By Freud of Football -
November 16th 2009 @ 6:05am
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Loading ...And World Cup 2022 goes to… Qatar?
While there is no such thing as a sure thing, Qatar at 33/1 to host a World Cup could be the best long-odds bet you ever make. Preposterous? Idiotic?
I was recently going through some old boxes and I came across some of my older books. One in particular I remembered to be quite a good read was David Yallop’s How They Stole the Game.
“The book that the FIFA President tried to ban” is a tale of some unimaginable corruption at the highest levels in world football. My favourite was a Brazilian referee who paid $300,000 in back taxes. When asked how he had earned so much, he claimed to have earned over $1 million selling watermelons.
Yallop is a highly respected investigative journalist and author, and if even half of the claims – many of which he has confirmed from numerous sources – are true, then football is in a sad state indeed.
The book is particularly critical of former FIFA President Joao Havelange and his anointed successor, Sepp Blatter.
That Blatter used his power as General Secretary and didn’t declare his intention to run for the position as head honcho until four months out from the election particularly irked the author, who made some very interesting allegations against the Swiss.
“During the inaugural FIFA/Confederations Cup, a ten-day tournament that took place in Saudi Arabia in December 1997, the General Secretary of FIFA went missing for at least one of those days. Blatter left Riyadh for a secret visit to neighbouring Qatar.
“There he met in Doha the ruler of the country, Sheikh Hamad bin Khallifa Al-Thani. The Emir had seized power three years ago after deposing his father. Khallifa Al-Thani has a reputation as a moderniser, a man, anxious to open his country’s doors to Western investment. He has bought women into parliament and lifted press censorship.
“He has opened trade with Israel. This meeting with Blatter was not to discuss private innovations. The subject on the agenda was as old as man. Power and how to acquire it. The solution has been around for a while too. Buy it.
“I do not know what Blatter offered the Sheikh but I would not be surprised if there is a FIFA announcement in the near future that one of the many meaningless tournaments that the Havelange presidency gave birth to has been scheduled to be held in Qatar.”
He continues the allegations, noting how Blatter utilised the influence of President Chirac to aid his vote gathering before returning to the Qatari’s.
“The Emir also ordered his relations who control and run Qatar’s Football Association to do everything within their power to assist Blatter’s election.
“They began to pick up votes from both the African Confederation and from Asia. Qatar’s FIFA delegate, Mohammed Bin Hammam, who sits on the key FIFA Finance Committee, had an additional task.
“In the days leading up to the FIFA Congress Hammam functioned as procurer for Blatter. Positioning himself down in the lobby of the hotel, Hammam collared the delegates as they came and went. He extolled the virtues of Sepp Blatter. If he felt the delegates’ attention was wandering, Hammam talked of money. Allegedly he talked of offering $50,000 per vote.”
“How did they know Hammam could be trusted? Under the circumstances, an appropriate question. An undertaking was given that if Blatter was duly elected, courtesy of the Emir a plane would immediately leave Qatar with $1 million on board. The delegates were assured that they could then come to Hammam and collect their fifty thousand. The figure is not without significance. Between fifteen and twenty delegates were persuaded to exchange the white envelope containing their vote for another containing $50,000. If all of the Emir’s million dollars went in this manner, then the missing twenty votes from Johansson’s tally are accounted for.”
Blatter won the election and was voted in as a FIFA President, the vote count?
Blatter 111 – Johansson 90.
Yallop’s words, written in 1998 and published in ‘99 have often been prophetic except for one aspect; FIFA are yet to announce a meaningless tournament in Qatar.
The gulf nation has hosted a few cups since the book was published, most notably the 2004 Gulf Cup of Nations, but nothing from FIFA.
And what of the Mohammed Bin Hammam that more-or-less assured Blatter’s election? The name will be familiar to many; he is now the AFC President who agreed to allow Australia to play their football as part of the Asian Federation – yes, one and the same.
Hammam now has a mighty big favour to call in and don’t think that just because it’s the World Cup it’s above corruption.
After all, how did Mexico manage to host two World Cup’s inside 16 years? Mexico’s own Rupert Murdoch, Emilo Azcárraga, allegedly befriended FIFA President Havelange and convinced him to confiscate the rights to World Cup 1986 and give them to Mexico, how much money changed hands is the only question that remains.
So Qatar, a country of 1.5 million which is hardly known for it’s footballing prowess and more for its vast oil reserves may have an ace up its sleeve which many have overlooked.
I for one wouldn’t be at all surprised to see World Cup 2022 being held in the stifling heat of Doha with Messer’s Blatter and Hammam bidding adieu to the football world, having achieved peace in the Middle East, at least on the pitch and all by FIFA’s motto; “For the game. For the world.”
David Yallop – How They Stole the Game, London: Poetic Publishing, 1999 – pages 291-293.
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(16)
Albert Ross said | November 16th 2009 @ 10:08am | Report comment
I had forgotten this book too but it’s a good one and still holds true.
When Mo bin Hammam threatened Wellington Phoenix’s continued participation in the HA-L in an interview on SBS earlier this year, Onkel Seppi was very quick to throw water on that suggestion. But if Mo has a favour to call in, how much comfort can be derived from those words?
NZ taking the honours in play off for the worst team to make it to the World Cup, means that there will be no west Asian team in South Africa.. Mo, among others, will not be happy and will be looking to wreak vengeance which I would say would be to kick WP out of the HA-L, look to FIFA to have Oceania play off with UEFA or CONCACAF or even CONMEBOL and ensure 5 AFC teams get to Brazil without let of hindrance. This would give the west Asians heaps of opportunities to rig the AFC qualifiers so that at least two of the west Asian teams with their guest players get through as per the script.
There is also a real risk that Australia who are both infidels (and and don’t share errr… Asian values after all) will get kicked out of the AFC. Perhaps not this time around but I hear scimitars being sharpened.
The best we can hope for is that FIFA will reorganize both the AFC and the OFC (and possibly CONCACAF) into two or three super zones and split the 8 places between them.or find a ninth spot somewhere.
Midfielder said | November 16th 2009 @ 11:29am | Report comment
I read a lot about the faults of FIFA … many true.
However given it’s across 204 countries, rich and poor all reglions all cultrues. It has to be a political animal to have it’s rules enforced…Many have said FIFA’s aid program is a model the UN should follow…They do some good things..
My tho’s in spite of all it’s troubles it normally gets the big ticket items right, even if for the wrong reasons..This is why me thinks the 2018 WC is for Europe and the 2022 between Asia & the US… I think they will vote for Asia and Australia will be Asia’s choice…
On the issue of Asia kicking us out I cannot see Japan, Keroa & Chins or India wanting us out and they have a big influence on Asian Football.
Whether Ocenia should be absorbed by Asia is difficult as the isalnd nations cannot afford the travel. .. More the Johnny Warren option as the winner of Oceina going into the playoff stages opf the Asian qualifers.
True Tah said | November 16th 2009 @ 11:35am | Report comment
Given that the All Whites pretty much ended the theory of the Gulf States Supermen, I guess if they host the world cup they dont have to qualify.
Cant see how Qatar would have the facilities to host it alone, it would have to go with the other gulf states.
Robbo said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:18pm | Report comment
If Qatar do get the World Cup they will definitely have the facilities. They are the worlds richest country, although not through hard work but by falling arse first into oil, and can basically afford the build stadiums at will.
JamesB said | November 16th 2009 @ 2:38pm | Report comment
Qatar might be mad enough to build 12 stadiums (and they probably would) and discover a new technology to cool stadiums in 12 years time as well, but you’d have to say its a real long shot. Australia is actually the best chance for 2022 bearing in mind 2018 will return to northern hemisphere and Europe. 2022 has to go to southern hemisphere and after SA and Brazil earlier, there is only really one option. Money is the only issue, and that is not an issue for Qatar,.
Richard said | November 16th 2009 @ 8:22pm | Report comment
I wouldn’t bet against Qatar pulling out a super bid in that period, they certainly pulled out a lot of pomp and circumstance for the Brazil-England players – I don’t remember seeing a red carpet at a stadium just to arrive on before! But for any European gamblers, a pressing concern at the moment is that the EU opens its gambling market before the next World Cup. Many citizens cannot currently choose which bookmaker to use because of protectionist policies, which belittles the concept of consumer rights. The campaign at http://www.right2bet.net is petitioning for an open market. Please support it by signing the petition!
Freud of Football said | November 16th 2009 @ 9:12pm | Report comment
I hardly think that gambling is a “pressing concern”. I mean really, it’s a sport, gambling has done nothing but ruin it.
Personally I’d rather never hear of another Andrés Escobar type case but as long as gambling is a part of the game there will always be the risk that something like that happens once more.
Rob said | November 16th 2009 @ 8:42pm | Report comment
Mexico stepped in to host 86 after Colombia couldnt get it together…nothing shonky about that..unlike your research
Freud of Football said | November 16th 2009 @ 9:17pm | Report comment
Rob, do you know anything about how Mexico 86? Colombia were getting it together, Havelange did everything is his power to take it away from them and even though the USA desperately wanted to host the tournament – which would have been the more sensible option, to capitilise further on the inroads made by Pele, Beckenbauer etc. – Havelange’s friend got it to Mexico.
Indeed there was a large earthquake 8 months before the tournament kicked off, Havelange was on the first plane to inspect the stadiums and that was all he commented on in the press, he didn’t care about the thousands of people that died but that his friend would still be able to host the WC.
Azcárraga supposedly put his private jet at Havelange’s disposal and was more than happy to help Havelange – who performed his role as FIFA President without a salary – with any financial means required.
Rob said | November 16th 2009 @ 9:53pm | Report comment
As it happens Im old enough and Colombian enough to remember it rather well !
Art Sapphire said | November 16th 2009 @ 11:04pm | Report comment
Thanks Mr Hutcherson for explaining why Mexico got the World Cup in 1986.
http://ussoccerplayers.typepad.com/ussoccerplayers/henry-kissinger-the-nasl-.html
Henry Kissinger, The NASL, And The 1986 World Cup
By J Hutcherson
On October 4, 1977 former Harvard professor and Nixon’s Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was named chairman of the North American Soccer League’s Board of Governors. The position carried no salary, but it did allow Kissinger a voice in U.S. Soccer, and he used it to promote a U.S. bid for the 1986 World Cup.
At the time, the World Cup alternated between Europe and South America. In 1974 FIFA had awarded the 1986 World Cup to Colombia, but infrastructure problems threatened Colombia’s ability to hold a successful World Cup. Realizing that the chances of a World Cup in Columbia were slim, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the United States presented themselves as alternatives for the 1986 tournament. With Kissinger as the de facto leader of the bid, the U.S. Soccer Federation and the NASL prepared a bid.
For the North American Soccer League, the World Cup was a lifeline. Facing extreme franchise instability, loss of revenue, and increasing player salaries, the prospect of a World Cup on American soil was thought to have the ability to stabilize the league until 1986, with the Cup fostering a new set of fans to rejuvenate the league.
Unfortunately FIFA had other ideas and after Brazil backed out, they promptly rejected the Canadian and American bid in favor of Mexico. Outraged, Kissinger and his committee petitioned FIFA for another chance, asking them to visit the United States after they inspected Mexico.
On April 7, 1983 Kissinger, Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, and Indiana University coach Jerry Yeagley spoke before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Commerce, Transportation, and Tourism on behalf of a resolution by New Jersey representative James Florio calling for Congressional support for the U.S. World Cup bid.
Kissinger argued that “the one event that would sweep the U.S. into the world sport of soccer would be for us to host the World Cup in 1986.” Pele added that he had dedicated his life to soccer and his dream was to see it prosper in the U.S. Beckenbauer spoke of the international importance of the Cup.
“Once the Americans understand the magnitude of a World Cup and identify with their own national team, the rest of the process will follow an inevitable path until the United States is a recognized world soccer power. The U.S. is a world power in whatever field they are intent on being one, and a World Cup held right here will make them intent on being one in soccer.”
The committee was not impressed and chose to not ask for a special congressional session to pass legislation calling for support of a U.S. World Cup in 1986.
To no one’s great surprise, a month later, the 1986 World Cup was awarded to Mexico.
Kissinger’s bid for the 1986 World Cup faced several obstacles. For one, the United States was not a South American country. At least Mexico was hispanic, but to move a South American World Cup to the United States would have resulted in potential boycotts by the South American nations.
FIFA called attention to the problem of logistics for a World Cup in the U.S. After all, the bid called for venues on the east and west coast, resulting in much longer travel times than the competition was used to. The preparations for the 1984 Olympic soccer tournament in Los Angeles did little to allay these fears, with appropriate venues for international soccer hard to come by. Surely if a major world event confined to one metropolitan area was giving U.S. organizers trouble, imagine the logistical nightmare of an international tournament held at venues thousands of miles apart from each other would create.
Of course, the real reason Kissinger’s bid failed was more personal than logistics. After all, Mexico had hosted the World Cup in 1970. It appears that FIFA was out to teach U.S. Soccer and the NASL a lesson in who was in charge of the game. In 1981 FIFA had threatened to outlaw the NASL and suspend the U.S. Federation for changing FIFA rules, in particular moving offsides from the halfway line to 35 yards, allowing an extra substitution, and using a shootout to decide tied games. The NASL never fully complied with FIFA’s mandate, at one point threatening to take them to court.
With the U.S. Soccer Federation siding with the NASL, FIFA had to either dismiss the United States and it’s domestic league, or allow the league to flaunt the international rules of the game. By deciding to allow the NASL to continue using their own rules without international sanction, FIFA lost. When the same federation and league came to FIFA two years later asking for the World Cup, FIFA got its revenge.
Ben of Phnom Penh said | November 17th 2009 @ 7:42pm | Report comment
I’ve actually been to Doha and watched a game (Qatar v Sri Lanka – 2nd round or so of the World Cup qualifiers); it was fun. The problem is the requirement of leaving a legacy for football. Qatar already has sufficient stadia for its domestic competitions and further stadia would constitute white elephants. I think if Qatar was host and games were also played in Bahrain and UAE there may be a chance however this would rely upon those states hosting matches without the benefit of automatic qualification for their sides. History is against such mutual cooperation.
The AFC Cup though is another matter, I think Qatar will make excellent hosts.
Also the difficulties in getting a beer outside of the fan zones would lessen the experience somewhat… however that’s a personal opinion.
Art Sapphire said | November 17th 2009 @ 7:59pm | Report comment
Ben – Also the weather is pretty hot in June in the Middle East – will there be a bikini ban in Qatar ??
Ben of Phnom Penh said | November 17th 2009 @ 8:01pm | Report comment
damn, didn’t think of that.
Tifosi said | November 17th 2009 @ 8:06pm | Report comment
I agree ben,
Qatar have more than adequate stadia for their domestic league. I actually think Al-sadd club Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium is a perfect example. I would love all a-league clubs to have something like what they have:
http://www.fussballtempel.net/afc/QAT/Al_Sadd.jpg
Marcel said | November 17th 2009 @ 11:19pm | Report comment
In its current format the WC involves 64 matches.
60 are required to be staged in min 40k stadia, 4 in min 80k stadia…..Thats a min of 2 .72 mill tickets for the event.
The current population of Qatar is estimated at about 1.5 mill ( although the 2004 census only counted 744,029)
As much a I like a good conspiracy theory…there is no way Qatar will ever host the WC