No England 2018 World Cup

Omar Little

I didn't want Russia to get it because their football is rife with racism and corruption, but a fair argument can be made that they are probably overdue hosting it - they (or rather the Soviet Union) were unlucky not to get the world cup in 1990.

But Qatar is beyond ridiculous. Holding the world cup on Mars makes about as much sense...and at least the Martians dont have a history of using slaves for their sporting pastimes and won't be using them to build the air conditioned stadiums. It will never happen but I would love to see UEFA and CONMEBOL boycott it and have their own tournament and inviting the best of the rest of the world instead.

ratsbeyfus

Omar Little wrote:

It will never happen but I would love to see UEFA and CONMEBOL boycott it and have their own tournament and inviting the best of the rest of the world instead.

That'd be cool - Wales could play!

Cleat Eastwood

3 lions on the bus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjR-_VZiIe8

Pross

Technical bid was too good apparently, no point in promoting football in a country where it is already so big and the facilities are so good. As for bribery, I'm sure the FA did a bit of that themselves (fancy dining etc. handbags for the wives none of which are relevant to a bid). The most laughable thing I have heard is the media saying there should be an inquiry into how FIFA have dealt with this - they are the governing body deciding on who hosts their own competition, why should they answer to anyone else? Anyone members not liking it should propose a vote of no confidence in Blatter and co. Chances are it won't happen as most other countries are presumably happy with the result (after all, they are the ones who made the decisions).

rodgers73

Sounds to me like FIFA are taking the same line on this as Bernie Ecclestone is taking with Formula One - by taking the sport to "new" areas it helps build the sport in that region and brings new fans into contact with football.

We've had Arabic teams in the World Cup finals for a while now and a lot was made of how the South Africa World Cup will/has helped push football in Africa, so no doubt Qatar will help do the same in the Middle East. I suspect THAT is the legacy being referred to rather than the stadia etc. As for Russia, didnt Shaktar Donetsk win the UEFA Cup last year? Admittedly they're Ukrainian but it's a sign of growing strength in the East.

jc4lab

The criteria for selecting Russia was that Fifa wanted to extend the world cup to "New Frontiers"..the reason why Qatar gets it after...Fair enough but why not make this firm and clear before anyone spends money on bid preparations..We should sue FIFA for the millions wasted on pointless bidding..

rodgers73

I dont have any sympathy with England for losing it. It's a huge vanity project anyway - its not as if football needs much more money throwing at it in the UK, is it?

bagpusscp

Cleat Eastwood wrote:

3 lions on the bus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjR-_VZiIe8

coxy84

standard procedure, build it up that were favourites and surely the world cup is coming to england 2018 so when we dont get it its an outrage! i used to football through and through so bored of it now, anyway we need till 2030 to get a side together than can even think about challenging for it. BRING ON LE TOUR!!!

Mettan

About time oversea aid was cut anyway

RichN95.

England were a little late in the game in pressing the flesh of the FIFA inner circle.

For example, he's a picture from the beginning of the bidding process, where Mr Blatter met, drank and laughed with an influential Russian deal maker.



The other man in the picture is Alimzhan Tokhtakhounov, who recently had the honour of being listed in Forbes count of the 10 Most Wanted Fugitives in the World.

(Cycling fans - please don't say the UCi are like FIFA. They're really not remotely close to that level of corruption)

daviesee

Cleat Eastwood wrote:

I think they should have had a phone in vote. Who knows, we could have all been looking forward to a nice summer on Anne Widdicombe.

There's a scary thought!

crumbschief wrote:

I'd have summer Anne Widdicombe.

Too scary for words! :shock: :shock: :shock:

daviesee

No England World Cup 2018?

Don't know what the fuss is about, we won't be there either!

tailwindhome

I think some perspective is required. FIFA is a corrupt organisation with some dodgy characters that is true.

However since WWII there have been 16 World Cups, only two countries have held the competition more than once; Mexico and Germany. Mexico were selected when the original choice of Columbia pulled out for economic reasons, Germany (from what I've read) were a suprise choice as the Asian voters protested at the reduction in the number of qualification slots for their confederation by voting against Blatter preferred choice of South Africa.

Brazil will host again in 2014, they'll have waited 64 years.

So FIFA thought they'd take it to an Eastern European country with a strong heritage of both club and national football. Obviously corruption is the answer.


What is a real suprise is the Qatar decision. I would have thought Australia was the obvious choice; an emerging football country, punch above their weight in world sport and have a track record in hosting major events. It will be interesting to see what happens when a world cup is played at a truly neutral venue.