihad because all that means is everything gets moved across the border.
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(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sleep024.gif)
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On the other hand, it will probably mean that AFL premiership matches are played in regional areas, which will be a boon for the local football supporters, (and businesses).
Also Just think of damage to soccer in this country if there is any violent clashes between rival supporters which is always a possability.
I can't see the world cup, on it's own, having any real long term impact on the viability of Aussie rules in this country. We have vast numbers of immigrants from countries where soccer is the number one code or even the only code, yet aussie rules is not the sole domain of anglo saxons. As a spectalce aussie rules has much more to offer than soccer, which has a huge drawback in producing many nil all draws. Hockey administrators realised this years ago and removed the off side law so as to allow more goal scoring, something i cant see FIFA doing in our lifetime, if ever.
If by the time the world cup roled around, soccer was making inroads then yes the world cup could be the icing on the cake. As it stands, if the world cup was played in australia next year, the long term impact would be small.
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Richmond home games at Princes Park during the World Cup?
Early AFL season, game moves floated in Australia's World Cup soccer bid
Jim Wilson
Herald Sun December 10, 2009 10:17PM
AN EARLY start to the season and possible relocation of games to Visy Park, Skilled Stadium and interstate are among the options given to the AFL by organisers of Australia's World Cup bid.
The Herald Sun has obtained a copy of a Football Federation Australia document sent to the other football codes, outlining the options for their sports should Australia host the Cup in 2018 or 2022.
There are five options presented to the AFL - using the 2018 calendar as a guide - which all work on the assumption that the AFL will have moved to a 24-week season.
The Grand Final is locked in for September 28 on all options.
One option is to start the season as early as February 2 and have a nine-week break.
Another is to begin the season as normal in early March and relocate games for nine weeks at alternative venues.
FFA chief Ben Buckley envisaged some clubs, such as Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond, playing home games at the revamped base of arch-enemy Carlton.
Others, such as North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, would have bases at Skilled Stadium, while yet others would find themselves playing in Launceston, Darwin and Canberra.
The document also proposes that St Kilda play at Geelong, and factors in a yet-to-be-built or funded "E-Gate" stadium in West Melbourne as another option for AFL matches.
Buckley said the FFA was "working with all the sports and we are not pointing the finger and saying, 'You should do it this way' ".
"It's not our right to tell someone how to run their own sport but we've simply put some options forward.
"We want to explore with the AFL and governments the alternative venues and what it might take to upgrade those and to use on a temporary basis to satisfy the needs."
Buckley, who was Demetriou's No. 2 at the AFL, said he "totally respected" the AFL.
"I grew up in the AFL system and they gave me a huge start in my professional career," he said.
"We've seen from the outset the World Cup is a World Cup for Australia and not just for a sport. It's not just for football and it will have wide ranging benefits for all Australians.
"We respect the fact there are complex issues and I respect other sports have to protect the interests of their own stakeholders.
"We are listening, we will seek to solve the problems in partnership with the sports and the state and federal governments."
Visy Park, which hasn't staged an AFL match since 2005, would need a considerable and costly upgrade if it was required to host games.
"The capacity right now is around 20,000 and it would need plenty spent on it to bring it up to a match venue," a Carlton spokesman said last night.
"There's no seating at one end of the ground where the old Heatley Stand used to be and across the board the outlay would be significant. Media facilities would need upgrading, maybe even a second tier on the Legends Stand would be required and that all costs a lot of money."
The AFL yesterday maintained its stance that the FFA was reneging on a promise made last year that Etihad Stadium was not part of the World Cup bid.
"The AFL supports our bid for the World Cup no question, but we need Etihad Stadium to run a viable competition," an AFL spokesman said.
It remains unclear whether FIFA would permit AFL being played in Melbourne during the cup, even at alternate venues away from the MCG and Etihad Stadium.
"We want to work with Victoria to bring as many World Cup games to Victoria and we acknowledge taking Etihad out of the AFL fixture for a period of time will be disruptive," Buckley said.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/what-in-the-world/story-e6frf9jf-1225809208392
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One option is to start the season as early as February 2 and have a nine-week break.
Wouldn't that be great?
For people who arent soccer fans and despite what people think there are a number out there, what are they supposed to do for 9 weeks? Play monopoly or chess
That's one of the glaring flaws in this whole World Cup business. The tournament goes for a 1 month (aka 4 weeks) the idea that other codes having to shut down for 9 weeks is unfair and IMHO cannot be justified.
4 weeks is tolerable at best - 9 weeks is unacceptable
Another is to begin the season as normal in early March and relocate games for nine weeks at alternative venues.
FFA chief Ben Buckley envisaged some clubs, such as Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond, playing home games at the revamped base of arch-enemy Carlton.
:banghead :banghead what a joke and a disgrace - forc tteams to play games at Visy then the FFA better be prepared to offer compensation to AFL Clubs because clubs wont make any money out there.
Oh and btw to re-furbish Visy back to AFL standard .....um...er.... who's going to pay for that?
The taxpayer?
Seriously here's a thought Frank Lowry the Chairman of the FFA is one of this country's wealthiest men, perhaps he should start paying for a few things and then I might change my tune
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AUSTRALIA has launched its bid to host the 2018 or 2022 soccer World Cup, with the event promising to bring a $3.9 billion bonanza to the nation.
The winning bidders will be announced in December, 2010.
Rival bidders for the 2018 World Cup are Australia, Belgium/Netherlands, England, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Portugal/Spain, Russia and United States
The same nations plus Qatar and South Korea will also bid for the 2022 World Cup.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25633831-11088,00.html
I reckon we have zero chance for 2018 as it'll go to Europe but 2022 is a chance.
Boo Hiss! I don't want it, I hope the AFL effectively run an interference campaign on this one.
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One option is to start the season as early as February 2 and have a nine-week break.
Wouldn't that be great?
For people who arent soccer fans and despite what people think there are a number out there, what are they supposed to do for 9 weeks? Play monopoly or chess
That's one of the glaring flaws in this whole World Cup business. The tournament goes for a 1 month (aka 4 weeks) the idea that other codes having to shut down for 9 weeks is unfair and IMHO cannot be justified.
4 weeks is tolerable at best - 9 weeks is unacceptable
Another is to begin the season as normal in early March and relocate games for nine weeks at alternative venues.
FFA chief Ben Buckley envisaged some clubs, such as Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond, playing home games at the revamped base of arch-enemy Carlton.
:banghead :banghead what a joke and a disgrace - forc tteams to play games at Visy then the FFA better be prepared to offer compensation to AFL Clubs because clubs wont make any money out there.
Oh and btw to re-furbish Visy back to AFL standard .....um...er.... who's going to pay for that?
The taxpayer?
Seriously here's a thought Frank Lowry the Chairman of the FFA is one of this country's wealthiest men, perhaps he should start paying for a few things and then I might change my tune
we the taxpaer as you so rightly put it WP, should foot the bill for a revamped Visy Park if its going to bring us a return of millions in getting the Cup. Provided of course we get compensated. That i agree with!!
Its a return which would be justified unlike that rubbish of a Grand Prix which nets us a loss every year those fools run around that thing. What a joke!!
FWIW i dont rate the A League at all in fact i have yet to and wont go to a game because i think its a average competetion but the World cup and the Soceroos is a different ball game one which would bring be an amazing thing to happen to our country, in terms of our economy and exposure it will give us to other countries.
The AFL wont suffer what is wrong with some of you lot. In order for Soccer to be the No1 sport the A league needs to have more money poured into it and that wont happen. NO money for Star players means average competition.
So meladramatic and scared its laughable actually. Soccer is going to take over our AFL what are we going to go..hahaha
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AUSTRALIA has launched its bid to host the 2018 or 2022 soccer World Cup, with the event promising to bring a $3.9 billion bonanza to the nation.
The winning bidders will be announced in December, 2010.
Rival bidders for the 2018 World Cup are Australia, Belgium/Netherlands, England, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Portugal/Spain, Russia and United States
The same nations plus Qatar and South Korea will also bid for the 2022 World Cup.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25633831-11088,00.html
I reckon we have zero chance for 2018 as it'll go to Europe but 2022 is a chance.
Boo Hiss! I don't want it, I hope the AFL effectively run an interference campaign on this one.
It would reflect badly on the AFL if they came across as purely and unreasonably obstructive. Not good to be the one that prevents thousands of visitors from 31 other countries flocking to Australia filling up hotels, restaurants and visiting other local tourist spots while they are here. Not to mention the construction jobs. Too many interests want it here. The AFL knows this hence its support for the bid.
At the moment it's FIFA that is being unreasonable because it won't confirm nor dismiss concerns the other major football codes have. Ben Buckley can say he doesn't want to harm the other codes but he doesn't set the conditions to host a World Cup. FIFA does. Demetriou is grandstanding when he says a whole AFL season could be shutdown but he's right for once to defend Aussie Rules and raise legitimate concerns and issues.
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Soccer final fix is in as Australia bids to lure the biggest tournament on the globe
Peter Rolfe From: Sunday Herald Sun December 13, 2009
SYDNEY will host the World Cup soccer final if Australia's bid to lure the biggest tournament on the globe down under is successful in 2018 or 2022.
In a move that will infuriate Victorian sports fans, sources involved in the bid say a deal has been done behind closed doors to play the high-profile final in the harbour city rather than Melbourne.
The MCG has been overlooked in favour of Sydney's Olympic Stadium, according to the sources who say the agreement was struck after pressure from Sydney soccer heavyweights and the NSW Government.
A Sunday Herald Sun investigation into the status of Australia's bid also revealed:
THE BRUMBY Government says it is powerless to intervene in a stoush between the AFL and Football Federation Australia over use of the MCG, despite spending more than $77 million to redevelop the ground before the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
A TUG-OF-WAR between the Federal Government and the states over who should pay to host the Cup is unlikely to be resolved until February.
A GROUP of foreign journalists was recently shown around Etihad Stadium and told it would be an integral part of Australia's bid, though the AFL has first rights to the venue and has declared it off limits.
THREE high-placed sources from different areas of Australia's bid have said Sydney has stitched up the final. All three said that Sydney shopping mall king Frank Lowy and Sydney Major Events boss John O'Neil had been major movers behind the deal.
"I think everyone involved sees it that way," one source said. "Frank Lowy, John O'Neil, these groups have been tight for some time and it's very clear that that agreement is in place.
"There will be some unhappy people in Melbourne and rightly so."
Another source said the fact the headquarters of Football Federation Australia, the game's governing body in Australia, was in Sydney also played a part.
"I don't think anyone who has inside knowledge of this thinks the final will be anywhere but Sydney," he said.
Football Federation Australia spokeswoman Bonita Mersiades said decisions on where matches would be played should Australia win the bid were not likely to be made until February.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/soccer-final-fix-is-in-as-australia-bids-to-lure-the-biggest-tournament-on-the-globe/story-e6frf7l6-1225809786849
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we the taxpaer as you so rightly put it WP, should foot the bill for a revamped Visy Park if its going to bring us a return of millions in getting the Cup. Provided of course we get compensated. That i agree with!!
Its a return which would be justified unlike that rubbish of a Grand Prix which nets us a loss every year those fools run around that thing. What a joke!!
daniel we are going around in cricles here but actually by raising the Grand Prix as a comparison you actually highlight why I have major problems with Aust bidding for the World Cup and using taxpayers money to do it.
And just as a by and by to date the Fed govt has poured in $43 million into this bid, money IMHO that could be better spent on other services in desperate need of funding.
But back to you example of the Grand Prix. The Govt pay to have and run the thing in Victoria. Year after year the Govt bleats that although it loses money (this yeat it was over $20mil IIRC) the money generated and subsequently bought into the Victoria economy is far greater than the loss we the taxpayer have to cover. It maybe great for tourism but at the end of the day the question is: does the govt re-coup it's losses with this $$ injection into the ecomony? Do the taxes paid back to the state govt cover the loss? That's the question and most people agree the answers is NO but yeap no doubt it is great for individual businesses
Which brings us to the World Cup - you base all your arguments on the belief that their is going to be some great pot of gold at the end of the World Cup.
Can you guarantee it?
Look at the number of countries that have hosted the Olympics and lost money (every heard of Montreal?). Look at what's happening in South Africa and the new stadium they had to build (demanded by FIFA no less) across the road from what is considered one of the best rugby stadiums in the world and that Sth Africa wanted to use for the final but FIFA said NO you must build a new one for soccer...... once the World Cup is over it is extremely doubtful it will ever get used again.
As I said so far the Govt spent $43 million for the bid alone with more funds (taxpayers $$$) available if needed.
Now we are talking about having to fund upgrades to old surburban footy grounds to bring then back up to AFL standard to use them for a few weeks (Visy would cost at least $20 mil) or heaven forbid if Etihad at available build another "boutique stadium" in West Melbourne at the railyards ("E Park") which would cost based on how much the new rectangular stadium cost would be at least $300-400 mil
Australia would also need to upgrade a number of rugby stadiums for use to bring them up to FIFA's demand of all venues having a minimum capacity for 40k people.
Oh and BTW the new rectangular stadium here in Melb can't be used becuase of this very demand as it falls short by 5K. But hey for another $105 mil we can increase its capicity to 40k but it would out of commission for a few years (source The Age Sat 12/12/09).
I've posted a couple of times that the $$$ from tickets sales will not come to Australia - they go back to FIFA. So there clearly isn't any millions coming our from those.
So at the moment if we are successful we are looking at perhaps spending say $500 million taxpayer dollars. Forgive me but I can think of far more important things to spend hundreds of millions of taxpayers $$$ on.
And tell me where are the millions that I keep getting told we are likely to make going to come from?
We know it aint form tickets sales and you can chuck in TV rights too because like the Olympics FIFA gets all of those too.
So it just like our "white elephant" called the Grand Prix it would appear we will be relying on the majority of the millions coming from tourism $$$. Will the govt's cut of that be enough to cover the millions they fork out? For me that's the real question and one that no-one, not the Govt, not the FFA has a real answer to
And finally - am I worried about the future of the AFL if we get the Wolrd Cup? Not in the slighest. The A-League is NO threat to the AFL. I watched it last night on Fox and the standard was terrible, the crowd numbers pathetic so I would think the FFA would be the ones worried rather than the AFL (and if they aren't they should be)
My concerns about this World Cup bid has nothing to do with whether I am concerned about the future of the AFL - it is solely based on the money (taxpayers $$$) being spent on something that we are no certainties to get and in the overall scheme things I question whether we really need to have
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we the taxpaer as you so rightly put it WP, should foot the bill for a revamped Visy Park if its going to bring us a return of millions in getting the Cup. Provided of course we get compensated. That i agree with!!
Its a return which would be justified unlike that rubbish of a Grand Prix which nets us a loss every year those fools run around that thing. What a joke!!
daniel we are going around in cricles here but actually by raising the Grand Prix as a comparison you actually highlight why I have major problems with Aust bidding for the World Cup and using taxpayers money to do it.
And just as a by and by to date the Fed govt has poured in $43 million into this bid, money IMHO that could be better spent on other services in desperate need of funding.
But back to you example of the Grand Prix. The Govt pay to have and run the thing in Victoria. Year after year the Govt bleats that although it loses money (this yeat it was over $20mil IIRC) the money generated and subsequently bought into the Victoria economy is far greater than the loss we the taxpayer have to cover. It maybe great for tourism but at the end of the day the question is: does the govt re-coup it's losses with this $$ injection into the ecomony? Do the taxes paid back to the state govt cover the loss? That's the question and most people agree the answers is NO but yeap no doubt it is great for individual businesses
Which brings us to the World Cup - you base all your arguments on the belief that their is going to be some great pot of gold at the end of the World Cup.
Can you guarantee it?
Look at the number of countries that have hosted the Olympics and lost money (every heard of Montreal?). Look at what's happening in South Africa and the new stadium they had to build (demanded by FIFA no less) across the road from what is considered one of the best rugby stadiums in the world and that Sth Africa wanted to use for the final but FIFA said NO you must build a new one for soccer...... once the World Cup is over it is extremely doubtful it will ever get used again.
As I said so far the Govt spent $43 million for the bid alone with more funds (taxpayers $$$) available if needed.
Now we are talking about having to fund upgrades to old surburban footy grounds to bring then back up to AFL standard to use them for a few weeks (Visy would cost at least $20 mil) or heaven forbid if Etihad at available build another "boutique stadium" in West Melbourne at the railyards ("E Park") which would cost based on how much the new rectangular stadium cost would be at least $300-400 mil
Australia would also need to upgrade a number of rugby stadiums for use to bring them up to FIFA's demand of all venues having a minimum capacity for 40k people.
Oh and BTW the new rectangular stadium here in Melb can't be used becuase of this very demand as it falls short by 5K. But hey for another $105 mil we can increase its capicity to 40k but it would out of commission for a few years (source The Age Sat 12/12/09).
I've posted a couple of times that the $$$ from tickets sales will not come to Australia - they go back to FIFA. So there clearly isn't any millions coming our from those.
So at the moment if we are successful we are looking at perhaps spending say $500 million taxpayer dollars. Forgive me but I can think of far more important things to spend hundreds of millions of taxpayers $$$ on.
And tell me where are the millions that I keep getting told we are likely to make going to come from?
We know it aint form tickets sales and you can chuck in TV rights too because like the Olympics FIFA gets all of those too.
So it just like our "white elephant" called the Grand Prix it would appear we will be relying on the majority of the millions coming from tourism $$$. Will the govt's cut of that be enough to cover the millions they fork out? For me that's the real question and one that no-one, not the Govt, not the FFA has a real answer to
And finally - am I worried about the future of the AFL if we get the Wolrd Cup? Not in the slighest. The A-League is NO threat to the AFL. I watched it last night on Fox and the standard was terrible, the crowd numbers pathetic so I would think the FFA would be the ones worried rather than the AFL (and if they aren't they should be)
My concerns about this World Cup bid has nothing to do with whether I am concerned about the future of the AFL - it is solely based on the money (taxpayers $$$) being spent on something that we are no certainties to get and in the overall scheme things I question whether we really need to have
you raise some good points
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As I said so far the Govt spent $43 million for the bid alone with more funds (taxpayers $$$) available if needed.
What in the Sam Hill has this money been spent on. Does this bidding work like that for the Olympics, where you need to lavish gifts onto the delegates to win the bid?
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Lots of hidden sources but no direct quotes from anyone that matters. Sydney doesn't have a 100,000 seat stadium and based on the A-league the support for the game is overwhelmingly stronger in Melbourne. Mind you given the Sydney-centric nature of those that run soccer in Australia it wouldn't be surprising if all the Socceroos' group games in a World Cup and the final were held up there.
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As I said so far the Govt spent $43 million for the bid alone with more funds (taxpayers $$$) available if needed.
What in the Sam Hill has this money been spent on. Does this bidding work like that for the Olympics, where you need to lavish gifts onto the delegates to win the bid?
Pretty much so al. You got to woo governing confederation bodies within FIFA just like the IOC and a successful bid is as much about politics and getting the numbers than simply the quality of the bid. For instance we are unlikely to gain the 2018 World Cup because Europe as a confederation won't want to wait 16 years to host the WC in 2022. They've never had to wait more than 8 years in the past so to them 12 years (2018) is already stretching it. You'll find we as part of the Asian confederation we will support a European bid in 2018 in the hope that Europe supports our bid in 2022 ahead of the USA.
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The World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world. Even bigger than the Olympics. We know Governments think short-term and like to follow the old adage of giving the people what they want. Sure the tourism, hospitality and construction industries will be the main beneficiaries but it's not every day you can guarantee thousands of visitors from 31 other countries to all rock up at once and spend (both meanings) a month in Australia. There's also the Confederations Cup beforehand so overall impact is longer than a month. The global advertisment of Australia for both tournaments to billions of people around the world will most likely continually attract more visitors for a period after the World Cup. Call it cynical WP but governments like happy voters. There's also a view that soccer is a useful tool to build closer and stronger business and trading relationships with Asia and Asian trading partners. Something in common to bridge differences and overcome old suspicions and stereotypes. Potentially bringing in more money to Australia. There are too many interests that want the World Cup for any Government to say no. The AFL and NRL know this hence their support for the bid despite their obvious concerns. Can the $$$ spent be guaranteed justifie to be recouped in the long-run? Who knows but I'm sure there'll be a Government report afterwards saying the overall economy has more the recouped the expense lol. As an alternative example to the GP, Tiger Woods fee for the Australian Masters was money well spent. Just in time too :wallywink.
The issue for the AFL (and NRL) is how they will deal with a World Cup in Australia. As much as Demetriou is copping criticism for raising concerns he is right to do so. Listening to Craig Foster and the SBS soccer-only fraternity it is unbelievable how deluded they are. Claiming this arvo that it's all about soccer being dominant in 50 years time (you're dreaming Fos) and that FIFA, the FFA and the soccer community don't have to care what other sports say because none of the FIFA delegates would have heard of Aussie Rules so AFL complaints won't make a difference to the bid and it's all a Melbourne media beat-up (I told ya the SBS soccer crew hate Melbourne through shear jealously and it eats at them Aussie Rules is No.1 :yep ). They don't care so much about AFL they spent 20 minutes of their show on the AFL's responses :lol :wallywink.
The AFL competition cannot shut down for any longer than 2 weeks IMO as a lengthy break would compromise the season. We saw in 1990 how a 3 week break in the finals stuffed up Essendon's premiership chances and gave the flag to Collingwood. The AFL needs at least a 50k stadium to play its games during the WC. Etihad was meant to be that stadium until the FFA changed it mind about not needing it. Talk of playing at Princess Park or Kardinia Park is unrealistic simply in terms of numbers. Half of club members wouldn't be able to attend their own team's home games for 10 weeks. The reality is the AFL has a binding contract with Etihad and it's up to the FFA and the Government to satisfy the AFL whether FIFA wants to acknowledge the existence of other major football codes in Australia or stupidly not. Who should pay for new and upgraded stadia - not the AFL - and the AFL should demand these things as compensation. Use the World Cup for the benefit of AFL long-term in terms of new/upgraded infrastructure without the AFL paying a cent.
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An interesting article on the ABC;
The AFL harbours concerns of a second interrupted season and being booted out of its Melbourne headquarters by world governing body FIFA should Australia be successful in its World Cup bid.
The depth of the AFL's fears is laid out in correspondence from chief executive Andrew Demetriou to his opposite number at Football Federation Australia, Ben Buckley.
The letter, seen by the ABC, is dated November 24 and is the source of the rift between the organisations.
It was written two weeks before the issues erupted in public. When it hit the front pages, the AFL's angst was well known to Buckley.
Writes Demetriou:
"The AFL Commission wishes to place on record its extreme disappointment with the lack of accurate and consistent information from the FFA on the implications of the World Cup on the AFL competition and the AFL clubs.
"This lack of clear information and what appears to be indifference frankly, reluctance to help the AFL to ascertain the impact on our competition, is frustrating.
"In addition to questions regarding the MCG and Docklands that fuelled the public bickering last week, the AFL urgently sought clarification as to whether the Confederations Cup, held in the year preceding a World Cup, would force interruptions to the AFL season.
"We also understand that the Confederations Cup is played as a warm-up to the World Cup in the year prior to the World Cup.
"Therefore, the FFA cannot guarantee that the impact on the AFL competition, clubs and their supporters, will not be over two years instead of one as originally advised by the FFA."
At the conclusion of the three-page letter, the AFL posed nine questions to the FFA:
1. Is it a requirement of the World Cup that no AFL matches can be played in cities hosting World Cup matches for the duration of the World Cup in those cities?
2. Is the AFL competition going to be asked to shut down for 10 weeks to accommodate the World Cup? Given the location of our clubs in the five mainland capital cities, Geelong and from 2011 the Gold Coast, can you please advise what FIFA/FFA is demanding to stage the World Cup and what the precise impact will be on AFL venues in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Geelong, Canberra and the Gold Coast?
3. Has the FFA proposed, or planning to propose that the MCG be redeveloped at a cost of $130 million for the World Cup and be unavailable for AFL matches for 16 weeks in the year of the World Cup?
4. Is FIFA/FFA planning to take over the AFL offices for the duration of the World Cup and if so, for how many weeks?
5. Is FIFA/FFA planning to take over the offices and training facilities of AFL clubs so that they can be used by countries participating in the World Cup?
6. We have read media reports indicating that the FFA estimates that the economic impact of the World Cup in Australia would be some $5.4 billion. In your financial modelling of the World Cup in Australia, have you factored in the impact in the $3.4 billion Australian football contributes to the Australian economy each year if the AFL competition is forced to shut down for 10 weeks and is banned from using the MCG for 16 weeks?
7. Specifically, has the FFA/FIFA budgeted or are you planning to budget to compensate the AFL and its clubs for any loss of revenue for accommodating the World Cup?
8. Is it the intention of FIFA and or the FFA to ask the Federal Government to legislate so that FIFA/FFA can take over venues for the World Cup, the AFL offices and the training and administration bases of AFL clubs so that they can be used by teams competing in the World Cup and to prevent other major sporting competitions playing matches during the period of the World Cup?
9. Will the Confederations Cup be played in Australia the year before the World Cup if Australia's bid is successful and if so, what will the impact on the AFL competition including what current AFL venues would FIFA/FFA take over for the duration of the Confederations Cup?
Confirming the authenticity of the letter, an AFL spokesman told the ABC:
"We did receive a letter from the FFA responding to Andrew's letter. It didn't contain either the detailed information on the impact that a World Cup would have on our season, or the clarification that we were seeking over the use of Etihad Stadium that we were initially told in November 2008 that would remain with the AFL.
"We are still waiting to be informed on how we can run a season concurrently with a World Cup."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/14/2770679.htm?site=sport§ion=football
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If you want to read the deluded rantings of Craig Foster here's the link from the Sydney Morning Herald
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/other-codes-need-to-get-real-20091212-kpik.html
For delusion at its best this next bit is as classic :rollin
"In Australia, the world game is a rising tide that will ultimately engulf all before it, and the World Cup is a quadrennial turbine that drives tremendous energy and passion for football on a regular cycle. To use the terminology of the times, it's a ''clean'' energy consistent with our 21st-century considerations, largely free of the massive cultural and behavioural baggage of other sports. It's the perfect game at the perfect time for a country seeking to present a fresh, dynamic face to the world."
I like soccer and played it as a kid but if there's one sport that has cultural baggage and a massive chip on its shoulder in Australia it is soccer. The cultural baggage was the reason the A-league clubs were deliberately made non-ethnic although it is still run in a very Sydney-centric way. Craig Foster is soccer's equivalent of those Aussie rules fans who call soccer "wogball". Fine if you don't like a sport but I've never understood the sheer hatred from one code towards another ???. Replace AFL with NFL in America and Fos would be rightly laughed at as he should be now. Using the popularity of soccer overseas to mock Aussie Rules is nonsensical as we are talking about a World Cup in Australia and in Australia Aussie Rules is kingpin and will always be. Australia doesn't need approval of those overseas to somehow validate our homegrown football codes. It's idiots like Foster who are damaging the bid because ridiculous comments like above only alienate the number of soccer followers who love both codes. Foster doesn't understand nor wants to understand Melbourne sporting culture and is jealous of it.
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An interesting article on the ABC;
The AFL harbours concerns of a second interrupted season and being booted out of its Melbourne headquarters by world governing body FIFA should Australia be successful in its World Cup bid.
The depth of the AFL's fears is laid out in correspondence from chief executive Andrew Demetriou to his opposite number at Football Federation Australia, Ben Buckley.
The letter, seen by the ABC, is dated November 24 and is the source of the rift between the organisations.
It was written two weeks before the issues erupted in public. When it hit the front pages, the AFL's angst was well known to Buckley.
Writes Demetriou:
"The AFL Commission wishes to place on record its extreme disappointment with the lack of accurate and consistent information from the FFA on the implications of the World Cup on the AFL competition and the AFL clubs.
"This lack of clear information and what appears to be indifference frankly, reluctance to help the AFL to ascertain the impact on our competition, is frustrating.
"In addition to questions regarding the MCG and Docklands that fuelled the public bickering last week, the AFL urgently sought clarification as to whether the Confederations Cup, held in the year preceding a World Cup, would force interruptions to the AFL season.
"We also understand that the Confederations Cup is played as a warm-up to the World Cup in the year prior to the World Cup.
"Therefore, the FFA cannot guarantee that the impact on the AFL competition, clubs and their supporters, will not be over two years instead of one as originally advised by the FFA."
Thanks for posting this al. Seems the FFA are being very uncooperative.
At the conclusion of the three-page letter, the AFL posed nine questions to the FFA:
1. Is it a requirement of the World Cup that no AFL matches can be played in cities hosting World Cup matches for the duration of the World Cup in those cities?
There should be as MLB was still allowed to go on during the World Cup in the US in '94.
2. Is the AFL competition going to be asked to shut down for 10 weeks to accommodate the World Cup? Given the location of our clubs in the five mainland capital cities, Geelong and from 2011 the Gold Coast, can you please advise what FIFA/FFA is demanding to stage the World Cup and what the precise impact will be on AFL venues in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Geelong, Canberra and the Gold Coast?
Given point 1. the AFL shouldn't need to shutdown at all although I heard the AFL will take a 2 week break during the WC semi-finals and final.
All 12 stadia should be only needed for the 4-week lead in and the group stages. The biggest stadium in each of the major capital cities would be the ones to be continued to be used during the knockout stage.
Sydney have ANZ and SFS while the AFL can still use the SCG.
Melbourne has the MCG while the AFL uses Etihad.
Brisbane has Suncorp while the AFL uses the 'Gabba as usual.
Adelaide will have the Oval while the AFL can use Footy Park.
Gold Coast has its rectangular stadium while the AFL will use the upgraded Carrara.
The main sticking point is the AFL needs Etihad or a equivalent stadium in Melbourne to stay running. Will the AFL get a new stadium for free as a result?
3. Has the FFA proposed, or planning to propose that the MCG be redeveloped at a cost of $130 million for the World Cup and be unavailable for AFL matches for 16 weeks in the year of the World Cup?
It doesn't sound like this will go ahead. If they were going to spend $130m on the MCG then they'd be better off spending $150m on expanding the new rectangular solving the stadium impass and everyone would be satisfied again.
4. Is FIFA/FFA planning to take over the AFL offices for the duration of the World Cup and if so, for how many weeks?
That's just bizarre.
5. Is FIFA/FFA planning to take over the offices and training facilities of AFL clubs so that they can be used by countries participating in the World Cup?
I've read each team needs a training ground within 20kms of the city's stadium they will be playing in.
6. We have read media reports indicating that the FFA estimates that the economic impact of the World Cup in Australia would be some $5.4 billion. In your financial modelling of the World Cup in Australia, have you factored in the impact in the $3.4 billion Australian football contributes to the Australian economy each year if the AFL competition is forced to shut down for 10 weeks and is banned from using the MCG for 16 weeks?
Should be a moot point as the AFL shouldn't need to shutdown.
7. Specifically, has the FFA/FIFA budgeted or are you planning to budget to compensate the AFL and its clubs for any loss of revenue for accommodating the World Cup?
I would take a guess it would depend on what the AFL gets out of it. If they get a 3rd stadium in Melbourne or kee[p hold onto Eithad plus further upgrades to all other major stadia then that'd be accepted as compensation.
8. Is it the intention of FIFA and or the FFA to ask the Federal Government to legislate so that FIFA/FFA can take over venues for the World Cup, the AFL offices and the training and administration bases of AFL clubs so that they can be used by teams competing in the World Cup and to prevent other major sporting competitions playing matches during the period of the World Cup?
There would be an uproar if legislation was required. Political suicide by the Government if they went down that track.
9. Will the Confederations Cup be played in Australia the year before the World Cup if Australia's bid is successful and if so, what will the impact on the AFL competition including what current AFL venues would FIFA/FFA take over for the duration of the Confederations Cup?
The Confederations Cup is held in June for 2 weeks. Not a major hold-up of Aussie rules with only half the stadia of the WC required.
This can be easily solved but the FFA need to come to the party and compromise.
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In Australia, the world game is a rising tide that will ultimately engulf all before it
:ROTFL
A sport that has nil all draws :sleep :sleep :sleep :sleep :sleep :sleep
largely free of the massive cultural and behavioural baggage of other sports
Geez, that would have to be one of the most ridiculous, delusional, blantantly wrong comments i have ever heard, and i have read some of the coliingwood and carlton boards on big footy when i have been bored.
Craig foster you are an idiot and after reading that anything else you say can only be disregarded as the ramblings of a delusional fool. Unbelievable.
:wallywink
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In Australia, the world game is a rising tide that will ultimately engulf all before it
:ROTFL
A sport that has nil all draws :sleep :sleep :sleep :sleep :sleep :sleep
largely free of the massive cultural and behavioural baggage of other sports
Geez, that would have to be one of the most ridiculous, delusional, blantantly wrong comments i have ever heard, and i have read some of the coliingwood and carlton boards on big footy when i have been bored.
Craig foster you are an idiot and after reading that anything else you say can only be disregarded as the ramblings of a delusional fool. Unbelievable.
:wallywink
al whilst i cant stand the A league and have never been to a game to say a Nil all draw in a world game is boring shows your intelligence.
If it was such a bore why is the worlds most powerful sport.
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In Australia, the world game is a rising tide that will ultimately engulf all before it
:ROTFL
A sport that has nil all draws :sleep :sleep :sleep :sleep :sleep :sleep
largely free of the massive cultural and behavioural baggage of other sports
Geez, that would have to be one of the most ridiculous, delusional, blantantly wrong comments i have ever heard, and i have read some of the coliingwood and carlton boards on big footy when i have been bored.
Craig foster you are an idiot and after reading that anything else you say can only be disregarded as the ramblings of a delusional fool. Unbelievable.
:wallywink
al whilst i cant stand the A league and have never been to a game to say a Nil all draw in a world game is boring shows your intelligence.
If it was such a bore why is the worlds most powerful sport.
Now, now daniel, im not too sure if that is a very accurate measurement of ones intelligence, probably more so ones attention span.
Um what were we talking about? oh yeah soccer.
Im not sure how you measure the most powerfull sport but it is undeniable that soccer is the worlds most popular sport. Why is this? well id guess many reasons. First and foremost it is a fun game to play, but that is different to watching.
If you look through the regions of the world and their most popular sports you see generally there is a trend towards sports popular with the colonial invaders. There are course exceptions such as the USA, who fought and won a war of independance so would have rejected all things brittish. Id feel pretty safe to assume that soccer was introduced to south america by the spanish in the same way that cricket was introduced to the subcontinent by the poms.
The one advantage soccer has is that all you need to play it is a ball and some goal markers. it can be played on nearly any surface even hard surfaces. combine that with for many countries it was the only sport intoduced by colonial rulers and you can understand why it is played all over the world particularly in poorer countries.
Remove the tribal element out of watching soccer, ie watching a game between two sides you have no affiliation with there is not too much to get excited in a nil all draw. Sure i can watch highlights and appreciate the skill shown unfortunately i must just be too dumb to find a nil all draw not much of a spectator sport in the vast majority of cases.
The administrators of hockey, which has a lot of parallels with soccer, removed the offside rule to increase the number of goals scored in an attempt to improve it as a spectator sport. They realised that there are a vast number of us low intelligence people who find scoreless contests boring in the main.
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Its kind of entertaining seeing the schoolyard bully that is the AFL being pushed around for a change.
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The national competition averaged 5000 per game in crowds last week. Thats worse than the NSL. No country deserves a world cup if its only getting 5000 people to a game in their domestic league.
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The national competition averaged 5000 per game in crowds last week. Thats worse than the NSL. No country deserves a world cup if its only getting 5000 people to a game in their domestic league.
LOL at Ramps posting this in every thread in a one-man attempt to bring back the old NSL :lol
FIFA officials as part of viewing Australia's bid came down and watched the Victory play a couple of weeks ago against the Gold Coast at Etihad and were impressed ;).
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Actually the Poms and Irish spread soccer around the world via their trade travels as the world and naval power at the time soccer was codified. AC Milan was started by ex-pat Poms. The Spanish club Athletic Bilbao kept the English spelling instead of switching to Atletico. River Plate of Argentina is another club spelt in pseudo-English rather than Spanish because the club founders saw sailors playing soccer on the docks in Buenos Aires.
Its kind of entertaining seeing the schoolyard bully that is the AFL being pushed around for a change.
There's a lot of grandstanding at the moment. Everyone trying to position themselves to gain from the World Cup coming here and gain an advantage over the other codes.
There was a good article in the Age the other day making fun of whole situation. Pretty funny.
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/stadium-shuffle-a-game-the-big-boys-play-20091211-koox.html
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Actually the Poms and Irish spread soccer around the world via their trade travels as the world and naval power at the time soccer was codified. AC Milan was started by ex-pat Poms. The Spanish club Athletic Bilbao kept the English spelling instead of switching to Atletico. River Plate of Argentina is another club spelt in pseudo-English rather than Spanish because the club founders saw sailors playing soccer on the docks in Buenos Aires.
Its kind of entertaining seeing the schoolyard bully that is the AFL being pushed around for a change.
There's a lot of grandstanding at the moment. Everyone trying to position themselves to gain from the World Cup coming here and gain an advantage over the other codes.
There was a good article in the Age the other day making fun of whole situation. Pretty funny.
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/stadium-shuffle-a-game-the-big-boys-play-20091211-koox.html
Is it still accepted/believed that the game originated in China and do you know it spread from there MT?
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Attracts the biggest bogans in the world of sport also ......
FOUR people were injured and hotel windows were broken when a fight broke out between rival soccer fans last night.
A group of Sydney FC supporters was allegedly attacked by Melbourne Victory rivals at the Duke of Kent Hotel in Lonsdale St before the game at Etihad Stadium.
Police said the fight broke out about 6.10pm, when a passing group allegedly threw computer equipment through the window of the pub.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/soccer-fans-brawl/story-e6frf7jo-1225812070077 (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/soccer-fans-brawl/story-e6frf7jo-1225812070077)
And don't give me that isolated incident happens in all sports krappe either, all of you know well and good the bogans the game attracts all over the world at all levels - Sad excuses for humans a fair percentage of them ....
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Bogans? ::)
I thought it was the wogs taking over?
Can't have it both ways morons.
Get your sterotypes stright before you start talking rubbish, you have no idea about.
Association football fans fighting each other is less no good eh.
- Real fans punch Collingwood midfeilders in the back of the head @ Lakes Entrance,
- or Melbourne players father,
- or Port fans at grand finals eh?
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Actually the Poms and Irish spread soccer around the world via their trade travels as the world and naval power at the time soccer was codified. AC Milan was started by ex-pat Poms. The Spanish club Athletic Bilbao kept the English spelling instead of switching to Atletico. River Plate of Argentina is another club spelt in pseudo-English rather than Spanish because the club founders saw sailors playing soccer on the docks in Buenos Aires.
Its kind of entertaining seeing the schoolyard bully that is the AFL being pushed around for a change.
There's a lot of grandstanding at the moment. Everyone trying to position themselves to gain from the World Cup coming here and gain an advantage over the other codes.
There was a good article in the Age the other day making fun of whole situation. Pretty funny.
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/stadium-shuffle-a-game-the-big-boys-play-20091211-koox.html
Is it still accepted/believed that the game originated in China and do you know it spread from there MT?
I take it most cultures played some sort of game that involved kicking a ball in some fashion. The rules for soccer as we know it weren't formalised and unified until 1877 in England. The FA Cup started until 1871 btw and the Football league in 1888.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_football#Early_history
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Cheers MT, thats interesting. I remember doing a project on soccer in primary school and according to Encyclopedia Britanica (I Think) games were played before the emperor in China, with the winning side being lavished with a great celebratory feast while the losers lost their heads.
That part about the mob football also rings a bell, but sooo long ago
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Cheers MT, thats interesting. I remember doing a project on soccer in primary school and according to Encyclopedia Britanica (I Think) games were played before the emperor in China, with the winning side being lavished with a great celebratory feast while the losers lost their heads.
That part about the mob football also rings a bell, but sooo long ago
They were obviously big on motivation and incentives in those ancient days as well :help
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Soccer will never "damage" the AFL. there will always be room for both codes.
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Soccer will never "damage" the AFL. there will always be room for both codes.
Exactly.
Just as there's room for the WC here in Oz and for the AFL season to continue. The 3 clear options are either the WC just uses the MCG, the FFA expand the Bubbledome so they can use it and the 'G, or they build the AFL a 3rd stadium to use (leaving Etihad and MCG for WC use) and then after the WC the AFL will have 3 stadia in Melbourne to use plus the new Perth stadium and upgraded Adelaide Oval. Add compensation and/or better stadia deals for AFL clubs plus leasing our training venues (RFC could offer one of Punt Rd or Craigieburn for 4 weeks) and once all the hoo-laa settles down after the WC the AFL and its clubs could do quite nicely out of the WC without paying a penny.
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Or the AFL could play games in country Victoria for one season out of 200 years.
And give something back to real supporters of the game.
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Or the AFL could play games in country Victoria for one season out of 200 years.
And give something back to real supporters of the game.
Never going to happen as the AFL and its clubs would lose millions of dollars. By 2022 virtually all clubs will have 40-50k members minimum. The AFL needs a stadium of 50k in Melbourne to play its games and allow club members to all attend.
I could see though clubs playing practice matches in country areas during the 4 week midseason break the AFL is willing to have.
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If there was compensation being paid to the AFL then I could see premiership matches being played in regional areas. It would be a great time to be giving something back to the grass roots supporters who just cant get into the city that often to watch the AFL. It could also be a good opportunity to use some of the compensation to improve the standard of some of these regional facilities.
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Or the AFL could play games in country Victoria for one season out of 200 years.
And give something back to real supporters of the game.
Never going to happen as the AFL and its clubs would lose millions of dollars. By 2022 virtually all clubs will have 40-50k members minimum. The AFL needs a stadium of 50k in Melbourne to play its games and allow club members to all attend.
I could see though clubs playing practice matches in country areas during the 4 week midseason break the AFL is willing to have.
A world cup in Australia would make 100's millions of dollars for this country.
I am sure the Aust. goverment or the FFA would give money to the AFL to make up for one season of loses if the AFL had the balls to play games in the country.
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If there was compensation being paid to the AFL then I could see premiership matches being played in regional areas. It would be a great time to be giving something back to the grass roots supporters who just cant get into the city that often to watch the AFL. It could also be a good opportunity to use some of the compensation to improve the standard of some of these regional facilities.
problem is Andrew Demetriou = Satan
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Or the AFL could play games in country Victoria for one season out of 200 years.
And give something back to real supporters of the game.
Never going to happen as the AFL and its clubs would lose millions of dollars. By 2022 virtually all clubs will have 40-50k members minimum. The AFL needs a stadium of 50k in Melbourne to play its games and allow club members to all attend.
I could see though clubs playing practice matches in country areas during the 4 week midseason break the AFL is willing to have.
A world cup in Australia would make 100's millions of dollars for this country.
I am sure the Aust. goverment or the FFA would give money to the AFL to make up for one season of loses if the AFL had the balls to play games in the country.
The FFA has little money and is putting in $0 into the bid and WC infrastructure. That is why this bid is being 100% taxpayer funded.
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Still not resolved yet according to Sports Tonight last night but they presented a list of twelve stadia for the WC bid leaked out of the FFA (Bonita Mersiades I think was the woman on being interviewed by Neil Cordy). A total of ten of these will be actually used in the WC if we win the bid.
Existing FIFA compliant: MCG, Etihad, ANZ, SFS and Suncorp
New: Western Sydney and Canberra
Upgraded: Adelaide Oval, New Perth/Subiaco, Carrara, Newcastle and Townsville
Main issue in the technical bid book due in May to still be solved is the stadia especially surrounding the 5 upgraded stadia.
Queensland Government questioning the validity of upgrading Dairy Farmers in Townsville to 45k when it'll be too big to maintain financially after the WC.
WA still up in the air in what they will do. If it ever goes ahead it's still yet to be decided if the stadium will be a upgraded revamped Subiaco or a totally new stadium.
All 12 stadia's main tenants after the WC will be either the AFL and/or NRL.
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Or the AFL could play games in country Victoria for one season out of 200 years.
And give something back to real supporters of the game.
Never going to happen as the AFL and its clubs would lose millions of dollars. By 2022 virtually all clubs will have 40-50k members minimum. The AFL needs a stadium of 50k in Melbourne to play its games and allow club members to all attend.
I could see though clubs playing practice matches in country areas during the 4 week midseason break the AFL is willing to have.
A world cup in Australia would make 100's millions of dollars for this country.
I am sure the Aust. goverment or the FFA would give money to the AFL to make up for one season of loses if the AFL had the balls to play games in the country.
The FFA has little money and is putting in $0 into the bid and WC infrastructure. That is why this bid is being 100% taxpayer funded.
FFA = Lowy = $$
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Or the AFL could play games in country Victoria for one season out of 200 years.
And give something back to real supporters of the game.
Never going to happen as the AFL and its clubs would lose millions of dollars. By 2022 virtually all clubs will have 40-50k members minimum. The AFL needs a stadium of 50k in Melbourne to play its games and allow club members to all attend.
I could see though clubs playing practice matches in country areas during the 4 week midseason break the AFL is willing to have.
A world cup in Australia would make 100's millions of dollars for this country.
I am sure the Aust. goverment or the FFA would give money to the AFL to make up for one season of loses if the AFL had the balls to play games in the country.
The FFA has little money and is putting in $0 into the bid and WC infrastructure. That is why this bid is being 100% taxpayer funded.
FFA = Lowy = $$
Lowy = Westfield = $$$
Lowy = FFA input into WC bid = $0
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Interesting development as far as the AFL being able to play on through the WC.
In South Africa, they are going to play a rugby international in Capetown in the middle of the WC at a non-WC venue.
http://www.theworldgame.com.au/2010-world-cup/rugby-crashes-wc-party-286252
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Or the AFL could play games in country Victoria for one season out of 200 years.
And give something back to real supporters of the game.
Never going to happen as the AFL and its clubs would lose millions of dollars. By 2022 virtually all clubs will have 40-50k members minimum. The AFL needs a stadium of 50k in Melbourne to play its games and allow club members to all attend.
I could see though clubs playing practice matches in country areas during the 4 week midseason break the AFL is willing to have.
A world cup in Australia would make 100's millions of dollars for this country.
I am sure the Aust. goverment or the FFA would give money to the AFL to make up for one season of loses if the AFL had the balls to play games in the country.
The FFA has little money and is putting in $0 into the bid and WC infrastructure. That is why this bid is being 100% taxpayer funded.
FFA = Lowy = $$
Lowy = Westfield = $$$
Lowy = FFA input into WC bid = $0
frank lowy influence influence is worth more than money
taking FIFA officals out on his private yacht etc. will have impact
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Or the AFL could play games in country Victoria for one season out of 200 years.
And give something back to real supporters of the game.
Never going to happen as the AFL and its clubs would lose millions of dollars. By 2022 virtually all clubs will have 40-50k members minimum. The AFL needs a stadium of 50k in Melbourne to play its games and allow club members to all attend.
I could see though clubs playing practice matches in country areas during the 4 week midseason break the AFL is willing to have.
A world cup in Australia would make 100's millions of dollars for this country.
I am sure the Aust. goverment or the FFA would give money to the AFL to make up for one season of loses if the AFL had the balls to play games in the country.
The FFA has little money and is putting in $0 into the bid and WC infrastructure. That is why this bid is being 100% taxpayer funded.
FFA = Lowy = $$
Lowy = Westfield = $$$
Lowy = FFA input into WC bid = $0
frank lowy influence influence is worth more than money
taking FIFA officals out on his private yacht etc. will have impact
True Bents but Lowy also needs to get the home front organised because to date it has been a shambles from the FFA. When you look at the American bid with its 21 stadia all with capacity of 65k or more :help it shows what we are up against in this 2022 bid. Everyone needs to go right which it hasn't so far.
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Or the AFL could play games in country Victoria for one season out of 200 years.
And give something back to real supporters of the game.
Never going to happen as the AFL and its clubs would lose millions of dollars. By 2022 virtually all clubs will have 40-50k members minimum. The AFL needs a stadium of 50k in Melbourne to play its games and allow club members to all attend.
I could see though clubs playing practice matches in country areas during the 4 week midseason break the AFL is willing to have.
A world cup in Australia would make 100's millions of dollars for this country.
I am sure the Aust. goverment or the FFA would give money to the AFL to make up for one season of loses if the AFL had the balls to play games in the country.
The FFA has little money and is putting in $0 into the bid and WC infrastructure. That is why this bid is being 100% taxpayer funded.
FFA = Lowy = $$
Lowy = Westfield = $$$
Lowy = FFA input into WC bid = $0
frank lowy influence influence is worth more than money
taking FIFA officals out on his private yacht etc. will have impact
True Bents but Lowy also needs to get the home front organised because to date it has been a shambles from the FFA. When you look at the American bid with its 21 stadia all with capacity of 65k or more :help it shows what we are up against in this 2022 bid. Everyone needs to go right which it hasn't so far.
The World Cup Final will take place at the MCG. :cheers
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The World Cup Final will take place at the MCG. :cheers
It should be played at the MCG given the 'G's sporting history and tradition and the fact Soccer's biggest attendances for the A-league are clearly in Melbourne. But don't be surprised if Lowy and the Sydney-centric goons who think they own Soccer want the final played at Homebush ::).
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AFL blocks Ian Collins World Cup soccer bid for Etihad Stadium
* Michael Warner
* Herald Sun
* February 18, 2010
THE AFL has scored again with Etihad Stadium chief Ian Collins all but closing the door on World Cup soccer being staged at the Docklands venue.
In the latest blow to soccer's bid to host the World Cup in Australia in 2018 or 2022, Collins said yesterday he would honour his stadium's 25-year contract to host AFL matches.
"It's pretty simple to us. Our major tenant is the AFL and they have pre-emptive rights on scheduling," Collins told the Herald Sun.
"And if the AFL decides that they want to schedule 100 footy matches here between February and September then they are entitled to do it.
"They have those rights. If it was in summer time it would be a different kettle of fish. But the real issue is the World Cup is going to be held during winter."
AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has declared Etihad Stadium off limits for World Cup matches - but Collins, until now, has been reluctant to weigh into the cross-code feud.
"The other issue is that there are a lot of contractual arrangements afoot here, whether that be naming rights or the commercial business with car parking. You can't just close those businesses down or jettison somebody out of the area when they have strong contractual rights," Collins said.
"The FFA (Football Federation Australia) and FIFA (world soccer's governing body) might want some of these things, and be quite dogmatic about it, but in the end they might have to compromise their position to ensure that people don't breach agreements."
Collins scoffed at suggestions FFA could use federal legislation to seize temporary control of Etihad Stadium if it did not come willingly to the World Cup party.
"I didn't know that we were at war ... and that's the only time I see where governments can seize control of private property," he said.
"This is all private investors, who have put money into a venture to make it happen. Basically, they are entitled to their return on that investment and it would be pretty hard for the Government to seize something without some substantial compensation. I don't think it has been thought through."
FFA has named the stadium on a list of 12 venues it hopes to use for World Cup matches.
In December, Demetriou said the AFL season would be cancelled if Etihad Stadium and the MCG were out of action.
Under FIFA rules, venues must be vacant for a month before the World Cup, with rival events halted for the duration of the tournament.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl-blocks-ian-collins-world-cup-soccer-bid-for-etihad-stadium/story-e6frf9if-1225828923661
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AFL, NRL, Super to play on during World Cup
* Tom Smithies
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* April 28, 2010
RIVAL football codes will receive Government guarantees that they can continue their seasons uninterrupted if Australia wins the right to host soccer's World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
The assurances from the Rudd Government remove the fear that the AFL, NRL and Super 14 competitions would have to be suspended - or even cancelled - during a World Cup hosted here, the Daily Telegraph reports.
The Government sweetener also includes a multimillion-dollar package for the rival codes to compensate for switching their games to non-World Cup stadiums.
The Federal Government will include the guarantee that the seasons won't have to be suspended in an agreement that will bind all codes into supporting the bid - with the Government prepared to sign it.
The NRL and AFL, in particular, have been up in arms over FIFA's insistence that no other major sporting event can be played in the same city as a World Cup venue for the duration of the tournament.
That and compensation for lost revenue have been the major issues confronting the taskforce charged with securing agreement from the other codes.
But sources close to the taskforce told The Daily Telegraph that no codes will be forced to suspend their seasons if they want to continue throughout a World Cup.
The stadiums used for the World Cup - up to 12 - will still be off-limits, but the other codes will be free to continue their seasons elsewhere, including big events such as Origin.
The source also indicated that broad agreement had been reached on the formulas for assessing which codes receive compensation for moving their games from grounds such as the MCG and ANZ Stadium. "Central to the agreement is an assurance that all codes will be able to continue their seasons in the event of a successful World Cup bid," the source said..
"Season continuity has the absolute backing of the Australian Government, which maintains that the home-and-away seasons of all codes should and will be played in the lead-up to and during the World Cup. These fixtures will not divert attention or resources away from what is the biggest single sporting event in the world."
FIFA's concern over competing events surrounds the ability of police, hotels and transport systems to cope with multiple commitments, and the source emphasised that the government does not believe that will be an issue with the other codes continuing.
FIFA's decision to allow a rugby international in Cape Town on June 12 - the day after France play Uruguay in the World Cup in the same city - is being cited as a precedent, along with the continuation of Major League Baseball in the US in 1994.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-nrl-super-to-play-on-during-world-cup/story-e6frf9io-1225859226514
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The agreement between all 4 football codes for our World Cup bid is done
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/football-codes-sign-off-to-back-world-cup-bid/story-e6frf9jf-1225864223903
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Or the AFL could play games in country Victoria for one season out of 200 years.
And give something back to real supporters of the game.
Never going to happen as the AFL and its clubs would lose millions of dollars. By 2022 virtually all clubs will have 40-50k members minimum. The AFL needs a stadium of 50k in Melbourne to play its games and allow club members to all attend.
I could see though clubs playing practice matches in country areas during the 4 week midseason break the AFL is willing to have.
A world cup in Australia would make 100's millions of dollars for this country.
I am sure the Aust. goverment or the FFA would give money to the AFL to make up for one season of loses if the AFL had the balls to play games in the country.
The FFA has little money and is putting in $0 into the bid and WC infrastructure. That is why this bid is being 100% taxpayer funded.
FFA = Lowy = $$
Lowy = Westfield = $$$
Lowy = FFA input into WC bid = $0
frank lowy influence influence is worth more than money
taking FIFA officals out on his private yacht etc. will have impact
True Bents but Lowy also needs to get the home front organised because to date it has been a shambles from the FFA. When you look at the American bid with its 21 stadia all with capacity of 65k or more :help it shows what we are up against in this 2022 bid. Everyone needs to go right which it hasn't so far.
usa has 300 million odd people
aust. about 20.
you would assume fifa understand they are going to have more soccer grounds than us.
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usa has 300 million odd people
aust. about 20.
you would assume fifa understand they are going to have more soccer grounds than us.
Yeah you would think FIFA will base it on the quality and capacity of the stadia. We have the following minimum of 12 needed for the bid book. 10 of which will be chosen by FIFA for the 2022 World Cup if we win the right to host it.
1. Perth: Redeveloped Subiaco to 60,000 in rectangular format for World Cup, reconfigured to oval format post World Cup.
(http://images.smh.com.au/2010/05/14/1451924/perthstadium-600x400.jpg)
2. Adelaide: Redeveloped Adelaide Oval to 50,000 in oval format for World Cup.
(http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200912/r479972_2438313.jpg)
3. Melbourne: MCG, 100,000, oval
(http://i35.tinypic.com/2crafep.jpg)
4. Geelong: Redeveloped Kardinia to 45,000 in rectangular format for World Cup, reconfigured to oval format post World Cup.
(http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8668/828250skilledstadium.jpg)
5. Canberra: Brand new 45,000 seat rectangular stadium next to Bruce Stadium
(http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200905/r376653_1751841.jpg)
6. Sydney: Stadium Australia, Homebush Bay, 83,000, rectangular.
(http://davidwallphoto.com/images/%7BDDFD21A4-55C9-459C-AFAD-31CE36851143%7D.jpg)
7. Sydney: Sydney Football Stadium, 45,500, rectangular
(http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/oceania/australia/new_south_wales/sydney_aussie1.jpg)
8. Sydney: New Blacktown rectangular stadium, 45,000 .......... (GWS will play at the Sydney Showgrounds in Homebush next to ANZ stadium)
(http://images.smh.com.au/2010/05/14/1451916/blacktown_stadiums-600x400.jpg)
9. Newcastle: Redeveloped Energy Australia Stadium, 45,000, rectangular
(http://images.smh.com.au/2010/05/14/1451921/newcastle_stadium-600x400.jpg)
10. Gold Coast: Redeveloped Carrara Stadium, 45,000, oval.
(http://images.smh.com.au/2010/05/14/1451919/gold_coast-600x400.jpg)
11. Brisbane: Suncorp Stadium (Lang Park), 50,000, rectangular
(http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2009/11/12/853956/Black-Hawk-%284%29-600x400.jpg)
12. Townsville: Redeveloped Diary Farmers Stadium, 45,000, rectangular
(http://images.smh.com.au/2010/05/14/1451927/townsville_stadium-600x400.jpg)
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Looking at that, it seems any short term pain the world cup causes the AFL, will actually become a long term benefit. Upgrades to existing AFL grounds in Subiaco and Kardinia park, with Cararra about to become an AFL ground and wasn't there talk of one of the adelaide clubs playing from the adelaide oval?
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Here's the final official list of 12 stadia including pics: (I've updated MT's post above)
Stadium Australia ............... 83k ....... Minor Upgrade
Sydney Football Stadium...... 41k ....... Minor Upgrade
Blacktown Stadium ............. 41k ....... New Stadium
MCG .................................. 88k ....... Existing Stadium
Brisbane Stadium ............... 50k ....... Existing Stadium
Perth Stadium .................... 60k ....... New Stadium
Adelaide Oval ..................... 48k ....... Major Upgrade
Gold Coast Stadium ............ 40k ....... Major Upgrade
Newcastle Stadium ............. 42k ....... Major Upgrade
Canberra Stadium .............. 40k ........ New Stadium
Geelong Stadium ............... 44k ........ Major Upgrade
Townsville Stadium ............ 40k ........ Major Upgrade
http://www.australia2018-2022.com.au/australias-bid_stadiums.aspx
The AFL should end up with 8 upgraded/new stadia although most of these will be built irrespective of the WC bid being successful or now:
New Subiaco Oval
New Adelaide Oval
MCG
Upgraded Kardinia Park
Upgraded Carrara Stadium
ANZ Stadium
New Sydney Showground (GWS's home ground in Homebush next to ANZ Stadium)
Upgraded Manuka Oval or Bruce stadium reconfigured into an oval.
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The 12 stadia look good although from a financial perspective I don't see the point of new stadia in Canberra and Blacktown. Then again only 10 of the 12 will be needed for the WC so they may both get overlooked. Existing stadia nearby could easily be upgraded for post WC to meet the smaller capacity needs in those regions.
Looking at that, it seems any short term pain the world cup causes the AFL, will actually become a long term benefit. Upgrades to existing AFL grounds in Subiaco and Kardinia park, with Cararra about to become an AFL ground and wasn't there talk of one of the adelaide clubs playing from the adelaide oval?
Yep the SANFL and SACA are meant to bury the hatchet and both the Crows and Power to play out of Adelaide Oval. I think they then plan to demolish Footy Park. I'm presuming they'll keep Footy Park going so the AFL can play there while the World Cup uses Adelaide Oval.
I'm not sure about the move btw. There's an advantage for the SANFL to keep their own stadium as the AFL learnt the hard way once the sold Waverley and then had stadia deals that were at the mercy of the MCC and Collins' Docklands. Footy and Cricket could also clash when each's seasons overlap especially with the AFL expanding to 18 teams.
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usa has 300 million odd people
aust. about 20.
you would assume fifa understand they are going to have more soccer grounds than us.
Yeah you would think FIFA will base it on the quality and capacity of the stadia. We have the following minimum of 12 needed for the bid book. 10 of which will be chosen by FIFA for the 2022 World Cup if we win the right to host it.
1. Perth: Redeveloped Subiaco to 60,000 in rectangular format for World Cup, reconfigured to oval format post World Cup.
(http://images.smh.com.au/2010/05/14/1451924/perthstadium-600x400.jpg)
2. Adelaide: Redeveloped Adelaide Oval to 50,000 in oval format for World Cup.
(http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200912/r479972_2438313.jpg)
3. Melbourne: MCG, 100,000, oval
(http://i35.tinypic.com/2crafep.jpg)
4. Geelong: Redeveloped Kardinia to 45,000 in rectangular format for World Cup, reconfigured to oval format post World Cup.
(http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8668/828250skilledstadium.jpg)
5. Canberra: Brand new 45,000 seat rectangular stadium next to Bruce Stadium
(http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200905/r376653_1751841.jpg)
6. Sydney: Stadium Australia, Homebush Bay, 83,000, rectangular.
(http://davidwallphoto.com/images/%7BDDFD21A4-55C9-459C-AFAD-31CE36851143%7D.jpg)
7. Sydney: Sydney Football Stadium, 45,500, rectangular
(http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/oceania/australia/new_south_wales/sydney_aussie1.jpg)
8. Sydney: New Blacktown rectangular stadium, 45,000 .......... (GWS will play at the Sydney Showgrounds in Homebush next to ANZ stadium)
(http://images.smh.com.au/2010/05/14/1451916/blacktown_stadiums-600x400.jpg)
9. Newcastle: Redeveloped Energy Australia Stadium, 45,000, rectangular
(http://images.smh.com.au/2010/05/14/1451921/newcastle_stadium-600x400.jpg)
10. Gold Coast: Redeveloped Carrara Stadium, 45,000, oval.
(http://images.smh.com.au/2010/05/14/1451919/gold_coast-600x400.jpg)
11. Brisbane: Suncorp Stadium (Lang Park), 50,000, rectangular
(http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2009/11/12/853956/Black-Hawk-%284%29-600x400.jpg)
12. Townsville: Redeveloped Diary Farmers Stadium, 45,000, rectangular
(http://images.smh.com.au/2010/05/14/1451927/townsville_stadium-600x400.jpg)
good for Melbourne Victory and Australian domestic football long term
Swan Street Stadium in Richmond is world class :cheers
if it is true MElbourne will lose WC games and/or the final to NSW due to Andrew someone should put a bullet in his head :-\
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if it is true MElbourne will lose WC games and/or the final to NSW due to Andrew someone should put a bullet in his head :-\
Just sour grapes from Aussie Rules-haters getting ready to play the blame game if the bid fails. That was a ridiculous and gutless article in any case with the journo using an "unnamed source" to claim unnamed "outrageous demands" by the AFL. Oh please! ::)
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Here's the final official list of 12 stadia including pics: (I've updated MT's post above)
Stadium Australia ............... 83k ....... Minor Upgrade
Sydney Football Stadium...... 41k ....... Minor Upgrade
Blacktown Stadium ............. 41k ....... New Stadium
MCG .................................. 88k ....... Existing Stadium
Brisbane Stadium ............... 50k ....... Existing Stadium
Perth Stadium .................... 60k ....... New Stadium
Adelaide Oval ..................... 48k ....... Major Upgrade
Gold Coast Stadium ............ 40k ....... Major Upgrade
Newcastle Stadium ............. 42k ....... Major Upgrade
Canberra Stadium .............. 40k ........ New Stadium
Geelong Stadium ............... 44k ........ Major Upgrade
Townsville Stadium ............ 40k ........ Major Upgrade
http://www.australia2018-2022.com.au/australias-bid_stadiums.aspx
The AFL should end up with 8 upgraded/new stadia although most of these will be built irrespective of the WC bid being successful or now:
New Subiaco Oval
New Adelaide Oval
MCG
Upgraded Kardinia Park
Upgraded Carrara Stadium
ANZ Stadium
New Sydney Showground (GWS's home ground in Homebush next to ANZ Stadium)
Upgraded Manuka Oval or Bruce stadium reconfigured into an oval.
The stadium on the Gold Coast isn't Carrara it is Skilled Park that they built for the Titans and ALeague.
Carrara is a differnet venue
good for Melbourne Victory and Australian domestic football long term
Swan Street Stadium in Richmond is world class :cheers
Yeah the Bubble stadium is great but if we get the World Cup it wont be used because it doesn't meet FIFA's minimum capicity requirment of 40K
Still very concerned about the amount of $$$ we are spending on this whole bid process. FFA should be paying not the taxpayers (Fed govt)
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The stadium on the Gold Coast isn't Carrara it is Skilled Park that they built for the Titans and ALeague.
Carrara is a differnet venue
They will be using Carrara if we win the bid WP ;). Skilled Park at Robina couldn't be expanded to the required 40k minimum demanded by FIFA so they'll need to upgrade Carrara instead. And don't the AFL-haters from other codes up and arms about it :lol.
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They will be using Carrara if we win the bid WP ;). Skilled Park at Robina couldn't be expanded to the required 40k minimum demanded by FIFA so they'll need to upgrade Carrara instead. And don't the AFL-haters from other codes up and arms about it :lol.
Geniunely surprised by that as Skilled Park holds about 30-35k - why wouldn't you upgrade that? But you are saying they can't :-\
Stupid situation
The real question is will win a bid I suppose?
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They will be using Carrara if we win the bid WP ;). Skilled Park at Robina couldn't be expanded to the required 40k minimum demanded by FIFA so they'll need to upgrade Carrara instead. And don't the AFL-haters from other codes up and arms about it :lol.
Geniunely surprised by that as Skilled Park holds about 30-35k - why wouldn't you upgrade that? But you are saying they can't :-\
Stupid situation
The real question is will win a bid I suppose?
Odds are against our bid if the FFA and its mouthpieces are already blaming the AFL even before the FIFA delegates arrive to look the facilities in our bid. But as with the IOC you never know with FIFA. The politics are dirty and delegates can vote for whoever woos them the most with cash and pressies :whistle.
Robina stadium has a capacity of 27,400 according to wikipedia. I've never been there but I was told it couldn't be expanded. Is it crowded in by what surrounds it - streets, properties, etc?
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They will be using Carrara if we win the bid WP ;). Skilled Park at Robina couldn't be expanded to the required 40k minimum demanded by FIFA so they'll need to upgrade Carrara instead. And don't the AFL-haters from other codes up and arms about it :lol.
Geniunely surprised by that as Skilled Park holds about 30-35k - why wouldn't you upgrade that? But you are saying they can't :-\
Stupid situation
The real question is will win a bid I suppose?
Odds are against our bid if the FFA and its mouthpieces are already blaming the AFL even before the FIFA delegates arrive to look the facilities in our bid. But as with the IOC you never know with FIFA. The politics are dirty and delegates can vote for whoever woos them the most with cash and pressies :whistle.
Robina stadium has a capacity of 27,400 according to wikipedia. I've never been there but I was told it couldn't be expanded. Is it crowded in by what surrounds it - streets, properties, etc?
Quite the contrary MT, there is a river on one end, train station on one side, but no reason the other two sides could not be expanded.
It could be that given there is a (man-made?) river in the area it is geologically unstable and would 'sink' so to speak if it were made significantly larger? Also, I think it could be structurally an expensive task, given the stadium was designed as a 'boutique' stadium which is symmetric, would require a lot of re-architecting of the design
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Just on first viewing it would seem that Melbourne is getting a raw deal -
MCG and Skilled down the road which is effectively the same as Brisbane.
I agree with WP. They should have had a little more foresight here and planned for the possibility of a WC bid and made the Gold Coast and Melbourne rectangular stadiums reconfigurable to > 40k.
I happen to think that the 3 or 4 oval grounds detracts from our bid greatly and might even be the decisive factor (compared to the US, who are a bigger market, more agreeable timezone, have > 100 rectangular stadia > 50k, more corporate backing, even if they did host it very recently). Particularly as the MCG will host a final/3rd 4th playoff or semi at least.
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Australia has pulled out of the 2018 bid process which is not unexpected as the 2018 World Cup was always going to Europe. So the Australian bid focus is now solely on 2022.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/australia-drops-out-of-race-to-host-2018-world-cup/story-e6frf9if-1225878245682
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Australia has pulled out of the 2018 bid process which is not unexpected as the 2018 World Cup was always going to Europe. So the Australian bid focus is now solely on 2022.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/australia-drops-out-of-race-to-host-2018-world-cup/story-e6frf9if-1225878245682
good move. from the news it seems like FIFA is happy about it and some of the european delegates
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Nothing new out of us pulling out of 2018 as we weren't a chance for that year anyway except if we've secured a few European votes for 2022 for doing so. If we have then we'll be a good chance to host 2022.
Quite the contrary MT, there is a river on one end, train station on one side, but no reason the other two sides could not be expanded.
It could be that given there is a (man-made?) river in the area it is geologically unstable and would 'sink' so to speak if it were made significantly larger? Also, I think it could be structurally an expensive task, given the stadium was designed as a 'boutique' stadium which is symmetric, would require a lot of re-architecting of the design
Ta Jake. That must be the reason. All I know is they said Robina couldn't be expanded.
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For our countries enconomy claiming the world cup is indesputably a huge benefit. For the AFL, despite the improvements to the grounds, obtaining the biggest showcase of the round ball game would be increbibly dangerous. The buildup, interest from the general Australian public and children in paricular, the damage to media rights, reduction in attendances and participation etc could be disasterous for the code. The way the AFL played out the stadium issue was clever and may yet sway FIFA away from our country.
I would like to see the event held here but with interest from a much bigger market in America, who has similar strong native sports which are so far holding back the growth of soccer, coupled with the problems already faced, I would not be surprized if we miss out. In saying this though, their must be a reason why we have chosen to bid now... :-\
Stripes
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For our countries enconomy claiming the world cup is indesputably a huge benefit. For the AFL, despite the improvements to the grounds, obtaining the biggest showcase of the round ball game would be increbibly dangerous. The buildup, interest from the general Australian public and children in paricular, the damage to media rights, reduction in attendances and participation etc could be disasterous for the code. The way the AFL played out the stadium issue was clever and may yet sway FIFA away from our country.
I would like to see the event held here but with interest from a much bigger market in America, who has similar strong native sports which are so far holding back the growth of soccer, coupled with the problems already faced, I would not be surprized if we miss out. In saying this though, their must be a reason why we have chosen to bid now... :-\
Stripes
Lowy wants it here before he conks off is one reason. I also think the FFA saw it as an opportunity to get a whole bunch of Soccer boutique stadia for free via the World Cup bid and if the other codes complained the Federal Government and FIFA would force the other codes to back down. It didn't work as the we're using mostly existing AFL/NRL stadia in the bid as was always going to be the case.
I don't see the World Cup bid as a threat to Aussie Rules. Sure Soccer will get a surge around 2022 but as happened in the USA 10-15 years on from hosting the World Cup the dominant football code before the Cup will still be the dominant football code afterwards. In fact the NFL is bigger and more popular than ever over there. The same will happen with Aussie Rules. I mean we all got behind the Sydney Olympics as a once in a lifetime event packing the arenas for all sports and watching it in record numbers on tv but we all didn't rush out and become 100m sprinters or 1500m swimmers.
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For our countries enconomy claiming the world cup is indesputably a huge benefit. For the AFL, despite the improvements to the grounds, obtaining the biggest showcase of the round ball game would be increbibly dangerous. The buildup, interest from the general Australian public and children in paricular, the damage to media rights, reduction in attendances and participation etc could be disasterous for the code. The way the AFL played out the stadium issue was clever and may yet sway FIFA away from our country.
I would like to see the event held here but with interest from a much bigger market in America, who has similar strong native sports which are so far holding back the growth of soccer, coupled with the problems already faced, I would not be surprized if we miss out. In saying this though, their must be a reason why we have chosen to bid now... :-\
Stripes
Lowy wants it here before he conks off is one reason. I also think the FFA saw it as an opportunity to get a whole bunch of Soccer boutique stadia for free via the World Cup bid and if the other codes complained the Federal Government and FIFA would force the other codes to back down. It didn't work as the we're using mostly existing AFL/NRL stadia in the bid as was always going to be the case.
I don't see the World Cup bid as a threat to Aussie Rules. Sure Soccer will get a surge around 2022 but as happened in the USA 10-15 years on from hosting the World Cup the dominant football code before the Cup will still be the dominant football code afterwards. In fact the NFL is bigger and more popular than ever over there. The same will happen with Aussie Rules. I mean we all got behind the Sydney Olympics as a once in a lifetime event packing the arenas for all sports and watching it in record numbers on tv but we all didn't rush out and become 100m sprinters or 1500m swimmers.
association football is not swimming.
the above is a very poor argument.
Nathan Tinkler pumping his 100s millions into newcastle jets makes the game stronger also.
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For our countries enconomy claiming the world cup is indesputably a huge benefit. For the AFL, despite the improvements to the grounds, obtaining the biggest showcase of the round ball game would be increbibly dangerous. The buildup, interest from the general Australian public and children in paricular, the damage to media rights, reduction in attendances and participation etc could be disasterous for the code. The way the AFL played out the stadium issue was clever and may yet sway FIFA away from our country.
I would like to see the event held here but with interest from a much bigger market in America, who has similar strong native sports which are so far holding back the growth of soccer, coupled with the problems already faced, I would not be surprized if we miss out. In saying this though, their must be a reason why we have chosen to bid now... :-\
Stripes
Lowy wants it here before he conks off is one reason. I also think the FFA saw it as an opportunity to get a whole bunch of Soccer boutique stadia for free via the World Cup bid and if the other codes complained the Federal Government and FIFA would force the other codes to back down. It didn't work as the we're using mostly existing AFL/NRL stadia in the bid as was always going to be the case.
I don't see the World Cup bid as a threat to Aussie Rules. Sure Soccer will get a surge around 2022 but as happened in the USA 10-15 years on from hosting the World Cup the dominant football code before the Cup will still be the dominant football code afterwards. In fact the NFL is bigger and more popular than ever over there. The same will happen with Aussie Rules. I mean we all got behind the Sydney Olympics as a once in a lifetime event packing the arenas for all sports and watching it in record numbers on tv but we all didn't rush out and become 100m sprinters or 1500m swimmers.
association football is not swimming.
the above is a very poor argument.
Nathan Tinkler pumping his 100s millions into newcastle jets makes the game stronger also.
Tinkler put his money in to save Newcastle from becoming extinct; not to make the game stronger. The problem with private ownership in Australia is it is flimsy. In the past private ownership has failed in every football code. No real surprise when the types to get into owning sporting clubs in Oz are the idiotic Clive Palmer's of this world who see a sporting club as their private plaything rather than truly caring about the club and its supporters best and lomg-term interests. Clubs of all codes need a strong membership-based structure to prosper. There needs to be a connection between fans and club. It's the reason the Victory is the most successful Soccer club both on and off-field. Expanding into too many provincial areas with small support way too fast and relying on a mad billionaire or a consortium of wealthy individuals was a dumb mistake by the FFA. The old NSL should have reminded them that prissy little clubs drag the whole league down. Time to tell Clive and CGU to get lost.
True Soccer isn't swimming Bents but it's not Aussie Rules or Rugby League with 100+ years of embedded domestic club culture and mass media coverage either. I have always felt Soccer would be better off following Cricket or Rugby Union rather than trying to copy the AFL and NRL models. The former sports have hugely popular national teams (it's their main bread and butter as well), they pump resources into junior participation and development, and they have relative newish domestic comps (T20 and Super 15) that are structured in a way to attract crowds, sponsors and even free-to-air tv deals. Soccer has to forget about trying to become like the AFL and NRL, who both have an established 100+ year culture that pervades through society, and instead find its niche at the domestic level to live within its means and thrive. If that means going back to 8 "state-based" clubs playing between Oct-Feb and limiting marque player's salaries based on each club's capacity to pay then so be it.
Anyway the choice for the host of 2022 WC is practically down to two (Australian vs USA) given the FIFA delegates were critical of the logistics of the Qatar bid (no surprise). The FFA need to not put all their eggs in the one 'WC bid success' basket otherwise if we don't get it they'll be making the same mistake Soccer Australia did with the failed 1997 WC qualification :-\.
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Not sure how this improves Australia's chances of hosting 2022. England was never really interested in 2022 as 2018 has been designated to a European nation. This sounds more like England and the US have done a deal to support each other's bid :-\
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/england-to-withdraw-2022-world-cup-bid/story-e6frf9if-1225931351657
AUSTRALIA'S chances of securing the 2022 soccer World Cup have improved dramatically with England announcing it will "almost certainly" withdraw from the race to focus on its 2018 bid.
That decision is dependent on the United States withdrawing its bid for the 2018 Cup.
An English withdrawal would leave Australia competing with the US, Russia, Spain-Portugal, Belgium-Netherlands, Japan, Qatar and South Korea for the 2022 tournament.
David Dein, international president of England's bid, said it was "almost certain" that England would put all their energies into a bid for the earlier tournament.
"It won't be long before the United States will withdraw from 2018 leaving themselves a run on 2022," he said.
"Consequently we will almost certainly withdraw from 2022."
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It doesn't make it right but I'm surprised people are shocked that FIFA, like the IOC with the Olympics, are corrupt as buggery when it comes to deciding the next host of the World Cup. The deciding delegates have not only their snouts in the trough but also their hooves as well. The only difference this time around is the bribery and blank chequebook auction has got out into the public domain. As the old saying goes you can only believe the delegates who have said they aren't voting for you.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/8084268/World-Cup-2018-new-claims-add-weight-to-Fifa-vote-fixing-scandal.html
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/former-fifa-boss-sets-bribe-targets/story-fn63e0vj-1225942959560
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Three more of the FIFA delegates who will decide who host the World Cup in 2022 have been accused off corruption and kick-backs
http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/140/world-cup-2010/2010/11/30/2237803/bbc-panorama-accuses-three-fifa-executive-committee-members
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Australia does not deserve the World Cup.
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Australia does not deserve the World Cup.
More importantly we dont need it
We are not a money pit :rollin
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Australia does not deserve the World Cup.
and your reasoning behind that statement is what exactly?
we have played a fair bid for the World Cup unlike some other countries.
I bet the people that dont want the World Cup here dont like the sport at all and thats pathetic. A bit like the fools who complained about Tiger getting paid 3million to come play here when it made our state what was it close to 30mil.
I hope we get the World Cup not because i love Soccer that much but i think it would be great for our country and our economy
It will also get more juniors playing the sport instead of in the streets.
We do deserve the world cup and i hope we get it. What will make me laugh is the idiots who will jump on the bandwagon if we do make it.
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Decision time is 2am tomorrow morning.
Here's the 30 minute presentation Australia made overnight complete with a CGI kangaroo stealing the World Cup trophy from FIFA HQ (last 10 mins)
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/bidders/live/newsid=1343803/index.html (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/bidders/live/newsid=1343803/index.html)
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A high risk for high return presentation. It was so different to the other 4 bids that the 22 FIFA delegates will love it or hate it. Lowy spoke very well. The Kangaroo bit was cliched and cheesy but overseas people seem to like that stuff when it comes to Oz. However the most cringeworthy bit was Elle sucking up to Lowy. It came across at it was all Lowy's dream rather than Australia's.
Very nervous about Qatar :-\.
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A high risk for high return presentation. It was so different to the other 4 bids that the 22 FIFA delegates will love it or hate it. Lowy spoke very well. The Kangaroo bit was cliched and cheesy but overseas people seem to like that stuff when it comes to Oz. However the most cringeworthy bit was Elle sucking up to Lowy. It came across at it was all Lowy's dream rather than Australia's.
Very nervous about Qatar :-\.
i really thought they could've thrown in that John Alouisi goal at the G or Fed Square erupting. Something anything.
Its not a question if we wont do a good job or we dont have a sound economy its about what the others have put on the table.
I got this to say if it werent for Loewy and Rudd we would not be in this position. Could you imagine Howard kick starting this campaign.
Not a chance!!
If we dont get it then i hope Qatar do so they can sit there and sweat their arses off and wish they had chosen us.
It will be another boring uninspiring World Cup after the South Africa debacle.
Good luck Blatter and co with that 45 degree heat. I have been to Dubai and that was heat like you have never experienced before.
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A high risk for high return presentation. It was so different to the other 4 bids that the 22 FIFA delegates will love it or hate it. Lowy spoke very well. The Kangaroo bit was cliched and cheesy but overseas people seem to like that stuff when it comes to Oz. However the most cringeworthy bit was Elle sucking up to Lowy. It came across at it was all Lowy's dream rather than Australia's.
Very nervous about Qatar :-\.
i really thought they could've thrown in that John Alouisi goal at the G or Fed Square erupting. Something anything.
Its not a question if we wont do a good job or we dont have a sound economy its about what the others have put on the table.
I got this to say if it werent for Loewy and Rudd we would not be in this position. Could you imagine Howard kick starting this campaign.
Not a chance!!
If we dont get it then i hope Qatar do so they can sit there and sweat their behinds off and wish they had chosen us.
It will be another boring uninspiring World Cup after the South Africa debacle.
Good luck Blatter and co with that 45 degree heat. I have been to Dubai and that was heat like you have never experienced before.
They had footage in the video of Goddard's mark in the GF. A rare reference to Aussie Rules. Even the list of stadia in the evaluation report doesn't mention our indigenous code nor Rugby League. For example Kardinia Park under the title 'current use' it states "no information". And Soccer zealots like Craig Foster accuse the AFL of being scared :wallywink. It's all so childish.
If Qatar gets it then FIFA will announce to the world it is officially corrupt (although perhaps like the IOC they don't care). You can see high profile players in the big leagues in Europe boycotting a Qatar WC or feigning injury.
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Lowys a hypocrite. Claiming all that stuff about Migrants etc. Did the mongrel tell them how he and his mates have tried to destroy all the migrant clubs who contributed to Australian soccer for 50 years in Australia. Hope it all goes down the tubes for him tonight. He doesnt deserve it. He doesnt deserve this place in history. He can get stuffed for all I care! For me a Qatari or USA win is a win for the true believers.
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I take it you have the champagne on ice Ramps :lol.
My tip is:
2018: Russia
2022: Australia
If we lose out to the USA then so be it. However if Spain and Qatar get up then what 'Old Soccer' thinks in Oz will be the least of FIFA's worries. FIFA will be classed up there with the ICC - corruptable to the highest $$$ bidder.
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showtime.
Announcement coming in minutes
my tips.
England( an England win is our best result means FIFA wont be all that concerned about making the most money in 2022)
Qatar
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Lowys a hypocrite. Claiming all that stuff about Migrants etc. Did the mongrel tell them how he and his mates have tried to destroy all the migrant clubs who contributed to Australian soccer for 50 years in Australia. Hope it all goes down the tubes for him tonight. He doesnt deserve it. He doesnt deserve this place in history. He can get stuffed for all I care! For me a Qatari or USA win is a win for the true believers.
you are kidding right. if we had all those migrant clubs around we would still have croats beating up greeks, flares thrown at each other etc etc
the best thing about Soccer in this country is there are no migrant clubs. eff that dont need it.
Im from a european background and i couldnt stand watching those greeks, italians, croats jump up and down and yell abuse at each other.
It actually makes me sick. If you love your parents country so much well eff off and go back there and live.
Lowys a champion. I like a guy with passion.
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Winners
2018: Russia
2022: Qatar
the winner is money
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Daniel, sorry for yr loss mate, but it was never going to happen. of course money wins. And dont think that we lost just because the system is corrupt....we arent alone in that either.
What i would like to see is all these passionate supporters get behind the local A-League. Crowds of only a few thousand are a disgrace at the local game. A lot of bandwagon supporters got a reality check last night, howabouts they go to the soccer tonight for a change.
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Well I was half right lol. The only positive from not getting it was seeing the sour look on Craig Foster's face. Clowns like him are Soccer'sown worst enemy. Given Qatar won it rules us out of bidding for 2026 and with the centenary in 2030 and Europe bidding again in 2034 it could be 2038 at the earliest before we try again. If China bids by then then push our next chance out to 2050+.
Good luck FIFA holding a WC in a country where it's 50 degree heat in June/July :help.
(http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/6778/moneytalks.jpg)
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No great surprise really
Money talks and FIFA only cares about money
They put the AFL to shame went it comes to taking the $$$$ ;D
Actually any organisation that tries to dictate what other sports can & cannot take place while the World Cup is on shows how stupid they are. I've always wondered why if they believe their game is the biggest & strongest in the world why do they enforce that everything must stop - are they that threatened by local little sports ;D
Time to move on :rollin
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Dont particularly like the game, but a patriotic Aussie all the way wanted to get it.
But with no great real care factor was a realist and told my work colleagues yesterday we wern't a chance.
So I can say this without bias, What a farce of an organisation! Joke of a game! run by jokers and supported in the majority by lunatics!
I wont be watching :sleep
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Lowy's supposed clout has taken a massive hit with us getting only one vote and being knocked out in the first round of voting. I must admit I've never seen him as a big shot and a mover and shaker despite his Westfield empire. Especially when he is compared to a Packer, Murdoch, etc. It must be a Sydney thing.
I wonder who voted for us. Beckenbauer publicly supported the Aussie bid throughout the process.
Round 1: Australia 1 vote, Japan 3 votes, US 3 votes, South Korea 4 votes and Qatar 11 votes.
Round 2: Japan 2 votes, South Korea 5 votes, US 5 votes and Qatar 10 votes.
Round 3 South Korea 5 votes, US 6 votes and Qatar 11 votes.
Round 4 US 8 votes and Qatar 14 votes (Qatar obtain absolute majority)
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Don't beat yourselves up about it. Get involved in the local game and help it grow. World Cups will still be there.
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New Football LOL
1 VOTE and 1st eliminated LOL
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The most disappointing thing to me is that the stadium upgrades around the country would have have been a boon for the respective codes.
Is the result a reflection of where FIFA see soccer in Australia at?
Lowys a hypocrite. Claiming all that stuff about Migrants etc. Did the mongrel tell them how he and his mates have tried to destroy all the migrant clubs who contributed to Australian soccer for 50 years in Australia. Hope it all goes down the tubes for him tonight. He doesnt deserve it. He doesnt deserve this place in history. He can get stuffed for all I care! For me a Qatari or USA win is a win for the true believers.
you are kidding right. if we had all those migrant clubs around we would still have croats beating up greeks, flares thrown at each other etc etc
the best thing about Soccer in this country is there are no migrant clubs. eff that dont need it.
Im from a european background and i couldnt stand watching those greeks, italians, croats jump up and down and yell abuse at each other.
It actually makes me sick. If you love your parents country so much well eff off and go back there and live.
Lowys a champion. I like a guy with passion.
Yeah, I miss seeing the conflict between ethnic groups like we used to at the soccer. :nope
I played soccer as kid before I played aussie rules. It was my first introduction to racial prejudices. (I must say it was also my first introduction to someone trying to quell such views too.)
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The most disappointing thing to me is that the stadium upgrades around the country would have have been a boon for the respective codes.
Is the result a reflection of where FIFA see soccer in Australia at?
Lowys a hypocrite. Claiming all that stuff about Migrants etc. Did the mongrel tell them how he and his mates have tried to destroy all the migrant clubs who contributed to Australian soccer for 50 years in Australia. Hope it all goes down the tubes for him tonight. He doesnt deserve it. He doesnt deserve this place in history. He can get stuffed for all I care! For me a Qatari or USA win is a win for the true believers.
you are kidding right. if we had all those migrant clubs around we would still have croats beating up greeks, flares thrown at each other etc etc
the best thing about Soccer in this country is there are no migrant clubs. eff that dont need it.
Im from a european background and i couldnt stand watching those greeks, italians, croats jump up and down and yell abuse at each other.
It actually makes me sick. If you love your parents country so much well eff off and go back there and live.
Lowys a champion. I like a guy with passion.
Yeah, I miss seeing the conflict between ethnic groups like we used to at the soccer. :nope
I played soccer as kid before I played aussie rules. It was my first introduction to racial prejudices. (I must say it was also my first introduction to someone trying to quell such views too.)
i dont think its a reflection of what Fifa think about Soccer in this country as Qatar dont exactly set the world on fire with the sport and they have never made the world cup.
dont kid yourself it was all about Money. I dont particulary the sport outside of Euro and World Cup having never been to a local game in Melbourne. Winning this bid would've been huge for Melbourne thats all i cared about. The Game is corrupt as all stuff and like that rubbish EPL its about who has the most money that determines who wins in the end.
This was no different.
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The old national league was great but the violence wrecked it in the end. Even when the Victory played Hellas in a preseason game a few years ago, the home crowd couldnt control themselves.
young blokes who cant handle the pee and think their culture is better than others can eff off
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The most disappointing thing to me is that the stadium upgrades around the country would have have been a boon for the respective codes.
Is the result a reflection of where FIFA see soccer in Australia at?
Lowys a hypocrite. Claiming all that stuff about Migrants etc. Did the mongrel tell them how he and his mates have tried to destroy all the migrant clubs who contributed to Australian soccer for 50 years in Australia. Hope it all goes down the tubes for him tonight. He doesnt deserve it. He doesnt deserve this place in history. He can get stuffed for all I care! For me a Qatari or USA win is a win for the true believers.
you are kidding right. if we had all those migrant clubs around we would still have croats beating up greeks, flares thrown at each other etc etc
the best thing about Soccer in this country is there are no migrant clubs. eff that dont need it.
Im from a european background and i couldnt stand watching those greeks, italians, croats jump up and down and yell abuse at each other.
It actually makes me sick. If you love your parents country so much well eff off and go back there and live.
Lowys a champion. I like a guy with passion.
Yeah, I miss seeing the conflict between ethnic groups like we used to at the soccer. :nope
I played soccer as kid before I played aussie rules. It was my first introduction to racial prejudices. (I must say it was also my first introduction to someone trying to quell such views too.)
i dont think its a reflection of what Fifa think about Soccer in this country as Qatar dont exactly set the world on fire with the sport and they have never made the world cup.
dont kid yourself it was all about Money. I dont particulary the sport outside of Euro and World Cup having never been to a local game in Melbourne. Winning this bid would've been huge for Melbourne thats all i cared about. The Game is corrupt as all eff and like that rubbish EPL its about who has the most money that determines who wins in the end.
This was no different.
if u love the game u should get into the local product. sure it isnt as good as the other leagues around the world, but i cant understand those who are crying out for the world cup who dont support the local game. isnt that what its all about??
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Daniel, sorry for yr loss mate, but it was never going to happen. of course money wins. And dont think that we lost just because the system is corrupt....we arent alone in that either.
What i would like to see is all these passionate supporters get behind the local A-League. Crowds of only a few thousand are a disgrace at the local game. A lot of bandwagon supporters got a reality check last night, howabouts they go to the soccer tonight for a change.
yeah well money wins in the end.
now about the local game sorry i am one of those bandwagon supporters and this is further proof why i am one.
The sport is a joke and is corrupt as all stuff.
I am dissapointed but the same would've been if it was the olympics we lost. I love any sport in this country thats all i cared about.
Lets be real here Soccer is run by a bunch of crooks which is why the same old clubs win time and time again.
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So if its corrupt at a local level the aust FA is corrupt; therefore our bid was corrupt?
The A-league is only young so i dont think u can argue the same teams win all the time.
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The most disappointing thing to me is that the stadium upgrades around the country would have have been a boon for the respective codes.
Is the result a reflection of where FIFA see soccer in Australia at?
Lowys a hypocrite. Claiming all that stuff about Migrants etc. Did the mongrel tell them how he and his mates have tried to destroy all the migrant clubs who contributed to Australian soccer for 50 years in Australia. Hope it all goes down the tubes for him tonight. He doesnt deserve it. He doesnt deserve this place in history. He can get stuffed for all I care! For me a Qatari or USA win is a win for the true believers.
you are kidding right. if we had all those migrant clubs around we would still have croats beating up greeks, flares thrown at each other etc etc
the best thing about Soccer in this country is there are no migrant clubs. eff that dont need it.
Im from a european background and i couldnt stand watching those greeks, italians, croats jump up and down and yell abuse at each other.
It actually makes me sick. If you love your parents country so much well eff off and go back there and live.
Lowys a champion. I like a guy with passion.
Yeah, I miss seeing the conflict between ethnic groups like we used to at the soccer. :nope
I played soccer as kid before I played aussie rules. It was my first introduction to racial prejudices. (I must say it was also my first introduction to someone trying to quell such views too.)
i dont think its a reflection of what Fifa think about Soccer in this country as Qatar dont exactly set the world on fire with the sport and they have never made the world cup.
dont kid yourself it was all about Money. I dont particulary the sport outside of Euro and World Cup having never been to a local game in Melbourne. Winning this bid would've been huge for Melbourne thats all i cared about. The Game is corrupt as all eff and like that rubbish EPL its about who has the most money that determines who wins in the end.
This was no different.
if u love the game u should get into the local product. sure it isnt as good as the other leagues around the world, but i cant understand those who are crying out for the world cup who dont support the local game. isnt that what its all about??
if you want me to be honest i cant stand those patriotic stuffwits who cause trouble with their flags drapped around them. It has put me off the local game.
The same losers have tried to ruin the Australian Tennis open. They can go get stuffed.
I understand if you love your background and all that but those fools who deliberately go out to cause trouble cause they are Italian or Greek or anything puts me off the local game
Id rather watch paint dry than go to a local game, but hey thats my opinion.
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i think we have common ground. i cant stand the flag draping, moronic bogans either.
But the A-League isn't like that.
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Why is it as Australians we jump for joy when we win a bid to host a major sporting event and if we fail we blame corruption and how we were cheated and hard done by. Time for us to wake up!! :banghead
Qatar's bid was outstanding and essentially left ours for dead. Good luck to them. I think they will be excellent hosts. I think the biggest turn up was the UK missing out over Russia.
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LOL@ Bent over Beckham.
And btw I dont agree Tiga - smaks of $$$$$$$$ - Anyway moving right along ..... would prefer footy not to be interrupted to be honest :gotigers
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And puhleeze dont bid again, we will never get it! Better spending the money on something we have a chance at or hospitals, education ......
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And puhleeze dont bid again, we will never get it! Better spending the money on something we have a chance at or hospitals, education ......
agree! Bread not circuses.
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Qatar are going to dismantle their stadiums after the world cup and give them to countries in need, maybe they can leave one up for the other type of Kangaroo and they can go play over there, if you get what I mean. ;D
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expect massive terroist threats and attacks in 2022 .... FIFA has to be the most corrupt system in sport .... p.s our stuffing primeinsiter was in bed when it happend as well ...... every one who voted her in deserves to be shot ... atleats Rudd gave a poo
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The most disappointing thing to me is that the stadium upgrades around the country would have have been a boon for the respective codes.
Is the result a reflection of where FIFA see soccer in Australia at?
There was rumours during the last week that Qatar believed it had plenty of votes to survive the early rounds that some of its supporters amongst the FIFA delegates would be asked to support Japan and Korea in the hope of knocking out the USA bid in the first round. In the end the strategy worked but it was Australia that was knocked out. England also got knocked out early with just 2 votes. You'd now expect the British press such as Panaroma to go full throttle to expose FIFA's corruption.
As for the stadium redevelopments - most of the Aussie Rules was independent of the bid so they will happen:
Perth will eventually get a new 60-70k stadium as Subiaco is ageing badly and too small with Eagles and Freo both look like having waiting lists.
Adelaide Oval is already happening after the SANFL and SACA ended their schism.
The Great Southern Stand at the 'G will get its facelift as reported mid-year
Carrara is currently being built to 25k which is big enough for the Suns and there's still a chance if we win the 2018 Commonwealth Games bid it could still be expanded to 45k.
The loss of the bid hurts more the northern states which means Soccer and NRL miss out. No new Canberra stadium, no new Townsville stadium, no new Newcastle stadium. Not to forget all the training facilties around the country. Also no new Blacktown stadium. The AFL originally wanted a multi-purpose venue at Blacktown for GWS to use alongside NRL and A-league but the FFA cracked the sads over Etihad being out of the bid and made the proposed Blacktown stadium rectangular-only hence Demetriou targetting the Sydney Showgrounds at Homebush for GWS. Now the bid has failed the AFL still gets its 25k stadium while Soccer misses out through their own stupidity and chip on the shoulder. If they had agreed on a multi-purpose venue it would've still be built even if it was on a smaller more economical scale (25k). Demetriou is a arrogant so-and-so but he's a smart arrogant so-and-so. He always seems to have a plan B ready to go if plan A fails. He's now outsmarted Lowy and the FFA on their own turf.
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The old national league was great but the violence wrecked it in the end. Even when the Victory played Hellas in a preseason game a few years ago, the home crowd couldnt control themselves.
young blokes who cant handle the pee and think their culture is better than others can eff off
There was 1 act of violence - A Victory supporter chucked a lit flare that hit a South Melbourne player which knocked him to the ground and nearly burned him. The act of a dumb idiot Victory hooligan!
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The old national league was great but the violence wrecked it in the end. Even when the Victory played Hellas in a preseason game a few years ago, the home crowd couldnt control themselves.
young blokes who cant handle the pee and think their culture is better than others can eff off
100% correct. They have ruined it for everyone with their patriotic crap.
Lets punch up the Croats cause they looked at us funny. :banghead :banghead
It made me laugh when those Italians here were so happy to defeat Australia in that second round 4 years ago.
These are the type of fools who think their culture is better than ours. Seriously stuff off back to your home land. My old was born in Italy but came here at age 18 and he is 100% Australian. He owes Italy nothing he says but Australia everything.
As for Hallas/Marconi and whoever else
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The old national league was great but the violence wrecked it in the end. Even when the Victory played Hellas in a preseason game a few years ago, the home crowd couldnt control themselves.
young blokes who cant handle the pee and think their culture is better than others can eff off
There was 1 act of violence - A Victory supporter chucked a lit flare that hit a South Melbourne player which knocked him to the ground and nearly burned him. The act of a dumb idiot Victory hooligan!
is this you Ramps? The south melbourne connection gives it away
whats with the name change pal?
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Why is it as Australians we jump for joy when we win a bid to host a major sporting event and if we fail we blame corruption and how we were cheated and hard done by. Time for us to wake up!! :banghead
Qatar's bid was outstanding and essentially left ours for dead. Good luck to them. I think they will be excellent hosts. I think the biggest turn up was the UK missing out over Russia.
The outcry tiga would've been non-existent had one of the other bids won. People just find it suss that the bid with the worst technical report (high-risk) and which didn't satisfy the usual FIFA criteria of 2-3 stadia max. per city won it. No to forget the allegations of vote swapping which was also against FIFA's guidelines. There's also rumours of the whole tournament being shifted to January which would be unprecendented although it's hard to see even FIFA agreeing to this as the European leagues would have to go on hiatus for a month midseason. I agree with you in one aspect. If Qatar miraculously pull this off with all the air-conditioned and underground technology promised then Doha will look like a fantasy city and would be worth seeing just because it would look out of this world.
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.... p.s our effing primeinsiter was in bed when it happend as well ...... every one who voted her in deserves to be shot ... atleats Rudd gave a poo
You can't be serious? Like her being there was going to make a difference :banghead Was Obama there for the USA? er.. NOPE don't think Putin was there for Russsia...
Wouldn't have made one iota of difference
Give me a break
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She probably knew the result beforehand. It seems everyone else did via twitter.
The English media are claiming only two of the 22 delegates actually read the technical reports of each bid. I guess all they needed to read was the amount that appeared in their Swiss bank accounts lol.
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Australians have lost the plot. How about congratulating the winners instead of making excuse after excuse for Australia's rubbish campaign led by a rubbish administration.
Every other bid focussed on football. Australias bid focussed on Elle, Hoges, The GG, A cartoon Kangaroo. Every other bid provided football with a legacy, the FFA wanted to stick rectangle pitches onto ovals used by and for AFL footy leaving any legacy to another code. Every other bid showed where football had been, where it was now and where football would go in the future, Our bid made no mention of football before 2005 and gave the impression that we are a bunch of Hicks out in the sticks chasing kangaroos and playing soccer underneath Ayres Rock. Ok you guys are disappointed, and yeah Im sticking the boots in because I dont like the FFA and Lowy, but the truth is our bid STANK! Our bid was amateurish and put together by people who dont understand football. Thats it in a nutshell. And yeah, its also about money, if you wanna go to the big dance, youve gotta get out onto the dance floor and dance, the Qataris and the Americans new what was needed and they paid what they had to to give themselves the best chance. As for us, we wasted 45 million bucks. And one last point, the Australian bid wasnt and isnt as innocent as people believe, we also gifted the fifa executive gifts, including paspaley pearls worths thousands of dollars. And that guys is the truth. The FFA is run by amateurs!
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The old national league was great but the violence wrecked it in the end. Even when the Victory played Hellas in a preseason game a few years ago, the home crowd couldnt control themselves.
young blokes who cant handle the pee and think their culture is better than others can eff off
There was 1 act of violence - A Victory supporter chucked a lit flare that hit a South Melbourne player which knocked him to the ground and nearly burned him. The act of a dumb idiot Victory hooligan!
is this you Ramps? The south melbourne connection gives it away
whats with the name change pal?
needed a new tag. hopefully my next tag will be 11 Flags.
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Australians have lost the plot. How about congratulating the winners instead of making excuse after excuse for Australia's rubbish campaign led by a rubbish administration.
Every other bid focussed on football. Australias bid focussed on Elle, Hoges, The GG, A cartoon Kangaroo. Every other bid provided football with a legacy, the FFA wanted to stick rectangle pitches onto ovals used by and for AFL footy leaving any legacy to another code. Every other bid showed where football had been, where it was now and where football would go in the future, Our bid made no mention of football before 2005 and gave the impression that we are a bunch of Hicks out in the sticks chasing kangaroos and playing soccer underneath Ayres Rock. Ok you guys are disappointed, and yeah Im sticking the boots in because I dont like the FFA and Lowy, but the truth is our bid STANK! Our bid was amateurish and put together by people who dont understand football. Thats it in a nutshell. And yeah, its also about money, if you wanna go to the big dance, youve gotta get out onto the dance floor and dance, the Qataris and the Americans new what was needed and they paid what they had to to give themselves the best chance. As for us, we wasted 45 million bucks. And one last point, the Australian bid wasnt and isnt as innocent as people believe, we also gifted the fifa executive gifts, including paspaley pearls worths thousands of dollars. And that guys is the truth. The FFA is run by amateurs!
sadly it seems some of this is true as the HUN suggests today.
It actually makes the whole process look more corrupt if you ask me.
We gave pearls they gave well you do the math.
Ramps your wrong mate i dont agree. 45 Mil is enough IMO.
If we had overpaid say 100mil or more could you imagine the outcry if we still had lost.
The campaign was a joke i agree there. Jumping kangaroo and a Botoxed Paul Hogan who weeks earlier was going to get locked up for years but all of a sudden was cleared of any wrong doing. How pathetic really.
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Thats fair enough dan. My opinion is that we shouldnt have bid at all. I agree even if we spent 100 million we still would have lost. :cheers
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is this you Ramps? The south melbourne connection gives it away
whats with the name change pal?
needed a new tag. hopefully my next tag will be 11 Flags.
Lucky you don't barrack for St Kilda or Footscray. :P
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The old national league was great but the violence wrecked it in the end. Even when the Victory played Hellas in a preseason game a few years ago, the home crowd couldnt control themselves.
young blokes who cant handle the pee and think their culture is better than others can eff off
There was 1 act of violence - A Victory supporter chucked a lit flare that hit a South Melbourne player which knocked him to the ground and nearly burned him. The act of a dumb idiot Victory hooligan!
mate thats way off. the flare was thrown at the MV keeper, it hit him in the head. There were fights over on the far side all night. Brwling in the trams later on. Hellas disgraced themsleves
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The old national league was great but the violence wrecked it in the end. Even when the Victory played Hellas in a preseason game a few years ago, the home crowd couldnt control themselves.
young blokes who cant handle the pee and think their culture is better than others can eff off
There was 1 act of violence - A Victory supporter chucked a lit flare that hit a South Melbourne player which knocked him to the ground and nearly burned him. The act of a dumb idiot Victory hooligan!
mate thats way off. the flare was thrown at the MV keeper, it hit him in the head. There were fights over on the far side all night. Brwling in the trams later on. Hellas disgraced themsleves
Way off is when you come on here and talk crap! Our young player was deliberately targetted by your Victory hooligan element. They chucked the flare and hit a SOUTH MELBOURNE PLAYER who fell to the ground injured. THAT IS THE FACTS! Andrew Bourakis was our player and he was smashed on the head by a lit flare chucked by your hooligans that night. Indeed that night your hooligan element threw multiple flares because they had decided to run an agenda to make sure South didnt get the 2nd licence. Now you clowns are stuck with Hearts and theyre only getting 5000 a game and half of them are your supporters who feel sorry for them!
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Australians have lost the plot. How about congratulating the winners instead of making excuse after excuse for Australia's rubbish campaign led by a rubbish administration.
Every other bid focussed on football. Australias bid focussed on Elle, Hoges, The GG, A cartoon Kangaroo. Every other bid provided football with a legacy, the FFA wanted to stick rectangle pitches onto ovals used by and for AFL footy leaving any legacy to another code. Every other bid showed where football had been, where it was now and where football would go in the future, Our bid made no mention of football before 2005 and gave the impression that we are a bunch of Hicks out in the sticks chasing kangaroos and playing soccer underneath Ayres Rock. Ok you guys are disappointed, and yeah Im sticking the boots in because I dont like the FFA and Lowy, but the truth is our bid STANK! Our bid was amateurish and put together by people who dont understand football. Thats it in a nutshell. And yeah, its also about money, if you wanna go to the big dance, youve gotta get out onto the dance floor and dance, the Qataris and the Americans new what was needed and they paid what they had to to give themselves the best chance. As for us, we wasted 45 million bucks. And one last point, the Australian bid wasnt and isnt as innocent as people believe, we also gifted the fifa executive gifts, including paspaley pearls worths thousands of dollars. And that guys is the truth. The FFA is run by amateurs!
sadly it seems some of this is true as the HUN suggests today.
It actually makes the whole process look more corrupt if you ask me.
We gave pearls they gave well you do the math.
Ramps your wrong mate i dont agree. 45 Mil is enough IMO.
If we had overpaid say 100mil or more could you imagine the outcry if we still had lost.
The campaign was a joke i agree there. Jumping kangaroo and a Botoxed Paul Hogan who weeks earlier was going to get locked up for years but all of a sudden was cleared of any wrong doing. How pathetic really.
Australia didn't lose because of it's promotional video or because it didn't mention or respect "football" enough. Craig Foster as usual doesn't know what he is talking about. FIFA's technical report praised our bid but in the end all the technical reports and FIFA delegate visits meant sweet all. We lost because of the politics. We had no exco member, no bloc of votes and no unlimited pockets as chips to barter with and then we lost our Oceania vote. We had nothing to play FIFA's bidding game whereas Qatar stagemanaged the whole bidding and voting process.
The next time we bid, which probably won't be for another 25-30 years, Australia needs to first get the Asian confederation to support one bid and that being Australia's. That'd give us 5 starting votes to survive the first round. Also if Qatar are allowed to hold inte WC in Jan/Feb then the predecent is there for Australia to do the same so all stadia are available without disrupting and ticking off the other codes.
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The old national league was great but the violence wrecked it in the end. Even when the Victory played Hellas in a preseason game a few years ago, the home crowd couldnt control themselves.
young blokes who cant handle the pee and think their culture is better than others can eff off
There was 1 act of violence - A Victory supporter chucked a lit flare that hit a South Melbourne player which knocked him to the ground and nearly burned him. The act of a dumb idiot Victory hooligan!
mate thats way off. the flare was thrown at the MV keeper, it hit him in the head. There were fights over on the far side all night. Brwling in the trams later on. Hellas disgraced themsleves
Way off is when you come on here and talk crap! Our young player was deliberately targetted by your Victory hooligan element. They chucked the flare and hit a SOUTH MELBOURNE PLAYER who fell to the ground injured. THAT IS THE FACTS! Andrew Bourakis was our player and he was smashed on the head by a lit flare chucked by your hooligans that night. Indeed that night your hooligan element threw multiple flares because they had decided to run an agenda to make sure South didnt get the 2nd licence. Now you clowns are stuck with Hearts and theyre only getting 5000 a game and half of them are your supporters who feel sorry for them!
bourakis? lol. he admitted afterwards he was acting. at leat 12 flares were thrown.
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He was seriously injured but was told to say what he said so as to not damage the Victory PR wise. Everyone knows that. Also I was responding to your falsehood that the flares were thrown by us. No my friend, the flares were thrown by the Victory hooligans. There is visual proof of everything but as usual the New Football supporters like yourself dont like hearing the truth and thats a shame because New Football is going under as we speak.
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In re: the World Cup Bid, the only truth is that the FFA is run by Amateurs and they have disgraced a great sporting nation like Australia. 1 Vote lol. They have turned Australia into a Worldwide laughing stock. They should all resign and that includes Lowy!
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He was seriously injured but was told to say what he said so as to not damage the Victory PR wise. Everyone knows that. Also I was responding to your falsehood that the flares were thrown by us. No my friend, the flares were thrown by the Victory hooligans. There is visual proof of everything but as usual the New Football supporters like yourself dont like hearing the truth and thats a shame because New Football is going under as we speak.
LOL @ he was told to say it. he wasnt injured. he dived and he admitted it.
LOL @ new football supporters like me....what would u know mate? u dont know me at all. What cracks me up is that yr living in the past when second rate blokes ran around on third rate paddocks and after the game u smashed a few shop windows and abused the cops.
Those were the days! :rollin
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In re: the World Cup Bid, the only truth is that the FFA is run by Amateurs and they have disgraced a great sporting nation like Australia. 1 Vote lol. They have turned Australia into a Worldwide laughing stock. They should all resign and that includes Lowy!
lol...next time u run the show mate and we'll all be sweet! :rollin
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NSL players took Australia to the World Cup. New Football and the FFA got 1 vote and disgraced Australia internationally irrevocably hurting our reputation- Old soccer would never have wasted $45 million of taxpayers money that could have gone to kids hospitals or cancer wards - instead it went on lifting the egos of the FFA lol - a bunch of amateurs as was seen by the end result!
Your league is going under and everyone knows it. Oh and one last truth ... you claimed that South supporters threw the flare which hit a player and was a blatant lie. The Victory hooligans threw it anyway it doesnt matter every week theres less and less of your supporters at games.
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'My league?'
'New Football?'
what drugs are u on mate?
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NSL players took Australia to the World Cup. New Football and the FFA got 1 vote and disgraced Australia internationally irrevocably hurting our reputation- Old soccer would never have wasted $45 million of taxpayers money that could have gone to kids hospitals or cancer wards - instead it went on lifting the egos of the FFA lol - a bunch of amateurs as was seen by the end result!
Your league is going under and everyone knows it. Oh and one last truth ... you claimed that South supporters threw the flare which hit a player and was a blatant lie. The Victory hooligans threw it anyway it doesnt matter every week theres less and less of your supporters at games.
Ramps can i ask you a question.
If Hallas was in the A league would you have wanted Australia to win the World Cup bid?
I dont believe it was a waste at all i mean look at how we waste $$$ on that Grand prix each and every year or how about that the 100 plus million we spent on the south eastern arterial in the late 80's before we turned it into the Monash Freeway. The list goes on and on and on. Money is wasted everywhere. This was a sound investment IMO but in the end were beaten by a country who had more money to splash around.
England only got 2 votes in the 2018 also im pretty sure and they thought they were a real show.
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NSL players took Australia to the World Cup. New Football and the FFA got 1 vote and disgraced Australia internationally irrevocably hurting our reputation- Old soccer would never have wasted $45 million of taxpayers money that could have gone to kids hospitals or cancer wards - instead it went on lifting the egos of the FFA lol - a bunch of amateurs as was seen by the end result!
Your league is going under and everyone knows it. Oh and one last truth ... you claimed that South supporters threw the flare which hit a player and was a blatant lie. The Victory hooligans threw it anyway it doesnt matter every week theres less and less of your supporters at games.
Ramps can i ask you a question.
If Hallas was in the A league would you have wanted Australia to win the World Cup bid?
I dont believe it was a waste at all i mean look at how we waste $$$ on that Grand prix each and every year or how about that the 100 plus million we spent on the south eastern arterial in the late 80's before we turned it into the Monash Freeway. The list goes on and on and on. Money is wasted everywhere. This was a sound investment IMO but in the end were beaten by a country who had more money to splash around.
England only got 2 votes in the 2018 also im pretty sure and they thought they were a real show.
Yep if my club was in then of course I would have wanted Australia to win the bid but soccer like football is a tribal sport. For example, if there was a revolution of AFL footy and say Richmond were thrown out and put into the VFL never to return to AFL competition, I would be doing exactly the same probably more. For me sport in this country is 1) Richmond FC 2) South Melbourne. I dont give a poo if the AFL is going well or if soccer is going well, I just care about Richmond and South Melbourne- for me Richmond is greater than the game its the same with South- for me South is bigger and more important than the game. Thats me! Thats how I feel! Its tribal!
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NSL players took Australia to the World Cup. New Football and the FFA got 1 vote and disgraced Australia internationally irrevocably hurting our reputation- Old soccer would never have wasted $45 million of taxpayers money that could have gone to kids hospitals or cancer wards - instead it went on lifting the egos of the FFA lol - a bunch of amateurs as was seen by the end result!
Your league is going under and everyone knows it. Oh and one last truth ... you claimed that South supporters threw the flare which hit a player and was a blatant lie. The Victory hooligans threw it anyway it doesnt matter every week theres less and less of your supporters at games.
Ramps can i ask you a question.
If Hallas was in the A league would you have wanted Australia to win the World Cup bid?
I dont believe it was a waste at all i mean look at how we waste $$$ on that Grand prix each and every year or how about that the 100 plus million we spent on the south eastern arterial in the late 80's before we turned it into the Monash Freeway. The list goes on and on and on. Money is wasted everywhere. This was a sound investment IMO but in the end were beaten by a country who had more money to splash around.
England only got 2 votes in the 2018 also im pretty sure and they thought they were a real show.
Yep if my club was in then of course I would have wanted Australia to win the bid but soccer like football is a tribal sport. For example, if there was a revolution of AFL footy and say Richmond were thrown out and put into the VFL never to return to AFL competition, I would be doing exactly the same probably more. For me sport in this country is 1) Richmond FC 2) South Melbourne. I dont give a poo if the AFL is going well or if soccer is going well, I just care about Richmond and South Melbourne- for me Richmond is greater than the game its the same with South- for me South is bigger and more important than the game. Thats me! Thats how I feel! Its tribal!
fair enough mate
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'South is bigger and more important than the game.'
In just a few simple words you have succinctly explained why the NSL failed.
(And why clubs like South have no place in the A-League and now play in the 'Burbs)
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'South is bigger and more important than the game.'
In just a few simple words you have succinctly explained why the NSL failed.
(And why clubs like South have no place in the A-League and now play in the 'Burbs)
LOL ... South has been around for 50 years and has just secured its future with a redevelopment and guaranteed financial streams, your A League clubs are up the creek without a paddle. When it all crumbles for the A League clubs, and it will crumble, South will be back.
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If you consider a club to be bigger than the game, ultimately the club will suffer, but the game will continue.
This is so obvious you must be blind not to realise it.
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You and I have a philosophical difference, you support the game, I support Richmond FC and South Melbourne FC.
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You and I have a philosophical difference, you support the game, I support Richmond FC and South Melbourne FC.
Yep that's very clear. You can support both though, without compromising. The game will always be bigger, otherwise the game is the thing that could die. And remember, without the game there wouldn't be a South.
Nevermind, I am just hoping MV can get their poo together and make the finals.
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'South is bigger and more important than the game.'
In just a few simple words you have succinctly explained why the NSL failed.
(And why clubs like South have no place in the A-League and now play in the 'Burbs)
LOL ... South has been around for 50 years and has just secured its future with a redevelopment and guaranteed financial streams, your A League clubs are up the creek without a paddle. When it all crumbles for the A League clubs, and it will crumble, South will be back.
The problem though Ramps is none of other old NSL clubs who didn't move into the A-league (not Adel Utd, Perth, Newcastle,Brisbane were/are in South's position. That's why the NSL fell over. Apart from one or two clubs the rest were financial basketcases with no supporters that were dying like flies. Was South going to play themselves every week?! lol. The whole sport was a broke thanks to Soccer Australia's dopey adminstrators. SA had its chance to reform the NSL and appeal to the mainstream when it signed that tv rights deal with Ch 7 in the late 90s but after SA promised Ch 7 it would to do so it bailed out because the NSL clubs protested and so Ch 7 put games on late at night at best or didn't show them at all. Soccer zealots have been blaming Ch 7 and the AFL ever since for that episode but it was the old SA's own fault. Ah those happy NSL days :lol.
In any case not sure what the NSL has to do with a World Cup bid as we were never in a position let alone a financial one to ever bid for a WC under SA/NSL's 27 year stewardship of the game.
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Nice reply btw by Jake Niall in the Age today to Craig Foster's deluded bitter rants post-WC bid.
''The unpalatable truth is that if Australia cannot put together a bid without massive concessions to AFL, a game the world doesn't even know exists, we only demonstrate that we are not yet ready to host a World Cup, because we don't respect the game enough,'' Craig Foster, a round-ball game guru, wrote in The Sunday Age.
No, Craig. The game is respected enough. It just isn't self-sufficient.
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/lowkey-reaction-from-afl-says-it-all-about-cup-bid-20101205-18lbc.html
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So in what comp/league does South now play?
Are they still based at lakeside? Going back when it has been converted?
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So in what comp/league does South now play?
Are they still based at lakeside? Going back when it has been converted?
Victorian Premier League (highest state soccer comp.) and yep they are still based at Lakeside although I think they played at Olympic Park while the VIS redevelopment is going on. Finished 6th this year just one spot outside the finals after having points deducted for being naughty boys ;D.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Premier_League#2010_League_table
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So in what comp/league does South now play?
Are they still based at lakeside? Going back when it has been converted?
Victorian Premier League (highest state soccer comp.) and yep they are still based at Lakeside although I think they played at Olympic Park while the VIS redevelopment is going on. Finished 6th this year just one spot outside the finals after having points deducted for being naughty boys ;D.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Premier_League#2010_League_table
Multi million dollar redevelopment and the club did well financially this year. all is going to plan. After the redevelopment South will be raking in big profits and the only thing left will be to see the stinking carcass that is New Football swinging in the breeze! ;D
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What exactly is 'New Football?' :-\
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I don't know much about a league but IMO wouldn't it have been better off to have a second Melbourne team say based in Geelong instead of in Melbourne.
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I don't know much about a league but IMO wouldn't it have been better off to have a second Melbourne team say based in Geelong instead of in Melbourne.
There was a group or consortium who tried to get this going but they were a throwback to the old ethnic clubs of the NSL.
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What exactly is 'New Football?' :-\
A term to describe Aussie Soccer post-2005:
Soccer Australia, NSL and the old ethnic clubs = "Old Soccer"
FFA, A-league and non-ethnic franchises = "New Football"
The sport should brand itself again as Soccer IMO. The stigma of the Soccer Australia admin has gone and with four football codes you need to distinguish yourself in the marketplace. However the euro-centric hardcore element mostly from Sydney hate the word Soccer.
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World Cup mistake was playing it 'clean': consultant
Paul Tatnell
December 6, 2010
A key consultant on Australia's 2022 World Cup bid claims he was lied to by members of the FIFA executive committee before last week's crucial vote.
Peter Hargitay - who was rumoured to have been paid between $361,000 and $1.6 million for his services - told SBS in an interview to be screened tonight that Australia was originally promised six votes but ended up with just one.
"Before we went into the voting, we had six votes that we were assured of," Mr Hargitay said.
"We needed at least five to survive the first round. We always knew that the first round was going to be the crucial round. Of the six votes, we had one left and that one vote was claimed by two people, so you tell me what is honesty."
Mr Hargitay told News Ltd over the weekend that Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy had "more access to the FIFA president [Sepp Blatter] than anybody I know because I arranged it".
He also claimed Mr Blatter "was devastated" after Australia lost.
When asked why FIFA would back Qatar despite its crippling heat and lack of infrastructure, Mr Hargitay indicated Australia could not compete with the money being offered by the resource rich nation.
"You go figure it out. What do you think? What do you think motivates people, 14 of them, to vote for a country the population of Zurich, to vote for a country that is the size of Fiji, to vote for a country where the infrastructure to play host to millions of fans still has to be created … You go figure, how can 14 men make that decision?" he told SBS.
"The most fundamental mistake we [Australia] made, and there can be no other way, is that we played it clean."
The full interview will air tonight on The World Game, 9.30pm on SBS TWO.
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/world-cup-mistake-was-playing-it-clean-consultant-20101206-18m75.html
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They'd have to be very naive if they didn't realise FIFA is corrupt. No surprise two delegates claimed afterwards to our bid team that they voted for us :wallywink. The Australia bid was also accused of offering pearl necklaces by the Age so we weren't totally squeaky clean ourselves. We just didn't have anything to offer politically to gain votes - no exco member, no confederation block of votes, no Oceania vote and no bottomless pockets. As for Blatter he tells every country what they want to hear and how much he loves them so I'd take what he said afterwards with a grain of salt. Qatar winning most likely keeps Bin Hammam (Qatar delegate) from challenging Blatter at the next president's vote.
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The Age is back attacking the Aussie bid process. Anyone offering a case of wine?
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/fawning-to-fifa-officials-exposed-in-secret-documents-20101206-18mtq.html
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The Age is back attacking the Aussie bid process. Anyone offering a case of wine?
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/fawning-to-fifa-officials-exposed-in-secret-documents-20101206-18mtq.html
so much for the clean bid lol. New Football stuffed up. They should take some responsibility for this fiasco!
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You've got to love how FIFA now want to change the 2022 WC in Qatar to the northern hemisphere winter. So we went through all that "code war" rubbish to satisfy those corrupt fat cats in Zurich for nothing.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/fifa-say-2022-world-cup-could-be-move-to-winter-qatar-mat-share-matches-around-middle-east/story-e6frf423-1225972548554
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FIFA set to move 2022 World Cup to winter
Sydney Morning Herald
January 8, 2014 - 10:51PM
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will not be held in June and July but would best be held in the winter time, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said on Wednesday.
The scheduling of the tournament has been hotly debated ever since FIFA controversially awarded it to Qatar in December 2010, especially over fears that the summer heat in the Gulf emirate would be dangerous for players and fans alike.
"The dates for the World Cup (in Qatar) will not be June-July," Valcke, the second most powerful man in international footbal's governing body, told Radio France.
"To be honest, I think it will be held between November 15 and January 15 at the latest.
"If you play between November 15 and the end of December that's the time when the weather conditions are best, when you can play in temperatures equivalent to a warm spring season in Europe, averaging 25 degrees.
"That would be perfect for playing football."
Valcke did not say whether he favoured a World Cup in the winter of 2021-22 or 2022-23, but the deciding factor could be the timing of the Winter Olympics in early 2022.
There have been increasingly strident calls to switch the tournament to the winter time to accommodate players and supporters.
But this ran into opposition from European clubs, who would lose their top players for several weeks in the middle of the season, and from the International Olympic Committee fearful of any competition with the 2022 Winter Olympics.
World Cup organising committee officials in Qatar have insisted they are prepared for all eventualities concerning the 2022 showpiece.
"From the beginning, we've always said we can stage the World Cup in summer," said Hassan Al-Thawadi, secretary-general of the Qatar 2022 organising committee last month.
"The cooling system for the stadia will be very much part of our legacy. But if the football world or FIFA want it to be staged in the winter then we are happy and ready. If they want it in summer, then we are still ready."
In October FIFA said they would listen to the views of all concerned parties - players, clubs, leagues, federations and sponsors - with a view to taking a final decision on dates in December of this year.
It remains to be seen what the reaction to a possible winter World Cup will be from top European clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich which risk having to do without their top players at a key period for domestic leagues and the Champions League.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/fifa-set-to-move-2022-world-cup-to-winter-20140108-30hyj.html#ixzz2pouXBU2G
What a surprise - NOT! ::)
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Won't happen
Spain, England won't allow it
$$$
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dogs
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Won't happen
Spain, England won't allow it
$$$
Players won't go if they are expected to play in 50 degree heat in June/July. It was and is a corrupt farce that Qatar were given the 2022 World Cup.
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In an unprecedented moment, the head of the Federation International Football Association, or FIFA, has admitted that agreeing to host the World Cup in Qatar was a terrible idea.
In an interview with a Swiss television channel reported on by The Wire, the president of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, said, "of course it was a mistake," when he was asked about the decision to allow Qatar to host an event that takes place in the summer of the Northern Hemisphere. After that statement he said, "One makes a lot of mistakes in life."
http://www.dailyzone.com/articles/608/20140516/fifa-head-calls-qatar-2020-world-cup-mistake.htm
The Qatar World Cup Is A Disaster: 1,200 Workers Dead, New Bribery Investigation
A report from the International Trade Union Confederation says 1,200 migrant workers from India and Nepal have died in Qatar since the country was awarded the 2022 World Cup. The ITUC estimates that 4,000 migrant workers will die by the time the first game is played in 2022.
Workers at the Lusail City construction site told the Guardian that their bosses have withheld pay, forced them to work in 122-degree heat with no rest for food, and confiscated their passports to make sure they don't leave the country.
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theguardian.com, Sunday 1 June 2014 11.14 AEST
Mohamed Bin Hammam with Sepp Blatter in Qatar in 2010. Photograph: Mohammed Dabbous/Reuters
A former top Qatari football official reportedly paid $5m to get support for the emirate's campaign to host the 2022 World Cup.
The Sunday Times said it had obtained millions of emails and other documents relating to alleged payments made by Mohamed bin Hammam, the then Fifa executive member for Qatar.
It alleged that Bin Hammam, also the former Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president, used slush funds to pay out the cash to top football officials to win a "groundswell" of support for Qatar's World Cup bid.
Bin Hammam, who launched an abortive challenge against incumbent Fifa president Sepp Blatter, resigned from his Fifa and AFC posts in 2012, shortly before he was banned for life from football administration by the global governing body's ethics committee.
The newspaper said Bin Hammam had made payments of up to $200,000 into accounts controlled by the presidents of 30 African football associations, and hosted hospitality events in Africa at which he handed out further funds, to get backing for Qatar's bid.
Bin Hammam also paid $1.6m into bank accounts controlled by the Trinidadian Jack Warner, also a former vice-president of Fifa, $450,000 of which was before the vote for the World Cup, the Sunday Times said.
Warner was one of the 22 people who in 2010 decided to award Russia the 2018 World Cup and Qatar the 2022 tournament. He stood down in 2011.
Two months ago the Daily Telegraph alleged that a company owned by Hammam had paid money to Warner.
Bin Hammam did not respond to questions and his son declined to comment on his behalf, the Sunday Times said.
It quoted the Qatari committee behind the World Cup bid as denying that Bin Hammam played any secret role in its campaign, or had any knowledge of the alleged payments.
The decision to give the World Cup to Qatar, a country with little football history, provoked widespread condemnation particularly over health concerns for players forced to play in the desert nation's stifling summer heat.
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Australia may push to host the World Cup in 2022 if Qatar's successful bid is thrown out and voting reopened, with Victorian Premier Denis Napthine relishing the prospect of Melbourne playing a key role.
http://www.theage.com.au/fifa-world-cup-2014/world-cup-news-2014/australia-ready-to-host-2022-world-cup-20140602-39ewb.html
If Qatar is stripped of it then we'd be virtually ready to go for 2022 as far as stadia. Perth's new 60-70k stadium is scheduled to be completed by 2018 and Metricon will be expanded for the 2018 Commonwealth games. The SFS in Sydney has plans to upgrade with a roof. That's even without the World Cup. Add Suncorp, ANZ, MCG and the new Adelaide Oval as already ready to go. Newcastle and Kardinia Park would be expanded to 40-45k with a World Cup using existing plans (Geelong's stage 3 redevelopment for instance). So that leaves one stadium left to find/build to make the necessary minimum 10 stadia for a World Cup. IIRC Canberra was the 10th one in the original bid.
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They wont be stripped of it. FIFA make AFL look like rank amateurs when it comes to saying the right things and paying lip service just to be seen to be doing something
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They wont be stripped of it. FIFA make AFL look like rank amateurs when it comes to saying the right things and paying lip service just to be seen to be doing something
Fallout would be too great. Scrutiny would be placed on FIFA and the other bids, with lawyers, allegations of "racism" and "arab/muslim bashing" flying everywhere. Quatari's have deep, deep pockets.
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They wont be stripped of it. FIFA make AFL look like rank amateurs when it comes to saying the right things and paying lip service just to be seen to be doing something
FIFA also have deeper pockets :whistle.
You're right TM. I'm not holding my breath expecting FIFA to do the right thing. I was just saying Australia could host the World Cup in 2022 with minimal preparation.
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They wont be stripped of it. FIFA make AFL look like rank amateurs when it comes to saying the right things and paying lip service just to be seen to be doing something
Fallout would be too great. Scrutiny would be placed on FIFA and the other bids, with lawyers, allegations of "racism" and "arab/muslim bashing" flying everywhere. Quatari's have deep, deep pockets.
They already had the same number of deaths just from building stadium equal to,s/11via Asian slave labour
How much fallout do they want
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They wont be stripped of it. FIFA make AFL look like rank amateurs when it comes to saying the right things and paying lip service just to be seen to be doing something
FIFA also have deeper pockets :whistle.
You're right TM. I'm not holding my breath expecting FIFA to do the right thing. I was just saying Australia could host the World Cup in 2022 with minimal preparation.
Oil money working for both parties. :-\
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They wont be stripped of it. FIFA make AFL look like rank amateurs when it comes to saying the right things and paying lip service just to be seen to be doing something
FIFA also have deeper pockets :whistle.
You're right TM. I'm not holding my breath expecting FIFA to do the right thing. I was just saying Australia could host the World Cup in 2022 with minimal preparation.
Oil money working for both parties. :-\
Yep. FIFA would hold the World Cup on the Moon if there was $$$ for them in it.
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They wont be stripped of it. FIFA make AFL look like rank amateurs when it comes to saying the right things and paying lip service just to be seen to be doing something
FIFA also have deeper pockets :whistle.
You're right TM. I'm not holding my breath expecting FIFA to do the right thing. I was just saying Australia could host the World Cup in 2022 with minimal preparation.
Oil money working for both parties. :-\
Yep. FIFA would hold the World Cup on the Moon if there was $$$ for them in it.
$epp Blatter is not like that at all. ;D
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Sony and ADIDAS cracked the shytes
Australia :pray
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Coke cracked it also :shh
Hyundi too. - 5 of 6 major sponsers want inquiry into Australia getting butt bumed
Seth Blatter replying such corruption claims = racism to Arabs
:facepalm
What about racist to them 5000 pakis that have died thus far under Arab oilnslave labour
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If there ever is a re-vote which I still think is unlikely the USA will win.
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Knew they'd play the race card.
Australia won't get the WC - we're in the wrong timezone for the broadcasters & sponsors who pay the big bucks. Sydney Olympics was a ratings disaster in the US & Europe.
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that slimy prick sepp has just got himself the votes to be re elected for another term. Playing the race card so all the gumbies from asia and Africa will think he's a hero
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http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/sepp-blatter-leak-isis-supporting-qatar-will-be-stripped-2022-world-cup-1474072
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http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/nov/15/fifa-uefa-world-cup-germany-football
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FIFA is a farce and the quicker UEFA actually action that threat, the better. What a joke those findings were and to rub it in FIFA want to investigate Australia and England for corrupt bids but have cleared Qatar and Russia lmao
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Would love to see this happen.....long overdue.
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lets be honest this would not have got this far is England were awarded the 2018 world cup. They have not taken it well and nor should they. The fact that Australia allegedly tried to bribe them doesn't sit well with me either, albeit on a smaller scale.
Sep the leader of the illumanati hey judge?
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lets be honest this would not have got this far is England were awarded the 2018 world cup. They have not taken it well and nor should they. The fact that Australia allegedly tried to bribe them doesn't sit well with me either, albeit on a smaller scale.
Sep the leader of the illumanati hey judge?
Full Bladder is a crook pure and simple. Stays in power by guaranteeing FIFA members cash flow if they vote to keep him in power. Anyone who says that the Qatar bid was clean is delusional. They need to have a mandatory rotation every few years so corrupt fat cats can't stay at the top of the FIFA pyramid.
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Sony and ADIDAS cracked the shytes
Australia :pray
http://online.wsj.com/articles/sony-pulls-world-cup-sponsorship-1416901673
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:clapping
need more
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http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/fifa-corruption-2018-2022-world-cup-bids-targeted-in-swiss-probe-20150527-ghb3zd.html
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betya ol mate Blatter will somehow come out of this smelling like roses and be re-elected. Snakey stuff
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That's exactly what I was thinking Tone
He will come out squeaky clean like old pal pell when it's all said and done.
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Blatter's a cockroach - a nuclear bomb wouldn't kill him off......
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Blatter is the Hird of Soccer. Bad/dodgy/corrupt things happen within the organisation under his watch and he's not responsible or to blame for any of it.
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(http://img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/photo/azEnAYq_700b.jpg)
http://9gag.com/gag/azEnAYq?ref=fb.s
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:lol
:pray :pray :pray :pray :pray
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Blatter got re-elected :facepalm.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32937639
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Shocked to be sitting here.
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C'mon UEFA, you know what you have to do now.
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http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/exfifa-vice-president-jack-warner-hits-out-at-the-onion-story-20150601-ghdqwv
haha
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Blatter got re-elected :facepalm.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32937639
Now his resigned :lol :lol
Will stand down in December
FBI have taken over the corruption investigation...
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fantastic :clapping :cheers
he resigned after getting re-elected so he could spend the next 6-8 months trying to cover all his slithering tracks, fortunately it looks like the FBI will eventually get him - Im sure those already caught will sing like canaries to get a deal.
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:shh
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGKIe4nWYAA7Mmy.jpg)
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Valencia sign Australia #1 matt ryan
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FIFA has confirmed that the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar will be held in the winter, with the final scheduled for December 18.
Read more at: http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/fifa-confirms-december-world-cup-final-2022-0#efwABpsCiW7kXhAG.99
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sponsors not happy
(http://i.onionstatic.com/avclub/4325/95/16x9/960.jpg)
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pp Blatter has either officially lost the plot, or he’s just gone on a rant and has decided to spill the beans.
[ MORE: Who will be next FIFA president? ]
Either way, the outcome is mind-boggling.
In an in-depth Q&A with Russia outlet TASS released on Wednesday, Blatter has got plenty off his chest as the outgoing president of FIFA lashed out at Michel Platini — who along with him is currently suspended from FIFA due to an unexplained payment of $1.9 million between the pair — and gave several juicy bits of news including where the 2018 and 2022 World Cups should have been held and also hit out at FIFA’s own Ethics Committee before stating, and I quote, that: “If God is with me, I do hope that I’ll be back as president of FIFA.”
[ MORE: Mourinho praises Chelsea players ]
The seven candidates to become the new FIFA president and end Blatter’s 17-year reign — which had been dogged by controversy with current investigations ongoing from the Swiss and U.S. authorities into widespread allegations of corruption — were announced on Wednesday and the Swiss official would officially hand over the reins on Feb. 26, 2016 when the FIFA congress is held and a new president is announced. Blatter is not an official candidate but somehow believes he can still be president… Blatter also contradicts himself multiple times when saying that FIFA is not a commercial company and then, well, saying it is, and seems to be all over the place with his answers.
[ MORE: Messi to Barca? ]
Here’s is the excerpt from the interview where Blatter seems to reveal that before the voting process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups had even taken place back in 2010, FIFA had already decided that the 2018 World Cup would take place in Russia and the 2022 World Cup would take place in the USA. That was until the Platini got involved and Qatar ousted the U.S. at the eleventh hour.
Do you think it was a mistake to simultaneously hold the elections of both 2018 and 2022 World Cups in 2010?
In 2010 we had a discussion of the World Cup and then we went to a double decision. For the World Cups it was agreed that we go to Russia because it’s never been in Russia, eastern Europe, and for 2022 we go back to America. And so we will have the World Cup in the two biggest political powers. And everything was good until the moment when Sarkozy came in a meeting with the crown prince of Qatar, who is now the ruler of Qatar (Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani). And at a lunch afterwards with Mr. Platini he said it would be good to go to Qatar. And this has changed all pattern. There was an election by secret ballot. Four votes from Europe went away from the USA and so the result was fourteen to eight. If you put the four votes, it would have been twelve to ten. If the USA was given the World Cup, we would only speak about the wonderful World Cup 2018 in Russia and we would not speak about any problems at FIFA.
Defending himself throughout the Q&A and launching plenty of scathing attacks against his close friend and the president of UEFA and current FIFA presidential candidates, Platini, it is all getting a bit messy as many of the claims Blatter makes defy belief.
Here’s another excerpt on the “envy and jealousy” Platini feels towards him.
Why does Platini dislike you? You probably had a more or less reasonable relationship with each other some years ago. And then suddenly what went wrong?
You will have to ask him and we will know. Because he wanted to be FIFA president. But he had not the courage to go as the president. And now we are in such a situation in football. But FIFA is working well. FIFA is carrying out competitions and all development programs. FIFA is so well organized that even big opponents in Germany have to say that FIFA is better organized than the German football. Since I became president of FIFA, we have made FIFA a big commercial company. And this naturally provokes envy and jealousy.
It is clear that while Blatter is currently suspended for 90-days by his own organization for this alleged unexplained payment to Platini, he will go out of his way to throw as many people under the bus as he can to try and salvage his reputation… if that is even possible at this point.
Blatter also hit out at the very ethics committee he set up and gave this rather unbelievable assessment of how they should operate.
The irony is that both you and Platini are suspended from football activities for three months.
It’s total nonsense. This is not justice. I put these people into the office, where they are now in the Ethics Committee and they don’t even have the courage to listen to the secretary general, Platini or me. I called them for the principles of the human rights: before to be suspended or excluded from somewhere you have the right to answer and they have denied this. They made a summary investigation and three days later I was suspended.
The man who has led FIFA for nearly two decades and allowed widespread corruption to go on under his nose finally seems to be backed into a corner.
He doesn’t like it all and is coming out swinging in the final few months of his beleaguered presidency of world soccer’s ailing governing body.
http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2015/10/28/blatter-2022-world-cup-meant-to-be-in-usa-attacks-platini-wants-return/?
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I'd doubt there's anyone left who would believe a single word Blatter says anymore. Even if the 4 vote switch was true, it wouldn't change the fact that we got just one vote and, unlike Qatar, we didn't get the option of hosting the World Cup during our late Spring/Summer (European winter) which would avoid any clashes with the other footy codes.
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Watching the ABC doco last night with Frank Lowy reliving the failed bid, either those involved in our bid are trying to absolve themselves of any blame or they were severely dumb and naive about the corruption in FIFA and what it takes to win the World Cup hosting rights. Claiming the FFA was blindsided is pretty funny. What did they expect? These Bid books doesn't end up costing $11m for nothing, Frank :whistle. As for Sepp Blatter giving Australia his pearls of wisdom about losing being apart of sport ::) :facepalm.