By AAP
December 7th 2009 @ 10:31am
Related coverage
AFL season in doubt if World Cup bid successful
The AFL could be forced to cancel its season if Australia wins the right to host the 2018 or 2022 soccer World Cup, AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said on Monday.
Demetriou said that if world soccer’s governing body FIFA could claim exclusive access to the nation’s biggest stadium – the 100,000-capacity MCG – for four months, it would be impossible to schedule a viable AFL season.
Even though the World Cup only lasts for four-and-a-half weeks in June-July, Demetriou said the AFL had learnt that the MCG could be decommissioned for four months while its most important venue was refitted for soccer.
“The World Cup starts … in June and there’s four or five weeks of securitising it, putting signage up,” Demetriou told the Fairfax Radio Network.
“They would commence work in late March or early April and that would probably mean we’d just have to cancel the season because that would mean we wouldn’t have the MCG for 16 weeks.
“We could probably do without it for 10 weeks and we’d have to play at Etihad Stadium.
“But we couldn’t do it (for 16 weeks), we’d have to cancel the season.
“You can’t just move the season to January, it’s out of the (TV) ratings period, you’ve got cricket, it’s hot, it just doesn’t work.
“We’ve even toyed with the possibility of suspending the season for four weeks because that’s what we originally thought was going to happen.
“And that could work, it’s not easy but it could work.
“We’re trying to find ways to accommodate the FFA … but we haven’t had much come back the other way.”
Demetriou said the AFL had a history of working constructively alongside other major sporting events in Australia, such as the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
In 2000, the AFL season began a month early, allowing it to finish in August ahead of the Sydney Games in September.
“Cancelling a season is a disaster, it affects revenue – we’ve got broadcast agreements, we’ve got agreements with members, we’ve got agreements with corporate partners,” said the AFL CEO.
“The cost is a monumental cost and I’m talking hundreds of millions of dollars.
“Secondly, it would probably mean that some clubs who rely on the $7.5-8 million (annual) distribution from the AFL, there’s no way they could be sustained because they haven’t got that money coming in.
” … It does (put clubs at risk), it would mean a lot of jobs at risk, it would mean the severing of some agreements.
” But I don’t think it’s going to get to that, I think wiser heads will prevail.
“It’s not just us, I’m sure the NRL are in the same boat, and the ARU with their Super 15 season.
“This (would be) the first World Cup where four football codes have ever been staged in the one country.”
England are favoured to win the right to host the 2018 World Cup finals, but Australia’s bid for the 2022 competition continues to gain momentum.
FIFA will vote on the host nations for both tournaments in December 2010.
UPDATED
Football Federation Australia CEO Ben Buckley has moved to ease concerns that hosting the 2018 or 2022 World Cups could force the cancellation of an AFL season.
Buckley rejected AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou’s claim that soccer’s governing body FIFA could claim exclusive access to the 100,000 capacity MCG for four months.
Demetriou said earlier on Monday that such a situation could make it impossible to schedule a viable AFL season.
But Buckley insisted that the MCG would not need to be out of action for much longer than eight weeks.
“We need to get access four weeks before the competition for preparation for pitches and preparation for overlay that are required by FIFA and the duration of the tournament,” Buckley said on Monday.
“In our estimation, that is six to eight weeks depending on where the finals are played.”
The decision on which country will host the respective 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be made next December.
Buckley said the FFA had provided the AFL with information that the longest a venue could be locked up for would be eight weeks.
The FFA had also had discussions with FIFA last week regarding other football codes in Australia continuing their competition during the World Cup.
Buckley, who was Demetriou’s No.2 at the AFL before taking over the top job at the FFA, said he understood the needs of the other codes.
“I am confident there is goodwill and all the other codes understand there is substantial benefits to Australia as a nation to host a great World Cup,” he said.
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Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:56am | Report comment
Code war thread #324
No deal Mr Lowy.
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:12pm | Report comment
Hey Redb, this time last week your number one, (Demetriou) was sprouting to you guys how AFL will make millions from the bid, now he is just telling you the truth, the real football is going to squash AFL in 1 season. ? Funny how he went straight to the Mdeia with his problems, ? Is he normally this soft, underbelly, backbone, ? Learn from league, we have been dealing with world cups for a century, we dont make statements, or brag.
But yeah, i feel your pain,,,,,,,,,,,,,, not.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:00am | Report comment
Mr Demetriou, the sky is not falling down, take a chill pill.
M1tch said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:00am | Report comment
it wont happen, 6 week break in middle to please FIFA and 14 week regular season and finals for afl and nrl
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:17pm | Report comment
Hey Mitch,
yeah, thats right, its only a short break you guys, embrace the world’s biggest sporting event that will make Australia richer beyond our wildest dreams, ? And probably kill off a club or 3 . 
But to be honest, if the world cup can deliver oz 50 times what AFL can, maybe we need soccer to be the Number 1 code.
Just a thought, what do you think Redb. ?
Kurt said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:06am | Report comment
Definitely a warning shot from AD, but clear ‘offerings’ to the FFA also – namely that the AFL can manage without the MCG for ten weeks as long as they can continue to use Docklands, and will be happy to suspend the season for up to a month to help out the bid. It remains to be seen if the FFA are clever enough to listen and start working properly with the AFL & NRL or will continue with their current doomed unilateral & arrogant approach.
Compensation = $1 billion + said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:07am | Report comment
The reason they want such a huge break is to reconfigure the MCG Mitch.
That kind of disruption is completely unacceptable.
I agree. No Deal
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:22pm | Report comment
Deal, Deal, that 1 billion will be aided by 50 billion in wealth. So no deal is unexceptable, Deal. The NRL says deal, rugby union, deal, 2 against 1,,,,, deal. Lets not let a little thing get in our way of global success.
The AFL has got to accept that world cups are bigger than any game. We bring untold riches to us poor folk. 
keeper11 said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:14am | Report comment
As usual…
Gloabalisation arrives and not surprisingly Demetriou and the AFL running to their usual media buddys to beat up
an ‘US’ versus ‘THEM’ for the true-beleivers in pseudo- code war #523027…yawn
AFL had no issue re-arranging its schedule around MAJOR international sporting events ala F1 and Commonwealth Games..
a proposed WC 2022 is just one other MAJOR sporting event …
fully supported by the top echelons of australian government and commerce and i would say much of the more open-minded Austrlaian public……
oh..thats right…but this is the dreaded sockah…..
can’t have ever have it on a front or back page of a paper unless its a beatup about a ‘riot’ or ‘crisis’…
Kurt said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:21pm | Report comment
Read Demetriou’s comments and you’ll see he is basically saying they’re happy to take a break, adopt a flexible schedule etc – just that losing the MCG for 16 weeks is a non-starter. Hardly represents a refusal to negotiate.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:31pm | Report comment
What’s wrong with trying to get some information??
The AFL has ONLY offered in principle support thus far,
and has a track record of being flexible,
so, what is your problem??
btw – talking about Media buddies……it’s the FFA that has gone running to it’s Fairfax print media buddies to peddle lies about AFL govt funding and lies about stadia supposedly benefitting from ’soccer money’ due to 2000 Olympics.
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:34pm | Report comment
M.C , if it came down to AFL not wanting the world cup, you would be knocked out of the water. Demetriou was on the radio, telling all the Melbourne public how clubs would fall over, now if thats not a media beat-up, i dont know what is, the guy has 200 million dollars in the bank.
Probably a beat-up to get more money. The bid will be 10 years away, plenty of time left yet. By then , Soccer might already be the number 1 code. ? The man is frigthened, scared witless by this mass invasion, the living giant is arriving on our shores, all will be swept before it, and the MCG will become soccer headquarters.
The NRL, hey, we just move to NZ till the beast has gone.
Art Sapphire said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:22am | Report comment
Gotta give it to AD – on laucnching this pre-emptive strike on the FFA.
1. Timing – the Monday after the WC draw for 2010.
2. Weapons – Exclusive report in pro-AFL Herald Sun and interview with Anti-Soccer 3AW tabloid talkback station.
3. The rest of the media pick up on the story and it becomes an avalanche.
Can’y you see its a national crisis. The Cuban Missile Crisis has nothing on this
The AFL Strategy in 20 words or less –
If you don’t pay us off, we’ll use everything we’ve got to sour this process as much as possible.
BigAl said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Well – that’s his job to respond like this.
If /when A WC comes to Australia, I’m sure they’ll be endless arguings about who pays for what etc. but it’s ludicrous to think that a business like the AFL will just sit back and handover money, which they would in effect be doing if they didn’t request adequate compensation for their co-operation! – as detailed in the article, the WC per se would cost heaps – for many parties involved in AFL.
Beast-A-Tron said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:03pm | Report comment
Interestingly, a WC in Australia means a Southern Hemisphere World Cup, that is Winter/Summer has been reversed. Yet for some reason they push ahead with this Eurocentric July Tournament. Many problems could be avoided if the Tournament was moved to October but that would mean upsetting the EPL and other European leagues. I’m constantly told it is the “world game” yet the way business is conducted I’m more inclined to call it the “European Game”.
Evidently it is one continent (and not even the hosting continent at that), not the ‘world’ that FIFA accommodates when planning a World Cup.
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:36am | Report comment
Well done Art, keeping them honest. The sky is falling down, the sky is falling down.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:36am | Report comment
Art
tell us what you reckon the AFL and Demetriou should do??
Art Sapphire said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:55am | Report comment
Michael – Andrew is doing what he is paid to do – good on him. If I was being paid a seven figure salary I would do the same
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:01pm | Report comment
Correct. No so much the salary comment, but this is a huge blow to the AFL to lose an entire season.
The answer is build the new Melb bubble stadium as planned to 50,000 so it can host games. Final goes to Sydney’s ANZ stadium.
AFL season halted for 4 weeks whilst WC is being played.
Redb
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
You guys are unreel, this is Bussiness, its not i will give you 100 million to go away, if soccer can crush AFL in one mighty sweep, it will, they won’t give any codes anything. And why should they, i dont see Pepsi paying Coke any money,.
Welcome, to the future.
Wake-up, this is war, but on a massive scale, once Soccer the beast has taken and crushed AFL, and possibly rugby union, and league, they will just move into your deralic homes. And make 10 times the amount you have been making. ? Mate they deal in the hundred millions, and thats just for players.
Beast-A-Tron said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:41pm | Report comment
“i dont see Pepsi paying Coke any money”
I don’t see Pepsi demanding Coke cease operations for x months and lend the use of their fixed capital. If you want to draw upon a microeconomic analogy, at least know what you’re talking about.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:53pm | Report comment
Beast
pretty much everyone on the Roar has zero business sense.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:17pm | Report comment
just don’t forget, that all along, Demetriou has stated “Support in principle, but, need to see the detail”,
….and he’s getting a little frustrated that the details hasn’t been forthcoming,
and given the state heads of govt meeting this week which is supposed to sign off on the bid with the Feds – it’s a good time to stress the fact that there’s an awful lot that is unknown and uncosted.
…..and that along with blatant public lies by soccer administrators and soccer journos claim credit for upgrades at the Gabba and MCG and trying to portray the AFL as recieving Fed Govt funding……….it’s about time the AFL and Demetriou provide some grist for the media mill.
KB said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:28pm | Report comment
The AFL should sack Demetriou and Demetriou should apply for a position with the FFA—If you can’t beat them, then join them, another Grooky administrator can be accommodated on the FFA payroll… No Worries…. Come ‘n’ play
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:47pm | Report comment
K.B, the beast is arriving, at terminal 1 to 100, if rugby league survives, i will be a happy man.
Yes, he will be somewhere on the payroll. After the ship has sunk, he will just up-date his contract, onto a more lucritive one with footy ball. I smelt fear in his voice this morning.
Republican said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Keeper11
I think you are sterotypically melodramatic as the soccer victim here. The’ rooond ball’ game gets a fair go and is well supported throughout the country from the ground up, including media coverage.
If anything, it has the global muscle to completely overwhelm Aust Footy in this respect, given its world status and the influence that commands.
I believe this early argy bargy is to be expected and that both sides will practice alot of give and take in this process however, it appears for now, that FIFA are the unyielding ones.
They may just be in for a bit of a shock if they are ignorant enough to believe the majority of the public in Australia will be only too willing to compromise their national game, without exception.
Cheers
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
and the NRL folk too.
It’s not all AFL here, and remember, in the recent past, there had been more ‘anti’ comment from NRL official circles than AFL.
The focus is on the AFL again now, but, it’s not JUST the AFL.
I saw a nice comment from a person on the PerthNow comments “I think the pro WC people are the ones with no sense of the scale of it. It is far too big and ambitious an event for the FFA to host.”
Nation wide, the FFA are picking fights with everybody.
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:51pm | Report comment
Hey Micheal, dont bring rugby league into your argument, we are all for having the World cup, and i have seen that nearly 35 thousand people are off to the Africa world cup from OZ so far, add at least that by 32 teams, and you get the gist of what World cup football is all about, I embrace the world cup, as does all rugby league followers.
Your on your own buddy, good luck.
Where is my mate K.B, cheers.
Springs said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:03pm | Report comment
Oikee do no think by any stretch that you represent rugby league, RL supporters or the rugby league community as a whole.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:19pm | Report comment
However, I do think he does represent those Rugby League fans who love sport & not fearful of the Football WC.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:07pm | Report comment
This is right.
Rugby League & Football have co-existed for years in Western Sydney mate.
MyGeneration said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:08pm | Report comment
Steady on, oikee, speak for yourself, a lot of us are skeptical to say the least…
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:35am | Report comment
Ah, I heard the mention on SEN this morning around Collo at Docklands,
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.
very, very interesting,
given the H-S reported “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.” this morning,
It appears that :
A. the AFL does not intend shutting down in Melbourne – - it’s apparent that the AFL expects access to either one of Docklands or the MCG…….presumably Docklands where they may feel that the Govt has least leverage.
B. if the flawed bid sees push come to shove, GOvt’s either have to compensate the AFL hugely, or legislate, or both.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:39am | Report comment
Many will recall that my back of the envelop compensation package for having both the MCG and Etihad for 8 weeks started at $100 mill and was as high as $200 mill (which many on the Roar scoffed at).
But if the AFL can’t run its season at all (recalling that not even World Wars and the Great depression stopped the VFL in the past) – then we’re talking about $1 billion in compensation.
If the Feds have only earmarked $2 billion for the WC – then clearly, they better add 50% to that!!
Sorry my fellow Australians – even 2022 is now looking like absolute pie in the sky.
And the blame rests squarely with Lowy and Buckley for imagining they could put up a bid with zero infrastructure to back it up.
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:02pm | Report comment
Pip, why do you think the Government would even want to bow to AFL, they have the Golliath called World Football to cater to, and if push came to shove, i think they would bite the bullit and allow AFL to fend for themselves, giving the money on offer in world soccer.(Football.)
If a code thinks it can hold a government to ransom, ? then that code would be football, not AFL. Football (soocer) is worth 50 years of AFL money , so choosen one over the other, would be like hitting the dispence button on the sink muncher.
Not only that, you have all the soccer, and league, and union community against your code, because we all have world cups, big or small, so we know the logistics. I am not against AFL, but any sweet deals wont be forth-coming. It opens up a whole new pandora’s box.
Better off to just squash the nat, and get on with it. Goes to show what a giant the NFL in America really are, they never missed a beat in their world cup year. In oz, we will see codes tumble, and legacies made. Maybe for the better. ? Who knows.
Mr said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:54pm | Report comment
The MCG (or Docklands) is but 1 of 12 stadiums. It’ll only be one or the other, and one of these is the wrong shape.
Why would the AFL demand A$1bn compensation? I figure A$0.00 to be closer to the mark. There are plenty of grounds in Victoria to play the matches scheduled over 8 weeks at a single stadium. Maybe a few Brazil or German supporters may watch AFL and become supporters thus expanding the global empire. That’s more than enough compensation.
Beast-A-Tron said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:59pm | Report comment
“If a code thinks it can hold a government to ransom, ?”
Since when was honouring private and legal commercial contracts considered holding the government to ransom?
“Football (soocer) is worth 50 years of AFL money”
You able to quantify that?
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:03pm | Report comment
Beast
no one here seems to understand economics, finance and contract law.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:43am | Report comment
Nothing would make me prouder, as an Australian, to see our premier sporting body say to the foreign, unelected, corrupt offiicials of FIFA: stick it up y’er ar$e!!
Go put you circus on in a country that is a bit more yielding, like, say, Qatar.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:49am | Report comment
Vidmar was spot on with his Saudi comments the other day – only a place like Qatar could really do justice to FIFA’s demands – not a liberal democracy like Australia.
vladimir said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:49am | Report comment
is this the same poopinu-troll who spends the rest of his time on soccer forums …?
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:55am | Report comment
Yes it’s the same. He actually makes some sense when he is discussing Football, but is totally coloured when defending AFL.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:01pm | Report comment
Indeed – please see my first instalment in an 8 part series examaning each 2010 WC group:
http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/12/06/examining-group-a-in-2010-world-cup/
But I’m a realist – our WC bid is finished.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
A realist looks at the odds & the odds say Australia are the favourites. I personally think this is your own opinion.
I did enjoy your analysis on the WC group.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:13pm | Report comment
Punter
With your nick name, surely you must know to take England for 2018 and the US for 2022 will be paying good odds right now – don’t wait!!
Once the bookies see our bid book – there will be a complete turn around in the odds.
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
A good punter looks at the odds & the odds rates Australia.
This is just your biggest fear, football on the front, back & middle pages in your beloved Melbourne.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:57am | Report comment
1. This thread is about the AFL.
2. The shaky WC bid relies on AFL grounds.
3. That is, there is no bid.
Melbwolve said | December 8th 2009 @ 7:04pm | Report comment
Only the AFL doesn’t own the grounds and the Government is behind the bid.
The truth is the AFL want to come out of this with something.
Don’t be surprised to see massive upgrades to AFL facilities in stadia around the country.
But consider this; I live in a town of under twenty tousand and there are almost two thousand kids playing football. Auskick can’t get a league together and this is an AFL dominated state.
More and more kids are not changing codes as they grow up now due to the new opportunities open to them.
Aussie Rules, a hybrid game based on several English football rules along with Gaelic rules, will cease to be the major code in Australia in our lifetime.
Springs said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:45am | Report comment
I think I predicted this might happen a few days ago. How long would it take to turn the MCG into a rectangular venue? And then back again? Is FIFA gonna pay for all this? No way should AFL agree to any of this.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:48am | Report comment
Ain’t gonna happen.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:12pm | Report comment
FIFA doesn’t pay for anything,
it’s all siphoned from public funds,
and then FIFA, with their astounding demands – take all the profits and ‘distribute’ as suits them. Perhaps this model works in ’soccer nations’, but, if FIFA isn’t willing to flex a bit, then, so be it. FIFA and Australia may not be a perfect match.
btw – Pip, Jeff Kennett suggested on 3AW the other day that the costings would be more around $6-8 billion, just where all this money is supposed to come from if the Feds are only talking $2 billion…….the states aren’t in a financial position to commit big time…….NSW after all is broke and knows only too well the hit to the public purse that the 2000 Sydney Olympics made!!!
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:17pm | Report comment
Costings of $6b to $8 billion!!!
And Kennett is a big supporter of the WC!!
I though we were going to make $6 billion!!
Maybe Kurt was spot on!!
BigAl said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:03pm | Report comment
KB knows this guy in Austria who can turn it all into a $ 25 BILLION winner !!!!
Springs said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
Geez, why should we have to pay for the MCG to be reconfigurated? 6-8 billion ay, and we make 6 billion, possibly 2 billion in the red, ha! At the moment i see no positives in stagin the WC here, except for pleasing soccer fans.
Melbwolve said | December 8th 2009 @ 7:06pm | Report comment
LOL. You lads are forgetting the indirect earnings that flood into a nation through a world cup.
Enormous amounts of cash flow in from overseas. Germany made a fortune.
Republican said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:46am | Report comment
Art Sapphire
I am certain they have more than enough to pay out mate, I mean really, the AFL is a light weight fiscal player compared to what the World Game has fiscally at it’s disposal, so I don’t know what your’e all getting so prickly about, other than to take the opportunity to knock our great national sporting treasure.
There of course has to be some compensation as i am sure we would all agree. As to how much that should be, will be revealed in good time.
Cheers
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:58am | Report comment
Only $1 billion in compensation required – it’s really not all that much!!
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:58am | Report comment
Where in Art’s threads, did he knock our great nationa sporting treasure? Abit precious mate
Art Sapphire said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:11pm | Report comment
Republican – show me where I’m being prickly. AIl I did was make an astute observation on the the AFL’s media management of the issue. I even agreed with Michael that if I was Andy I would be doing the same thing.
I am not going to lose any sleep over whether we win the WC bid.
But Demetriou has made sure that the spectre of the WC being played in Melbourne will be a nightmare for parochial AFL fans because fear sells.
When Andy starts suggesting that the AFL season will be lost – you know he is playing his final hand.
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:20pm | Report comment
I think that last line explains it all.
BigAl said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:44pm | Report comment
…fInal hand – I think you’re grossly underestimating AD.
md said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:49am | Report comment
Oh dear. There go Melbourne’s hopes of hosting the final. Quick – you might miss them.
It’s pretty clear that the FFA nicked all of the good sports administrators from the AFL, isn’t it.
Pippinu’s opinions are coloured by the fact that he has a bet with me that we will not win the World Cup. I suspect he has signed up as Demetriou’s media adviser to give himself the best chance. Nice work :p
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:59am | Report comment
md
An A-League or AFL grand final in 2011 – if the Bullies make the grand final in 2010 – can I please bring my prize forward??!!
Cheers
Stevo said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:58am | Report comment
Aussie Rules survived the disruption of two devastating World Wars and is still here today and thriving. For a sport that prides itself on its machismo they sure are a bunch of sooky-la-la’s it seems. Granted their concerns should be heard, but deal with issues and challenges with confidence at least. Hosting a world cup is no mean feat, it’s held across many cities not one single city as in the Olympics, it takes a nation’s full backing to secure the tournament and hold them successfully. If these kind of insecurities by sporting bodies here continue, I’d say we don’t deserve to host a world cup of football. Would I be remiss in saying that it’s this kind of immature obstructionism (and antagonism for the world game) that could ruin our chances for 2018? Surely England and its European backers, plus other bidders are taking note… I thought Australia was no longer a footballing backwater?
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
Hate to point this out but as far as spectator sport is concerned, soccer is not number one for most Australians. Unlike England.
In the two biggest cities, Melbourne and Sydney, Australian Rules football and Rugby League are the most popular.
Redb
M1tch said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:15pm | Report comment
FIFA wont care about that, I wonder if they will pay some sort of compo?
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:21pm | Report comment
Mitch
it’s not in FIFA’s mission statement to pay compo.
The taxpayer will fork out billions of dollars – and FIFA take the billions of dollars generated by the WC – that’s the formula.
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
I’m sure they won’t.
Stevo said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
Red B,
You have no arguments there, but football isn’t the most popular code in the US either and they’ve hosted the World Cup already and are bidding again in 2018 I believe. I’d hazard a guess and say their sporting bodies are mature and confident enough to rise above the type of insecurities that ensconce the NRL and AFL here?
Just sayin .. you can look at posed challenges or threats as opportunities also, in my mind if your view is the dominant and only one – we don’t deserve to blessed with the festivities, the spectacle and color that comes with a world cup of football – regardless of the money it would generate for tourism here and many other benefits. The world cup is a celebration, its admirers already know this especially those who have been lucky enough to attend one. I acknowledge many still do not and cannot understand this.. sadly.
Springs said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:36pm | Report comment
The US doesn’t have to shut down three major sporting codes to host the World Cup.
Stevo said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
Are you saying then the AFL/NRL aren’t strong enough bodies to do the same or find similar solutions? I’ve been under the impression the AFL is master of its domain, that it towers above all other codes, is the most awesome powerful sporting league in this nation? That it has so many $$$ in sponsorship that it’s untouchable, that nothing could derail its popularity and strength.. Are you suggesting their strength is over-hyped? So we really should be seeing Aussie Rules as a sporting minnow, globally speaking??
Springs said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:03pm | Report comment
The solution for the AFL/NRL is no World Cup.
NFL, NHL and NBA were in the offseason when the ‘94 WC was played. Baseball kept playing as they played on baseball stadiums, which the WC didn’t require. Above all, America is 15 times larger than Australia and can much more easily host the WC.
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:06pm | Report comment
I agree Springs it not the right fit for this country. Too much disruption.
Stevo said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:49pm | Report comment
So there’s absolutely no way of satisfying these sporting bodies and their respective codes, lest a few billion dollars compensation – or better yet never host a world cup here in Australia? That is what Pips and others are essentially saying and keep repeating it appears. There’s just no way whatsoever of accommodating the best footballers from around the world, and their fans here. Sports loving nation huh? Here we are with a year to go from possibly being rewarded with hosting the largest spectacle in world sports, and we’re all excuses – it’s impossible, let’s be done with it.. etc.
It seems from reactions here that Football (the world game) has no place in this country unless it gets some kind of OK from a code that for decades has scorned and belittled it? I get the parochialism, but I think it’s clear (“can’t be done” excuses) many of you want nothing at all but the failure of our bids to occur. Deep down that’s what you’re all hoping and wishing for.. such a pity, as I suspected earlier we’re still a footballing backwater.. and it seems it’s exactly what many here prefer remain.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:24pm | Report comment
Stevo, it would appear that there are those who seriously wants to keep Australia as a footballing backwater based soley on the fact that they do not like the sport.
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:37pm | Report comment
IMO the disruption is the bigger issue than compensation.
Springs said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:38pm | Report comment
Stevo, I agree, I do want the bid to fail. However, I would be happy for Australia to host the World Cup if:
The tournament does not disrupt the other sporting competitions
FIFA is willing to pay for the tournament instead of the taxpayers.
Australia as a nation is able to sustain the tournament without reconfigurating stadiums or building new ones.
The Rugby, Cricket, and League World Cups were all able to hold their tournaments without this much controversy.
Timmypig said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:49pm | Report comment
Stevo, re the USA sporting bodies – maybe, maybe not.
But the USA has over 100 suitable stadia, ready to go, with no clash with either NFL or college football seasons. We (Australian bid I mean) can tick so many boxes with this, but the suitability of venues will kill us. Let’s face it – the MCG is NOT suited to football, and frankly, Docklands and Sydney Olympic Stadium are pretty crook too. Thus we’re left with Lang Park as the ONLY venue in the country that is suitable and matches FIFA’s requirements. Throw in our almost unique football code clash problem and we’re sunk.
There is no way Australian governments will spend the coin required to create stadia that will never be filled again.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:26pm | Report comment
That summarises it well – our bid is laughable.
Mr said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:14pm | Report comment
More than enough reasons there for FIFA to push football into this frontier.
Beast-A-Tron said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:15pm | Report comment
“Sports loving nation huh?”
If only you could see the irony of your scorn. Australian sport fans value choice. FIFA’s demands are anti-competitive and restrictive of choice. Sports loving nation indeed, that is exemplified in the existence of four professional codes of football; so lets keep it that way (being able to choose).
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
Actually – isn’t it the FFA that should be dealing with it with confidence (rather than hiding behind the shadows of FIFA and the Government)?
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:13pm | Report comment
Hey Stevo, just look at the amount of Aussies going to the world cup in Sth Africa, if that is not telling FiFA something, i dont know what will. We will win the 2022 bid, no worries about that, should give enough time for AFL to get out of town.
The rest of the states will embrace the world cup, big flowing red carpets, for delivering us to the promised land.
And knocking off a few clubs and maybe codes in your waike. 
In the meantime, i will be in England, watching super league, 
Gweeds said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
Strewth!
This is an un-Australian lefty plot! Engineered by Kevin Rudd and that pseudo ALP mole in the Liberal Party Turnbull (thanks God that he has now been deposed).
Now that we have a real Liberal leading the party we must gather the troops and fight this foreign sport. We have seen that real Australians were able to reverse the LIberal support for the Energy Trading Scheme which was based on another lefty-commie fantasy: Global Warming.
Labor is undermining the true Australian culture. We can see how they are piss-weak with illegal migrants coming by the boatloads and now this Soccer World Cup which is going to destroy our game!
Soccer is a left wing game promoted by the non-English speaking immigrants who are determined to change Australian culture. The soccer activists use SBS (the left-wing public broadcaster paid by taxpayers) and Federal and State Labor Parties to champion their soccer cause.
If I were the AFL Commission, I would get the Liberal Party on their side to fight the ALP’s promotion of soccer in Australia or 2. place draconian negotiation conditions on Australian soccer administrators – such as, “the AFL Commission will agree to allow FFA to use the MCG for one year in 2018 or 2022, provided FFA pay for the upgrade of Aussie Rules ovals in Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Tasmania, Geelong, Western Sydney, Canberra, the Gold Coast and Cairns into modern 60,000 seat capacity Aussie Rules stadiums and agree to pay the AFL an annual income of $500 million(indexed to the CPI) for the next 100 years”.
Lets see how badly FFA want the Soccer World Cup in Australia. Using some hard-arse negotation, the AFL Commission could potentially drive Soccer Australia bankrupt or out of the football market for the foreseeable future while ensuring the future of the great Australian game.
There is a great opportunity here for the Liberal Party to stand up for Australian culture over the alien, introduced soccer culture. The Federal and State Liberal Parties could make an election promise to reverse any decision on soccer support made by the Labor Party.
They done it on climate change and we can also do it with this stupid waste of money for this bid!
P.S.Thanks to Herald Sun readers which helped me with some of the wording.
KB said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:25pm | Report comment
What about those bloody convicts from the first fleet (the ones still alive) shouldn’t we send them back to the ol’ dart where they came from…?
~~~~~~~
KB
md said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:26pm | Report comment
Which liberals though? I mean, Malcolm Turnbull has just released a blog, where he calls the AFL bullsh*t.*
Cheers
md
*not really
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
Hey Gweebs, i dont even follow soccer, but i am all for it and the bid. Its going to happen one day, why fight it, if AFL falls in a heap, who is going to cry, everyone already thinks Melbourne is brainwashed, so having soccer as the number 1 code will not affect me.
Besides, the only code pushing its weight around has been the AFL, the other codes know better not to mess with the beast.
Mr said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:17pm | Report comment
Nice work Gweebs. But isn’t AFL played on cricket grounds, and football on rectangle grounds. Where is the clash and need for upgrades with football money to cricket grounds?
Republican said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
Pip
Go the Doggies!!
But NOT to NZ I trust
Cheers
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:15pm | Report comment
1984 world cup held in the US, 2010 world cup to be held in Sth Africa, even maybe Japan (held WC in 2002). Neither of these countries have Football as No 1. So not sure your point.
M1tch said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:21pm | Report comment
did Baseball suspend play while WC was on?
Basketball, Hockey and the NFL were all in their off seasons too
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:24pm | Report comment
It was 1994 in the US – you’re having a bad day with years!!
Baseball continued playing – FIFA knows not to muck around with the big American sports.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
Sorry Stage fright, first day!!!!.
Jeb said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:40pm | Report comment
baseball isn’t played in football stadiums so that doesn’t prove your point. However I agree with the sentiment and say that the US would never have or want the world cup if it meant moving the NFL or college football seasons.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:50pm | Report comment
Jeb
but as a major sporting activity (which baseball is), they didn’t have to close down while the World Cup was on – whereas we understand that the AFL cannot be played in any city hosting WC matches during the WC – so it’s still relevant.
Lazza said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:30pm | Report comment
Football is the national sport in SA – it’s the minority whites who have always followed Rugby and Cricket. In Japan Football is the most popular sport among the young while the older generation still prefer Baseball.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
So it should be.
Spanner said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:22pm | Report comment
During the World cup in 2018 it has been decided by the Government that they will do a similar thing to what they did for the Sydney Olympics when they removed all homeless people from the streets. This time though they will remove all bogans and xenophobes from the streets of Australia for the entire year. This will leave more room for the foreigners to come and spend millions of dollars in our country and when they leave they can all come back and tuck into a meat pie a VB and watch their domestic competion again, in improved facilites while using our update public transport, roads, airports and general infrastructure. It will really be like nothing has changed, your team should be still there unless the AFL or NRL decide to close you down in the meantime. If you are interested in joining the list apply online at I am a boganandxenophobe.com.au and a truck will pick you up on new years day. For those that respect all codes and the growth of our country hang around it will the biggest event Australia will ever have in ones lifetime.
Kurt said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:24pm | Report comment
Spoken like a true cringeball fan. Let us prove our worthiness by bowing at the great altar of world cringeball, in the desperate hope we will receive the approval of our betters.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:31pm | Report comment
My fellow Australians – let us tell the world once and for all that we have gotten over our Cultural Cringe forever!!
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
I don’t think it’s a matter of bowing to anybody. You may not be a football fan. But there are others in this country who would like to see the best footballers in the world playing the biggest competition in the world in their own country. It’s as simple as that.
Kurt said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:38pm | Report comment
Ironically Andrew Demetriou is amongst those who would like to see the WC – just not at any cost. I think that’s the position most of us would take. As I’ve tried to point our repeatedly, in this interview AD basically says he’s happy to shut the AFL down for 4 weeks and make do with losing the MCG for ten weeks. And yet this still isn’t good enough for some! If the FFA really want their bid to succeed how about they sit down with the AFL and NRL for an honest, transparent discussion and work something out? Instead it seems easier to put together a half-baked bid, grab a bit of government cash and then point fingers at other sports.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
I agree – let the FFA build the rectangular stadiums it needs, and leave the AFL right out of it.
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:42pm | Report comment
I have similar views as per the AFL grounds in West Sydney. But you don’t.
KB said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
Yes Punter, you have said it all … a once in a life time to see the best footballers in the world of any code, in the biggest football tournament of any code the world
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:05pm | Report comment
Thanks KB, any sports fan would want to see the WC in Australia. I don’t understand this anti comments.
I thought the Olympics was great & the Rugby & Cricket WC were great when held in Australia.
Springs said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:06pm | Report comment
There are far fewer people in this country that would like to see the AFL and NRL shut down for an entire season so they can watch four weeks worth of soccer.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:26pm | Report comment
AS I’ve said – $1 billion in compensation to the AFL (plus renovations to all major AFL grounds) should just about be sufficient recompense – no need to do anything ridiculous.
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:38pm | Report comment
I think your missing the mark there. My read is the FFA have botched this and have not engaged the AFL or the MCG for that matter.
This issue will divide opinions but there is so much grey and the FFA have not filled in the blanks so the AFL has gone public with its concerns.
It is now up to the FFA to try a little harder to demonstrate they want to co-exist.
No deal Mr Lowy.
Redb
md said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:24pm | Report comment
Erm – I’d hate to bring some rational thinking to the exquisite flow of diatribe, but isn’t the maximum cost to AFL likely to be the costs of bringing one of their surburban grounds up to scratch for say a 30K-ish crowd, and then some compo for those games that would ordinarily attract a bigger crowd, and cannot be held at Docklands (bearing in mind that all right thinking people will be going to watch the World Cup). Betcha that costs less than a billion dollars.
For example, if the deity of your choice / the random chances of universal physics (take your pick) landed a meteorite on the MCG next June (and let’s face it, they’d have every excuse), I’m betting the AFL would probably find some way to accommodate the hoards of Victorians desparate to see Ben Cousins or someone just like him.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:27pm | Report comment
md
No – the talk at the moment is the AFL not playing a full season – that’s $1 billion compensation.
md said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
Apparently the reason for not playing a full season is because the WC would need exclusive access to the MCG.
Demetriou said that if world soccer’s governing body FIFA could claim exclusive access to the nation’s biggest stadium – the 100,000-capacity MCG – for four months, it would be impossible to schedule a viable AFL season.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
the sounds coming from the AFL is that they are NOT willing to vacate Melbourne or WC cities – -
and that they want to play a full season,
now, if the NRL does that too,
are they (AFL and NRL) going to dig their heels in on the training bases of their clubs,
because, again – the danger of the FIFA WC is that if you say, okay, accept a 4-8 week mid season shut down of both AFL and NRL – - but, that’s not just match venues, that is in all likelihood training venues too – - – what do the players do during that time, 32-36 AFL/NRL teams of players (and ARU too??) need somewhere to train.
Mr said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:23pm | Report comment
Neither the ARU nor the NRL have any problem – upgraded rectangle or new rectangle grounds around Australia will benefit both football and NRL/ARU codes for many years after a FIFA WC. This posturing from the AFL is pretty small – it’s only 1 ground. Sad.
KB said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
Pippi,
the big news of the day is that SFC have closed the gap to only 3pts to MV and the ANZ or the MCG stadiums will be needed for the HAL grand final… That is the story you should be concerned with— the WC is in the bag and it is useless to discuss any compensation as Kate Ellis has stated the compensation will be the Stadia legacy left behind, which will be more than a measly $1b you are looking for now..
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:52pm | Report comment
The AFL will want the stadia legacy and the $1 billion (and they deserve it too).
KB said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
well you won’t get both…
KB said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:01pm | Report comment
nor the toiltet seat…
Springs said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:11pm | Report comment
What stadia legacy? A rectangular MCG? And aren’t we paying for the stadiums?
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:36pm | Report comment
md
The responses of non-Victorians on this thread goes to show that there is a fair bit they don’t understand.
Just for starters – did anyone think about the Medallion Club members at Etihad? (some 5,000 or so) – my bet is that no non-Victorians have thought about it – but Ian Collins has thought about it – that’s why he has written to the FFA to say thanks, but no thanks.
Even more importantly – what are the rights of MCC members during the World Cup?
Is FIFA going to let them rock up to the Members Bar as they would normally expect to do?
If not – how willing is the MCC going to be to go with zero revenue for a full year – and have their MCC members see no football of any description for a full year?
Now many non-Victorians on here will say to all this: bad luck – this is the World game, etc.
Yes – but the people who matter won’t be saying bad luck (except to the FFA and Rudd).
Rudd will use his powers of persuasion?? HA HA HA
md said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:55pm | Report comment
All of that is completely off topic. Read what your fearless leader is saying: Because of 6 weeks of non-access to the MCG, we need to scrap a competition that has survived wars, the great depression and the Brisbane Lions winning too much.
It’s hilarious, expect for the fact that so many Victorians appear to be nodding sagely.
Tom said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:12pm | Report comment
Pip, please tell me this post was meant to be tongue in cheek.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:15pm | Report comment
I undersatnd that Ian Collins did write to the FFA saying thanks but no thanks.
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:24pm | Report comment
Would you accept scrapping the AFL season to ensure Australia hosts the soccer World Cup?
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/cs/Satellite?option=1225807638466&c=News_Poll&cid=1225807637460&pagename=Foundation%2FNews_Poll%2FsaveResult&site=HeraldSun
Opinion polls are often a small snapshot of support and depend on how the media portray an event but its interesting that despite the ‘feel good’ factor of a WC bid the AFL has this swinging their way. Probably for the first time.
The FFA are not winning the PR battle on this one and deservedly so.
For the record I voted NO.
Redb
md said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
Yeah – because the Herald Sun readers are a credible source. I suspect The Herald Sun will be the next to claim compo if Republicans comments about removing all of the bogans and xenophobes from the streets are accurate.
Sheesh – this could cost FIFA a lot of money!!!
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:40pm | Report comment
Both the Herald Sun and AGE are carrying big stories on this issue, we are the main patrons of AFL football and the MCG and have the most to lose.
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
Thanks Redb, I voted Yes.
KB said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:03pm | Report comment
Put me down for a yes too….
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:09pm | Report comment
unfortuantely KB they only let you vote once. I tried leaving a couple of fishing sinkers on the N and the O but it didnt work.
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 5:15pm | Report comment
Yes also, i love new rectangle stadiums, now lets see, thats 4 to 1 already, seems like their is something bogus with the herald sun. Lets put it to the Parliment vote., all those for, say eye, eyee eye eye yeyee, seems like the eyes have it,.
Lazza said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:35pm | Report comment
Doesn’t this prove how little foresight and brains the ‘World’s Sporting Capital’ had when refurbishing the MCG? Compared to the super new, modern stadiums being built around the world it’s nothing special except for it’s size.
If they had used a modern design which made it possible to reconfigure it quickly and cheaply when hosting football, rugby etc, then we wouldn’t have this controversy.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:41pm | Report comment
why would you bother??
The all new WEmbley only accomodates about 1.5 million attendees annually for Rugby and Soccer.
The MCG accomodates between 2.5 and 3 million and even more AFL attendees alone each year,
along with several hundred thousand cricket fans,
and, for other purposes Melbourne has Etihad to serve the minor codes just fine for their showpiece events.
Why, why – would you spend heaps on 1 game every 4 years or so?? (the odd FIFA WC qualifier). If you can build a business model on that then I’m sure the MCC would be all ears!!!!
Mr said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:39pm | Report comment
So why bother having a Melbourne WC venue? Brisbane is far superior in weather in June, has world class rectangle stadium, good connections to Gold Coast where another WC Stadium will be.
Kurt said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:42pm | Report comment
Absolutely correct Lazza – it’s a rubbish stadium and should be removed from the bid forthwith. The WC is a spectacularly huge global event that will make Australia tens of billions of dollars and yet for some reason it’s still dependent upon out grubby little AFL stadiums. Go figure.
Lazza said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:09pm | Report comment
Kurt, the only reason we’re getting a decent city stadium in Adelaide is because of the World Cup. The AFL and Cricket have been at war for 3 decades and it took this event to finally bring them together.
Who’s going to benefit the most from that – the AFL!
Lazza said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:07pm | Report comment
Then why call yourselves “The Sporting Capital of the Universe”? The MCG bids for big Football and Rugby games all the time but it spent an absolute fortune on refurbishing a stadium that’s not suitable for either.
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:11pm | Report comment
We are only the sporting capital of AFL football.
Go Dons!
Republican said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:45pm | Report comment
Talking of cringe, the Doggies, with the AFL’s blessing mind you, taking two home games to NZ rather than playing them at home or at least in their backyard, i.e. the ACT or NT, smacks of it for me.
Sorry Pip, but I could not resist!
Cheers
dasilva said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:45pm | Report comment
I get the feeling that alot of this is speculation. I’m quite sure FFA itself doesn’t really know the conditions required about what FIFA expects of stadium used and availability. They are probably working it out with FIFA right now.
Until we hear it from FIFA itself, it does seems like fear mongering. I doubt that FIFA is going to ask AFL to shut down it’s season for 4 months or no world cup. I don’t think FIFA considers AFL and other football codes to be a “major sports” by its criteria.
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
Please don’t bring reason into this argument, otherwise,
I do agree with you 100% & as Art said earlier, it’s the timing of the comments from the AFL CEO.
Everybody was talking World cup draw.
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:53pm | Report comment
The issue of ‘major sports’ is taking a backseat for mine. The issue is the unavailablility of the MCG by a long stretch.
Placating with “oh well you can play in Ballarat” is kinda missing the point.
Redb
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
but what are it’s criteria?
The FFA doesn’t know.
Is it ‘international’? Would a Wallabies vs All Blacks in Melb drawing 50,000 to Etihad be no go but Carlton vs Collingwood at the MCG drawing 90,000 would be fine??
Mr said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:49pm | Report comment
Probably worth waiting until FIFA decides whether Adelaide gets a rectangle or rectangle/conversion stadium before deciding on who benefits. Don’t believe everything you read in News Limited.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
C’mon FFA – have the strength of your convictions – build all the stadiums you need – don’t rely on the AFL’s grounds!!!
Millster said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
This thread makes me come out of my self imposed exile for a second. I read ADs stupid comments on Fox and came right here to see what reaction there was to it.
What a singularly pathetic lack of imagination on behalf of the AFL. For example…
Where is the thinking that this is an opportunity to dedicate a whole bunch of weeks, or perhaps the whole season, to regional cities and towns who normally don’t have top-flight AFL come to them? Bendigo, Wagga, Mt Gambier, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Sale and a whole bunch of other places come to mind and it would be an amazing piece of Aussie positioning and marketing for the future of AFL.
On the same vein but maybe a bit more expansive again (and not mutually exclusive with the above suggestion) – Where is the thinking to have a round in England, a round in Sth Africa, and a round in and around the South Pacific (including NZ and PNG)?
So my bottom line is that the AFL are having a laugh… or else they are admitting that they simply cannot exist without their 2 or 3 southern fortresses. Or more likely yet they are just engaging in a short term marketing stunt right now to fire up their core supporters into an emotional lather lest some decent logical rational thinking get in between their ears about what will be the greatest event in Australian history.
So… scrapping the season? You have to be kidding me. AD we are simply not that stupid.
By the way, before I go away, one quick reminder that you can anticipate and celebrate the potential for Australia to host the World Cup and also still be a ‘true’ AFL or NRL fan. The two are not mutually exclusive despite what your code’s spin-doctors will lead you to believe over the next 5-10 years.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:19pm | Report comment
“Bendigo, Wagga, Mt Gambier, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Sale and a whole bunch of other places come to mind and it would be an amazing piece of Aussie positioning and marketing for the future of AFL”
that was a joke, right?
Millster said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:24pm | Report comment
No Pip it wasnt
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
Then your kidding yourself.
Millster said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
Can I have a reasoned counter-argument then Pip or RedB? Or is it just a case of putting your hands over your ears and saying that anything involving change – even if it may be a really good idea – is ridiculous?
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:07pm | Report comment
why should 600,000 AFL members have to travel to Port Headland or Wagga to watch a game of footy, and to have to put up with low grade facilities for 5000-10,000 and thus meaning that 30,000-60,000 people can’t get in??
It’s just not sensible.
How much govt compensation can I get to cover my travel and accomodation? and my kids.
Actually – - that would be the greatest Govt stimulus package…..far better than a 4 week boost to hotels and domestic airlines.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
Millster
I’ll give you one billion reasons:
$1 billion in lost revenue
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:32pm | Report comment
Millster, all those people in them towns will be at the world cup.
Gweeds said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:34pm | Report comment
I agree that the AFL is either having a laugh as you say, or timed this story (with the aid of their friends on 3MMM and 3AW) just after the World Cup Draw.
JAJI said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
Do the AFL aligned “recalcitrants” really believe Frank Lowy is going to be distracted by a code of football that is a) not played anywhere else in the world and b) not even followed at all in Australias most most popular state of NSW?
This reaction wont even register a blip on his radar
Up there Cazale!
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:14pm | Report comment
…and that’s why the bid is dead.
MyGeneration said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
…a code of football that is a) not played anywhere except religiously in half of the country he is trying to get behind him to put on a World Cup. Should be a pretty big blip if Frank’s as smart as everyone tells us he is!
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:04pm | Report comment
Frank Lowy does care – - he must, his bid is nothing without the assistance of the AFL and NRL. The rest of the world matters little if he can’t get his own house in order,
a bit like a domestic govt is no good if it’s foreign policy is great but domestic policy is tish-house.
calling us ‘recalcitrants’ is a bit rich. The FFA has thus far, made itself hard to deal with because, as they acknowledge – they still don’t know themselves and apparently are in discussions with the real recalcitrants here – which is FIFA.
keeper11 said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
Red B..you are kidding..
Mmmm..readers of the HS and 3aw as representative of wider public….?
an intelligent , objective of the national benfits vs costs etc of the WC bid is ofcourse a must..
does anyone dispute this..?
but looking at some of the HS readers ..umm comments..
all i see is outright ignorant, fear driven hysterical, hate-filled, xenophibic rants … .
the same garbage ofcourse that always seems to only apply to :
1. refos
2. ..’that’ ..sniff..’foreign’ game..sniff sniff…
guess thats what a lifetime of reading and loyal listening to the tabloid detritus of the HS and 3aw does……
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:50pm | Report comment
There are quite a few anti AFL comments from soccer folk as well. What are they doing reading the Herald Sun? unbeleivable!
Lazza said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:20pm | Report comment
No, it’s just the AFL administrators and fans that we are critical of. Most Football fans I know follow both sports – most AFL fans don’t follow anything but AFL.
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
What is amazing to me is they want to spend $130M turning the MCG temporarily into a rectangular venue but wont look at the new bubble stadium and redevelop it’s capacity?
Its wrong, damn wrong I say, man the ramparts and load the sherrins it’s war!
Redb
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:56pm | Report comment
Yep – there was a time where the AFL spoke regarding a notion of FIFA WC at MCG and new Rectangular stadium and AFL at Etihad.
But, I reckon those days have passed now. And all the fault of the FFA who seem to be hoping that the Govts just sign a blank cheque and then become obliged by their own signatures to legislate in favour of FIFA.
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:02pm | Report comment
Conspiracy theory #217
The FFA have deliberately kept the details low key knowing this is a PR minefield for the AFL and the shut down of the MCG and Etihad will cause maximum damage to the AFL (their competitor).
Redb
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:08pm | Report comment
Competitor? A-League v AFL, one with under 10K average & the other averaging 100K & biggest sport in Australia.. What competition?
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:13pm | Report comment
Both you and I know your not that stupid.
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:20pm | Report comment
Wink, wink say no more.
Springs said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:19pm | Report comment
We will lend you some steedens as well.
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:29pm | Report comment
cheers
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 12:59pm | Report comment
Most recent update :
UPDATE 1.15pm: FOOTBALL Federation Australia says it will go into bat for footy, asking for the AFL season to continue if a soccer World Cup is held in Australia.
But FFA CEO Ben Buckley said the Australian bid team did not want that to happen.
“We will be putting to FIFA that we should be able to continue those competitions during the (World Cup),” Buckley told 3AW radio.
“We’ve been in discussions with FIFA as to what constitutes a major event. I think there’s some precedents around the world where competitions like the AFL or the NRL have continued to play during the (World Cup).”
Millster said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:13pm | Report comment
Of course.
It has to happen.
In fact a smart FFA and smart bid team (unless the FIFA prohibition is strict of course) would WANT to include AFL and NRL into the broader cultural package and uniqueness that would bring people to the awesome Aussie World Cup.
Which is why for over a year now my own view has been that these local comps must not stop. But rather that (as I reiterated above) they should consider using the ‘time out’ from the big city grounds to do some clever and properly planned reaching our to regional Australia – targeting both locals and those many many visitors who will ‘go bush’ in between World Cup games.
This does not have to be a win-lose. In fact I think this could be a massive win for all involved. But it will take both goodwill and some creative thinking, and most of all some acceptance that – just for one season – that person who has sat in the same seat in the same section and pissed in that same toilet at the MCG for the last 50 years may be enjoying their footy a little differently just for that one winter. Its those crusted-on supporters that I worry about most in this, the same types who would prefer their clubs to go bankrupt than to move or merge etc etc. You all know the kind…
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
agreed – if only it can happen.
Seeing that the AFL seems more determined TO continue rather than take a break, and – - finally the FFA has come out and said something half way supportive (check Ben Buckley on 3AW) of the other codes (NRL and AFL).
It illustrates finally that the FFA is attempting to gain some flex and or clarification from FIFA.
How successful they are is the question though.
At any rate, this DOES need to be played out in the public domain…..if for no other reason, than, that a FIFA WC bid IS a big deal and we need to go in wide eyed and open minded.
dasilva said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:14pm | Report comment
There you go
Like I said before, FFA don’t even know the details themselves and are working with FIFA hammering it out.
Until FFA gets the complete picture, AFL and AD will continue to be left in the dark about it. No point making false promises to AFL before knowing what is expected of us.
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
I thought there was a soft deadline (mid Dec) on the FFA to get back to FIFA with confirmation that stadiums are sorted for WC games?
The FFA are reacting because they can see the PR battle is being lost.
The bottom line is the AFL season does not work without both the MCG and Etihad. There is no doubt the inclusion of Etihad is a real sticking point as apart from 5-6 games in the middle of the season, the AFL could play most games at the 55,000 seat Etihad.
The MCG would be back by September/October for finals.
Redb
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:51pm | Report comment
there’s the final COAG meeting for the year this week that the state premiers are attending, and I gather they are required to sign off support to the bid and FFA and Fed Govt by this week (dec 10 rings a bell).
I presume that’s an undertaking to meet the costs, and the FFA are able to provide to FIFA that the costings will be underwritten.
Problem of course – presently – is it might be a blank cheque that state govts are required to sign. The Feds have spoken of providing $2 billion, and Jeff Kennett the other day indicated it’s more like $6-8 billion. Where’s the other $4-6 billion coming from??
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
Thanks, I knew a relevant decision has to be made soon. The Vic Govt can hardly sign off if it knows the AFL and the MCG have not been properly consulted.
There is your reason Demetriou spoke out in the vaccum of silence from the FFA. Hmmm…
Redb
dasilva said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:33pm | Report comment
Look
Andrew Demetriou gave out claims that MCG could be locked out for 4 months
Ben Buckley responded that is false that they are still negotiation and at most it would be 2 months and that he has already informed AFL about that.
It seems like either a) there’s been a miscommunication between the two or b) one of them is lying
If ben buckley is telling the truth, then I’m wondering why on earth is Andrew Demetriou is telling the public that MCG could be locked out for 4 months.
I hate to bring out conspiracy theories but that looks dodgy and raises suspicion that AFL is sabotaging the bid.
Perhaps I should just give benefit of doubt that it’s just a miscommunication huh.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:46pm | Report comment
Das
Buckley is talking crap.
If one of the options includes building and disassembling temporary seating worth $130 milllion, plus removing the natural arched slope of the turf, and then rebuilding it again – it makes sense that you are going to get very little change out of 12 weeks, and that 16 weeks is more likely.
The FFA is being deliberately secretive and obfuscating.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:52pm | Report comment
mate – did you listen to Buckley’s interview with Neil Mitchell.
Buckley admitted that they still haven’t worked out from FIFA whether the AFL or NRL can continue or not…..and that it’s still to be discussed over the next weeks/months,
and MItchell asked whether that means that as it stands presently that the AFL/NRL can’t play during the WC in host cities and Buckley admits evasively that’s “one literal interpretation”.
and re the $130 million,
Buckley said that refers to one options that has been identified – but, not necessarily one that they intend to push ahead with,
so, he HAS NOT denied that it is an identified option,
Demetriou DID NOT lie,
and, until anything is confirmed, then – everything is possible.
I’m not sure what you’re quoting to suggest that Demetriou is lying. You can listen to Buckley speaking to Neil Mitchell this morning, for just under 8 minutes.
Demetriou IS telling the truth – - this is one of the proposals.
Given no one yet knows whether FIFA will ‘permit’ the AFL to continue, I can well understand the AFL wanting some answers on this front. AFter all, if Australia hosts in 2018, this falls into consideration with respect to AFL long term planning/budgeting around 2 expansion clubs and potential broadcast rights etc etc.
There is zero reason the AFL should make it easy in the public domain for the FFA and 100% the AFL MUST seek clarification – they would be negligent not to.
AndyRoo said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:02pm | Report comment
I wouldn’t be rushing to Correct Andrew D’s assumptions.
He is carrying on like a port chop fighting shadows which may play well in Melbourne but makes him look like a goose elsewhere.
Tom said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:22pm | Report comment
Hooray. Some common sense.
The FFA have never wanted to take the AFL or the NRL on directly, and they don’t want to now.
By the way, can I point out that before the last world cup in Germany, Bundesliga games were being played right up until the middle of May in the same stadiums that hosted the tournament itself?
So if the Bundesliga stadiums only had to be available from mid May to mid July (eight weeks), why would AFL stadiums have to be available for longer? Does anyone have any source for these 12 week or 16 week timeframes I hear about?
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:00pm | Report comment
Ben Buckley has admitted that the potential lowering of the MCG field to allow for a rectangularisation with temporary seating (cost ~$130 million) is an unlikely option, but, an identified option nonetheless.
Never say never means, that, if and when the AFL hears of the array of options – it’s in the interest of the AFL to push the public/media buttons to ensure that the most ‘AFL friendly’ options are retained on the radar and the ridiculous one’s are put in the bin.
So, this potential 4 months timeframe does exist as one possibility. But, nothing in concrete yet. And that’s half the problem.
Republican said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:01pm | Report comment
JAJI.
We surely do not need to indulge you further in this tired old chestnut of hyperbole, re the ‘actual’ status our indigenous game commands throughout this country?
You know it makes sense!
Cheers from an Australian Footy apostle who hails from the Southern regions of NSW’s Aust Footy hearrtlands where numerous devotees dwell.
Millster said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:21pm | Report comment
I wonder what the world will be like in 2018 and 2022 anyway when we get to this potential World Cup? It strikes me that we are arguing on the current state of the various codes. When in fact it is kids that are in primary school now who will be the main fans of the various sports by the time we get another 9 or 12 years down the track. Hlaf a generation – in some senses not so far away, but in others long enough that we should not assume that things will be the same.
I’m off again now as its very early morning here and I have to get the train to Lyon but cheers to all (even my AFL-crazy buddies) and keep up the good work.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
what the world will be like?? will interantional air travel be affordable? in dollar/fuel consumption/emissions??
re trends heading forward……well……..Soccer crowds are heading down, down, down and AFL and NRL are at best ever levels.
That suggests that the next generation is being groomed.
At any rate – - it’s one thing to say to not assume things will be the same, but, on most trends, you’d say that you’re safer bet is to assume that things will be not too dissimilar…….just not sure where basketball will be???
MyGeneration said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:33pm | Report comment
Can anyone enlighten me re what accommodations there are between South African Rugby and FIFA for next year’s World Cup? Is Rugby having to manage any conflicts with the use of stadiums like Ellis Park, Bloemfontein, and Loftus Versfeld? Has this caused any friction in South Africa in the lead up? At the risk of appearing ignorant, I honestly haven’t heard anything about it. Seems like it might have some relevance here.
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
Rugby have told them most of their stadiums are off bounds.
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/south-africa-world-cup-venues-20091205-kbfk.html
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:42pm | Report comment
Funny the 3 that MyGeneration mentioned are used.
There was no conflict, the FIFA & the Rugby co-existed. This is massive for Sth Africa
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:15pm | Report comment
It’s massive for South Africa becuase they’re a fractured country in need of a single unifying event to help bond the black and white populations together. Lift living standards,etc.
Australia does not need the World Cup, its a wish list item at best.
Redb
M1tch said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:21pm | Report comment
The world cup wont heal South Africa, once corrupt governments arent in charge they stand a chance.
Lazza said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
Most of those stadiums are used for Rugby?
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
Rugby will not be disrupted. Most of the stadiums are not used by Super 14 teams.
Lazza said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
Rugby in SA couldn’t be happier with the World Cup. They are getting their stadiums upgraded and since both are played on rectangular configurations it’s not much of a problem.
The ones grumbling are the majority blacks who are seeing all the benefits going to Rugby and not their sport.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:56pm | Report comment
I remember reading some angst from a British born soccer administrator in RSA that he was unhappy that Rugby would end up the major benificiary of the venues – - as, apart from anything else, they were too big for soccer in RSA.
I had to wonder though – surely the 32 training venues would help cater for grass roots soccer?? I’m less interested in the RSA match venues, and more around the training bases. Is there a link to that list??
Lazza said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:36pm | Report comment
I would of preferred a mutil-purpose stadium in Adelaide that could be reconfigured easily for both Football and Rugby. That was the Liberal partys’ plan. That’s what they should of done with the MCG as well.
At the end of the day only the thing that matters is that we host a great World Cup and if AFL and Cricket are the main winners from that then so be it.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
Lazza
there will be no World Cup – and the AFL and cricket don’t need it.
Lazza said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:01pm | Report comment
Everyone in Adelaide wants a city stadium. AAMI is crap – it’s too far away and the viewing angle is so shallow that you can’t see if you get a tall spectator sitting in front of you.
MyGeneration said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
How much upgrading was actually required? The SA rugby stadiums I’ve seen on TV look pretty big and pretty full.
Jeb said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:26pm | Report comment
Ironically it they are using the worst rugby grounds like loftus versfield and bloemfontain. In Durban and Capetown they’ve built two new stadiums when they had perfectly good and big rugby grounds with heaps of character in Kingsmead and Newlands. They new stadia look ok but may suffer for atmosphere. Soccercity in j’burg where the final is played looks like it’ll go off entirely and looks like a great place.
Cockerill was writing in the smh that the new soccer grounds would be white elephants as rugby wouldn’t use them and they would have no soccer tenants after the cup. He was advocating that Australia’s bid not to make the same mistake and not build soccer only grounds and instead use cricket/afl/league’s. Specifically he was saying how good the revamped adelaide oval looked.
Tom said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:43pm | Report comment
I never understood why Newlands wasn’t being used. Its regarded as one of the best venues in the world.
Republican said | December 7th 2009 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
Lazza
This could be because other codes do not completely satisfy the average punter so they need to suplement their sporting diet with other brands, wheras the indig code is a total sporting feast that requires no supplements whatsoever.
For the record, I follow Swimming, Surfing, Netball and Hockey along with Aust Footy!!!
Cheers
MyGeneration said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:12pm | Report comment
Sounds like you’re heavily on the supplements, then, republican!
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:21pm | Report comment
That is also how I saw it.
Jeb said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
Its hard to believe fifa/the ffa require 3months to fit out a stadium. In the states its common for arenas to change between hockey and basketball within a few hours. Quite impressive if you youtube it.
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:12pm | Report comment
It appears there is a plan to lower the MCG bowl and fit rectangular based seating , probably to make it as FIFA friendly as possible.
Jeb said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:31pm | Report comment
sounds pretty hairbrained to me. Square peg, round hole etc…
i don’t like to say this as I love football and would like nothing more than seeing the world cup here but it doesn’t look like we’re a good fit to stage a good one.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:36pm | Report comment
Jeb
it’s been obvious from day one: England and the US have the infrastructure to host the WC tomorrow- we have bugger all.
Luke W said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:05pm | Report comment
Like I’ve said in the past, if it came down to infrastructure, the World Cup would alternate between America and Europe every four years. Luckily, WC host selection comes down to much more than just stadia. You should realise that most of all Pip, constantly telling us how FIFA is foreign, corrupt and unelected? From all reports, Lowy and co. are greasing all the right wheels at FIFA headquarters, which is much more important than having the best stadiums in the world.
Jeb said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:56pm | Report comment
Luke W – good point. WC selection does come down to more than just stadia, but it seems like it’ll be one of the major sticking points. Especially when Lowy and co say they want to use about 12 stadiums – correct me if I’m wrong.
I think we’ve got to accept that at the last three world cups almost all the stadiums were built anew or significantly upgraded. South Africa is no different and we’d have to go down the same path. Besides for Suncorp and ANZ, the MCG is a given and perhaps the easiest to upgrade. But where are the others? A few more football stadiums amongst the cricket grounds would be nice.
Don’t take this the wrong way as I want the wc here, but I also want the socceroos to get out of their group next year, yet I don’t hold much hope.
Aka said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:25pm | Report comment
This certainly highlights how Melbourne centric the AFL is. A code that promotes itself as being national suggests that it may have to cancel the whole season because it may not be able to use one of it’s grounds for half of the season.
Redb said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:32pm | Report comment
yeah well that’s an easy arrow to sling when it’s not at your cost.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:34pm | Report comment
..but they are willing to horse trade if a $1 billion compensation package can be put together.
Seeing that the Australia is going to benefit to the tune of billions upon billions of dollars (not counting the billions taxpayers will spend on infrastructure), finding a spare billion for the AFL should be a cinch.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
You are very sad Pip. I thought you like football, but you just seem greedy.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
Punter
it’s really not about me.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:48pm | Report comment
You seem to have taken a personal cruscade against something that is very acheiveable.
I love most sports & this is one of the biggest events in the world & you seem so negative. I would love to have the WC in our shores.
Maybe you are just being blinded by a few of the anti-football comments by some of the others on here.
Don’t listen to them, it’s achievable & it will be great once we get it.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:51pm | Report comment
Punter
there’s no way known it’s achievable.
Lazza said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
Pippinu,
Every stadium outside of Melbourne that’s used for AFL or is going to be upgraded has been built with public money. In England the Premier League fund their own stadiums. How difficult would it have been to expand the game if the AFL had to build all those stadiums around the country.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:34pm | Report comment
Lazza -
how much money as the AFL and or WAFC put into Subiaco?
how much money is the AFL putting into Carrara and put into Homebush?
How much has the NRL, FFA and ARU collectively put into the rectangle stadia that are to be used?
At any rate – - this is not about the stadia outside of Melbourne. This is about 3 stadiums in Melbourne, 1 which is a rectangle and 100% publicly owned and seemingly is useless to the equation.
dasilva said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:11pm | Report comment
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/116589,allclear-for-the-bubble-dome.aspx
It seems to me there is no problem in expanding the stadium
The rectangle stadium will be used in the world cup bid and I don’t believe the etihad stadium will be required.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:14pm | Report comment
Ian Collins told them to go jump.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:21pm | Report comment
das
actually – this 442 piece says nothing we didn’t already know:
1. we knew the foundations were ok;
2. but the cost of removing the roof to expand was prohibitive (about half the cost ot the stadium itself)
The building manager simply “hints” that it might be possible to get to 40,000 (which wouldn’t be enough anyway).
Honestly – does anyone on the Australian bid team have a clue about anything?
KB said | December 7th 2009 @ 6:18pm | Report comment
Well it is most likely a blessing in disguise; Melbourne could build another new 50k rectangle stadium that would be fine for Super 15 Rugby, NRL SoO, and the Hears FC and the Bumble stadium could remain for the Storm NRL, and Melb Victory FC both used year round for rectangle football built and paid for by Fed monies the FIFA WC stadia legacy, win, win … How good is that…?
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:34pm | Report comment
If this is true, this is very sad.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:35pm | Report comment
Mate – the AFL still doesn’t know, because the FFA doesn’t know and can’t find out – the AFL still doesn’t know whether it can
A. continue during the WC competition or not within ‘host’ cities
B. how long certain of it’s stadia – with long term binding contracts – that FFA want (with full FIFA demanded exclusivity)
C. if the AFL can continue in host cities……..then why with a new soccer stadium in Melbourne, does the FFA demand BOTH the MCG and Etihad.
Let’s put it back –
it highlights how ill equipped the FFA and Australia is to seek to host such an event. The state of California stand alone would be better placed.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:38pm | Report comment
Of course the FFA knows!
Listen to Buckley on the AW interview again – he is being evasive – he knows it’s the impossible dream but he gets paid $1.5 million per annum for not telling the whole truth too early.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:50pm | Report comment
How usual, more negative comments from you.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:22pm | Report comment
How usual – nothing to offer but negative comment about somebody elses contribution to discussion.
Either post something useful, or don’t post at all.
Otherwise – all you’re doing is inflaming by getting personal about it.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:35pm | Report comment
I believe the world cup in Australia will benifit all Australians, young & old, followers of football and non followers of football.
Why? Beacuse it’s the premier sporting event in the world & the whole world will be watching.
Why? Because it will help build infrastructure in this country.
Why? Because I like most sports & I don’t see why we as football fans can’t have the best football played here.
Sorry I didn’t mean to get personal, but I have read alot of your posts over the last couple of months & you are pretty much very negative in your views about anything apart from AFL. You throw alot of facts around but generally it means absolutely nothing.
Whether one is the most popular sport in the world or the most popular sport in Australia or the least for that matter, it doesn’t matter, everyone has their prefernce & everyboby is entitled to it, but you seem hellbent on telling everyone that AFL is the only sport.
Now so what do you think of Australia’s chances in Sth Africa next year, or how do you think Essendon will go next season or whether the Wallabies will be a Rugby superpower again?
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:38pm | Report comment
Mate – we pot the AFL too, just, when we do, it’s not soccer related and you don’t read it!!
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 5:40pm | Report comment
What, sorry I don’t understand what you mean.
AndyRoo said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:22pm | Report comment
Good point Akka…..ignoring the World Cup bid for a minute.
Say there was a structual problem with the MCG making it unsafe for spectators.
Would that be it, AFL gone for a year? TV contracts unfulfilled players on centrelink….
MC keeps telling us Northerners we need to get on board with ground rationilsation but now I am thankful homebush could dissapear tommorow and the mighty Eels wouldn’t lose a breath.
Luke W said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:46pm | Report comment
Propaganda to take the focus away from the World Cup draw and further ingrain the us vs. them argument. Instead of making stupid comments like this, Demetriou should work out a clever schedule to maximise crowds away from the MCG, and if there is any excess demand for tickets resulting in a loss of funds, the FFA would be more than happy to pay. I’m also sure it would cost a lot less than 1 billion dollars. What a fool.
Midfielder said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:52pm | Report comment
Pip
IMO Asia will get the nod in 2022… who gets picked in Asia .. Austraklia must be fav.
Republican said | December 7th 2009 @ 2:53pm | Report comment
Pip
Your sounding more like me mate. Fire in the belly backs to the wall or what!
Try to harness some of this fervour to fight the good fight v the corporate rationalist agenda that will deny our great footy heartlands their birth right, when the AFL do the dirty on us by gifting the footy philistines of NZ an AFL franchise instead.
Or is that somehow different?
By the way, i agree with you 100% on this!
Cheers
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:03pm | Report comment
Republican
I’m simply stating the obvious (although some people are having trouble seeing it):
1. Calling off the season would require $1 billion in compensation to the AFL;
2. the FFA’s bid is looking sparse, and in truth, quite pathetic.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:10pm | Report comment
Again with this negativism. There is room for all. Noone really believes AD about closing the season down Pip, it’s just him trying to get AFl back into people minds when all weekend people were talking about the WC draw.
Don’t worry mate, the AFL will have little affect.
Luke W said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:16pm | Report comment
1. The AFL season will not shut down for a season.
2. The FFA’s bid is solid, and the bookies agree.
Art Sapphire said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:24pm | Report comment
NEWSFLASH – 40% of Herald Sun readers happy to scrap AFL season for World Cup!!
In what is arguably one of the most hysterical sporting questions ever posed on a news website.
The Herald Sun decided to go the whole hog to really divide opinion.
Would you accept scrapping the AFL season to ensure Australia hosts the soccer World Cup?
Yes 39.37% (463 votes)
No 60.63% (713 votes)
Total votes: 1176
You gotta laugh
Eamonn Flanagan said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:40pm | Report comment
Never mind the World Cup…if we got it we have the Confederations Cup the year before.
So get squealing on that one MC/Redb and co…don’t suppose you want that either.
FFA has told AFL that stadiums are required for 6-8 weeks…so Dim-eteriou is saying the season must be cancelled is just AD being his usual fearmongering self. And MC you buy it hook line and sinker.
We can have the World Cup and the AFL season, how hard is it, AFL only goes for 21 season games…with 52 weeks in the year the hard men of Australian sport will be delighted with a break and come back fitter and faster for the second half. Might mean teams play full bore for the 21 games instead of tanking around for half a season. Why the team that wins the first half could even get a place in the 8 automatically.
bit of vision boys…now don’t forget the Confeds Cup..should we stop AFL for that as well…but of course MC and Redb you are on top of all this aren’t you:)
AndyRoo said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:44pm | Report comment
They could also start really early and play in summer, that would give them a chance to crack that GWS and Gold Coast market before the big boys start up.
AndyRoo said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:45pm | Report comment
Don’t be so harsh on yourself Pip, I have seen worse
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:41pm | Report comment
But there has been a general ramping up of what hosting the WC would mean: from 4 weeks, to 8 weeks (need to clear things up 4 weeks in advance), to 10 weeks (might need to clean it up 2 weeks after the event), to 12 weeks (add another 2 weeks for good measure); to 16 to 20 weeks (need to build and disassemble temporary seating costing $130 million).
Oh – and another thing – we might need to dig a massive hole within the MCG and then rebuild the turf back up again – would you kindly accept another six weeks for that??
26 weeks – certainly!! (here are our bank details to drop off that $1 billion cheque….)
Luke W said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:47pm | Report comment
Ignorant post. Ben Buckley has already squashed those rumours and confirmed the FFA would only need the MCG for six two eight weeks – eight if the MCG hosts the final, six if ANZ does.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:51pm | Report comment
Have you listened to the interview Buckley did with AW – he was completely evasive – becuause he knows it will be for far more than 8 weeks.
The FFA has been deliberatively sercretive and obfuscating.
There should be an audit of the Australian bid forthwith by government auditors.
AndyRoo said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:55pm | Report comment
It’s negotiations Pip. Remember the start when you and Redb were preparing to blow up FFA HQ. RedB was only willing to accept 2 weeks at the most.
This is getting you all worked up so that when it comes to the crunch (which is just 6 weeks without the G, Adelaide Oval and the New WA ground) sounds fine.
Smiles all round.
Etihad will be used in the bid paper but not actually used come the World Cup, their will be a group hosted in NZ instead.
Luke W said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:04pm | Report comment
Obfuscating? That’s a new one to me!
Buckley has been vague, but that’s because the details haven’t fully been worked out yet. The only thing we know so far is that ANZ stadium will be the host of the potential final.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:17pm | Report comment
He’s vague because he knows the truth – he’s just too slimey and gutless to say it out loud.
Macs.football said | December 8th 2009 @ 9:54am | Report comment
Buckley – gutless, he’s not the one on the internet under a username saying the AFL should be given $ 1 billion dollars and that Australia is never going to host the World Cup.
Luke W said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:49pm | Report comment
This whole story is just the AFL acting like a petulant child who doesn’t get everything the way it wants. Hopefully the FFA doesn’t pay any attention to this, because that’s all the AFL are trying to do.
Lazza said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:53pm | Report comment
Chill out people – it’s all meaningless anyway since the World is going to end in 2012. I just saw the movie.
Art Sapphire said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:58pm | Report comment
Herald Sun Online Question – Will the World end before Australia hosts the World Cup in 2022?
Yes – 549
No – 458
Total – 1007 votes
keeper11 said | December 7th 2009 @ 3:57pm | Report comment
NEWSFLASH – 40% of Herald Sun readers happy to scrap AFL season for World Cup!!
In what is arguably one of the most hysterical sporting questions ever posed on a news website.
The Herald Sun decided to go the whole hog to really divide opinion.
Would you accept scrapping the AFL season to ensure Australia hosts the soccer World Cup?
Yes 39.37% (463 votes)
No 60.63% (713 votes)
Total votes: 1176
You gotta laugh
Australia’s cretinous, reactionary tabloid media circa 2009 at its best..
Why didn’t they just go the whole hog …and just instruct what ” real ‘ australians are ’supposed’ to answer ..i.e.
‘ D’ya want that un-australian foreign game full of divers and p**ftas taking over our own great true blue aussie game…
well d’ya d’ya ?? ‘
,:
Freud of Football said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
After the farce surrounding the Adelaide Oval, I hope the AFL do get inconvenienced, Demetriou needs a reminder that he’s not god and that AFL as a nothing sport at a global level.
Maybe the FIFA fatcats will put him back in his box.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:23pm | Report comment
Maybe vice versa – afterall who’s FIFA? A bunch of foreign, unelected, corrupt officials?
Geez – we should really drop our dacks for a mob like that!!
AndyRoo said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:24pm | Report comment
I dont think Freud got to vote for Andy D either.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:36pm | Report comment
There is no doubt in my mind AD has overeacted. I’m starting to dislike this guy.
Was he the one the popped the champange when Australia missed out of the WC, how un-Australian.
Pip you too are acting very un-Australian in your stance against the WC, abit like that MC guy. Disappointing.
Springs said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:39pm | Report comment
What exactly is your definition of un-Australian?
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:49pm | Report comment
DO NOT bring this un-Australian garbage to this table.
YOu’re doing your best to make this personal rather than sticking to the nuts and bolts of the debate.
AndyRoo said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:53pm | Report comment
Conversation had allready degenerated
A quote just a few cm’s above “A bunch of foreign, unelected, corrupt officials”
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:55pm | Report comment
Yep – but, that’s regarding FIFA and Sepp Blatter isn’t it…….how’s that at all off the mark???? Just as with the IOC, I thought it was commonly accepted that that’s the case.
AndyRoo said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:57pm | Report comment
You start throwing the word foreign around like it’s an insult and you will get some back.
If you don’t want a kick in the nuts then dont throw a punch
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 5:08pm | Report comment
AndyRoo
many are of the view that FIFA has the right to waltz in and enforce whatever they want over and above local authorities – and it’s worthwhile reminding people that they do not have that power.
They are unelected and foreign – so they have no sway over our local legislature – and furthermore, being as corrupt as all hell, they hold zero moral authority.
AndyRoo said | December 7th 2009 @ 6:02pm | Report comment
fifa don’t enforce anything, if you want to host their show you abide by the rules, dont like the rules dont bid for the show.
Now this is where the unaustralian claim has merit, we are complaining about nothing. nothing of substance has been said, nothing has been signed of on its just hot air and empty rhetoric. Calling off the AFL for a season what a wank, it’s not going to happen it’s just grand standing and making a goose of yourself. Might look good on North korean TV but here it just makes him look like a cry baby.
Pip if the FFA give away concessions never seen before (such as no AFL or NRL while the World Cup is on) or that the are really going to try and spend 130m too make the MCG a rectangle, or they start legislating against the other codes then I would man up and say the World Cup bid is flawed beyond belief. But so far that’s just scare mongering.
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 6:10pm | Report comment
Well put Andyroo, just because football fans want to hold the greatest event in our sport and the greatest players on show in our shores, all of a sudden it’s us allowing FIFA waltz in & take enforce whatever.
I don’t care if FIFA is unelected or foreign or even corrupt, I want the Football world cup in Australia because I want to watch football at it’s highest level in this country. Why can’t you understand that Pip.
Springs said | December 7th 2009 @ 6:14pm | Report comment
Complaining about nothing? Recent sports events make it feel like that isn’t un-Australian at all.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:06pm | Report comment
btw – I never mentioned ‘foreign’ in the first place,
nor did I bring ‘un-Australian’ into the discussion.
That’s pretty base level blogging for people to crap on about ‘un-Australian’, it’s annoying and over emotionalises the issue.
Demetriou simply pointed out – that whilst nothing is known, then, these possibilities remain. Buckley has not been able to deny that these possibilities remain.
Simple.
It could still all go rrrrr’s up.
AndyRoo said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:42pm | Report comment
The FFA have been copping it unfairly when there is nothing in Black and white…The AFL crowd are throwing stones when nothing has been asked of them yet.
If people are going to keep bagging the FFA, Football in australia, lowy and Fifa for absolutley zero reason (saw Buckley on TV just 10 mins ago confirming 8 weeks absolute max and very confident AFL can play through) then i would say the level of blogging was the pits already.
Such baseless posts if aimed at the AFL would cop all barrels and rightly so.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 5:42pm | Report comment
I don’t mean to make it personal. I just don’t understand your aggressive stance aganinst a sport you don’t like. It’s just a sport.
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 6:16pm | Report comment
AD is not sticking to nuts & bolts. If the AFLare forced to take off the whole season. I too like AndyRoo will think our bid is flawed. But this guy is just not playing the game but the man MC.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:53pm | Report comment
btw – please justify your position of having ‘no doubt’.
BEcause, as Buckley has admitted :
he still doesn’t know whether the AFL/NRL will be sought by FIFA to be excluded during the event,
and he still doesn’t know how long they will need the MCG and can’t rule out the $130 million rectangularisation……and thus, a seemingly worst case scenario of 4 months.
How is Demetriou over reacting to seek clarification?? Even if personally, with his European heritage – he might love to see the event here – in his professional role, he has a job to do.
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 5:07pm | Report comment
M.C read my post below, and tell me Demetriou is shite scared of what this bid will do to the AFL, its new teams and AFL’s exsistance in Melbourne Aderlaide and even Perth. The Beast gobbles everything up in its path, even Rugby Union bows to the Beast.
Yippee.
Oh look, we now have 80 thousand white elephants to play our 10 thousand crowd game in.
Have alook at next year, the Beast will amaze you. Football by then will be pushing massive goals in this country anyhow. Its coming brother, i said it was coming.
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 6:04pm | Report comment
How is he overeacting? He doesn’t know the facts & is telling everyone that the whole AFL season needs to be closed.
If he aint overeacting I don’t know what is.
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:53pm | Report comment
Punter, not to spare, us rugby league folk are true aussies.
Hahaha, and kiwis, hahaha, we will back the beast. Love the Beast.
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 4:51pm | Report comment
The Beast, yes M.C and you thought it was rugby league,
No my friend, it has been lurking in your backyard and also lurks where ever you plan to expand. The Beast has already illfatrated your Area, and is taking over the (Hearts) and Minds of your Ethnic community, and wont stop until (Victory) is theirs to hang out a carkuss or 2. Its already their in GWS, and has been their sleeping for decades, amounst the rugby league faithfull. It sleeps and it grows my good man, it penatrates deep into the undergrow, forever building its (arsenal)..
Now talking about what it really means, a world cup win in 2022, not only will it devour AFL with global presense, it also steals away any juniors between now and then. So GWS and GC are doomed before they start. Ask a kid if he wants to be part of the global millions, hundred of millions, or play oz-kick.
Now we are getting into the nitty gritty, not only do Hearts and Victory take center stage, they grow into minds of this generation, and being ethnic, that growth is outstanding, to say the least. Now, as for rugby league, like we have always done, just feed off any scraps left over, and thrive.
Like i said earlier M.C, Redb, your on your own, this is one league puppy who knows how to hybinate when the Beast comes Knock, Knock, Knocking on your door,. 1 billion compo for AFL, probably give you that for all the juniors they are getting in Melbourne, the Beast, now you know what you are really up against. 1.5 million fans, just on tour, 5 million to all games over 8 weeks, and 6 billion t/v audience collectively over that period.
You wont like the Beast if you make it angry.
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 5:30pm | Report comment
Hold the phone everyone. ????? We have another breaking headline coming out of Perth. ?????? Nice work Demetriou, nice work son. Break one story to cover up the main story. ?????? nice work son. Drugs has raised its ugly head again, this time traffic-ing. Gallons of it, bucket loads all being pumped into our backyards. No,No, no no no,.The blite of society, Crank baby.
Compensation = $1 billion + said | December 7th 2009 @ 5:36pm | Report comment
Interesting to note that the 100th ANZAC Day falls smack bang on April 25, 2018.
What – should the AFL be forced (and the NRL and their ANZAC Match as well) be forced to vacate the MCG on what would be the ANZAC Day Centenary Match?
That would be an utter disgrace.
oikee said | December 7th 2009 @ 5:39pm | Report comment
Rugby league Anzac day can be played in NZ. Maybe the AFL game could also be played at Eden park, NZ.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 5:45pm | Report comment
No this won’t be the case. It’s just that AD stirring up the masses.
AndyRoo said | December 7th 2009 @ 6:14pm | Report comment
You should work for News Limited
“Diggers thrown out of G by foreigners”
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 6:41pm | Report comment
NO ANZAC DAy marches during the WC year.
Millster said | December 7th 2009 @ 7:06pm | Report comment
Your lack of creativity astounds me. Play it in Turkey. Or play it in Auckland (in honour of the NZ part of the ANZACS). Or play it at Uluru.
Remember also that the ‘ANZAC game’ is only a recently manufactured bit of marketing hype for the AFL so lets not get too precious about it.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 7:38pm | Report comment
the equation is straightforward: $1 billion in compensation PLUS renovatoins to ovals in Adelaide, Perth, Sydney and the Gold Coast – afterall – it’s all about the national interest – everyone’s a winner!!
Midfielder said | December 7th 2009 @ 7:43pm | Report comment
Pip
You forgot to add half of Tassie as well.
bever fever said | December 7th 2009 @ 6:05pm | Report comment
Show us the money, upgrade our stadiums and then leave and please FIFA dont forget your genuine goanna hand bags or whatever bribes you boys take, the bottle opener made with the kangaroo balls is a good one.
AndyRoo said | December 7th 2009 @ 6:11pm | Report comment
Now that’s an Australian attitude
Am I assuming Bevers on board for the low low price of one world class stadium in WA suitable for AFL games?
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 6:42pm | Report comment
PLus $1 billion compensation.
Tifosi said | December 7th 2009 @ 6:33pm | Report comment
What is it about Andrew Demetriou? he always seems cranky and does the guy ever smile?
Maybe he is upset because his former underling gets to travel the world to some beautiful and exotic places whilst he gets to go to……. well Adelaide!!
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 6:35pm | Report comment
I think Buckley’s doing a great job.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 7:57pm | Report comment
Demetriou DOES smile and laugh – - and make fun of himself, but – unless you watch the Brownlow telecast or tune into 774 ABC Melbourne on Friday mornings (Red Symons hosting, will talk footy/nags and wrestling with AD and Peter ‘Crackers’ Keenan) – - then you’ll probably miss that side of him.
Tifosi said | December 7th 2009 @ 6:48pm | Report comment
Pip you really need to give this compo things a rest.
Its not happening and you know why?
Rudd will tell Brumby in no uncertain terms to tow his line and make sure the AFL sit down and obey by the rules.
But its a non issue as you and i know Australia wont be getting the cup.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 7:30pm | Report comment
The AFL listen to Rudd??
The AFL doesn’t go to Government – it’s the other way round.
Millster said | December 7th 2009 @ 6:58pm | Report comment
I’ve now got off the train and its morning tea time so I thought I’d check in one last time. And I wish I hadn’t I have to say.
Australia is bidding for what would be in the absolutely highest ranks of its achievements in the whole of history; something that would elevate the nation to the world.
The fact that this is not seen as being a universally positive albeit challenging thing is something that genuinely saddens me. And that’s not even getting to the actual reason for the objections which is a code so small, so insular, so un-locked into any broader agenda or structure that in reality it can be moved to anyplace and anytime with no impact on anyone at all – in fact 99.99% of the world would not even notice.
The stupid thing too is that if AFL played its cards right it would get benefit far beyond the $1bn that certain cretins seem to be bandying around in this debate. But oh no lets not think either creatively or globally. And lets certainly not think with a win-win perspective. If it disturbs our parochial little traditions then it must be evil.
Sad stuff guys, sad stuff.
[By the way, I agree with Tifosi and others that the chance of Australia getting the Cup is very very low. But I still feel passionately about this for the broader issue of objecting to the way that there are always so many 'nay-sayers' to big ambitious ideas, and that most of the resistance is just based on a fear of a bit of change or disturbance to old patterns however sillthey may be]
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 7:36pm | Report comment
Millster
Agreed – the AFL is miniscule – so let the FFA do it on its own – let the Feds put in $4 billion to get back $6 billion – it’s a no brainer!!
Just leave the AFL right out of it – why are they even mentioned????
Otherwise – the equation is straightforward: $1 billion in compensation PLUS renovatoins to ovals in Adelaide, Perth, Sydney and the Gold Coast – afterall – it’s all about the national interest – everyone’s a winner!!
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 7:42pm | Report comment
I would have thought the creation of the Great Australian game was Australia’s greatest gift to the World – pretty hard to surpass that.
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 7:45pm | Report comment
Now we are really dragging the bottom of the barrell.
Millster said | December 7th 2009 @ 7:53pm | Report comment
I’d bite but I know you’re pulling my leg
As for your previous post AFL are mentioned beacuse for one of their meaningless seasons out of 150 they might have to be disturbed just a bit for something the world actually cares about.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:16pm | Report comment
But my point is – forget about the AFL – go grab the World Cup – Rudd will come to the party – the AFL need never be mentioned again!!
There are sufficient venues in NSW and Queensland to make it work.
Midfielder said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:04pm | Report comment
Milly
Where are you … keep us informed …
I think you know the real reason … if and I agree a big if .. but if we won the 2022 bid… which I think we will BTW see latter it will forever change Australian sport…
Without doubt Football is the best spread sport around the country, beyond that we have numerous platforms to launch from… but most importantly by 2022 the media as we know it today will have changed … meaning the WC and the various national teams will be much more in the news… Don’t forget we will win the rights to broadcast the 2015 Asian Cup and I believe a Womens World Cup as well…
Milly & Tifosi … 2018 Europe & 2022 Asia or the US .. seen the size of the Asia TV audience and other sports are investing heavily into Asia… Football is King but not like Europe South Amercia… which team in Asia me thinks Australia..
Pip the AFL in the southern states is so well established and the king especially in Melbourne nothing will ever challenge AFL at a domestic level …. their crowds the worlds best .. massive media deals .. that the AFL close down it’s competition for 10 weeks or whatever is never going to happen… does the basketball, baseball etc close down in the states… you are jumping at shadows no one has said anything yet …
Millster said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:43pm | Report comment
Middie – today in Lyon for work. Based in Paris for ~24mths, moved here in Oct.
BigAl said | December 7th 2009 @ 7:39pm | Report comment
. . . ‘ Australia is bidding for what would be in the absolutely highest ranks of its achievements in the whole of history; something that would elevate the nation to the world….’
Ha hahhh ! – ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. . .
. . .oh my god please help me ! . . .Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha . . . .
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha -oh please . . no no !
Ha hah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha . . . . …….
.
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 7:43pm | Report comment
Must be funny BigAl, can you please share the joke with me.
Millster said | December 7th 2009 @ 7:54pm | Report comment
Not such an elegant rebuttal…. what do you propose we have done or will do to match?
BigAl said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:08pm | Report comment
I’m sorry – I feel a bit better now . . . Hah ha ha . . . …
BigAl said | December 8th 2009 @ 5:04am | Report comment
ok, I’ve had a good nights sleep now, so I’ll try to give you an elegant rebuttal – if that’s what you’re after.
Your comment was a classicly hilarious example of Gallic pomposity ! – a true gem of the genre.
– Charles de Gaulle would have been proud of you !.
matty1974 said | December 7th 2009 @ 7:58pm | Report comment
Just when I thought that the fear mongering and hysteria could not get worse, we see the ridiculous bile in this thread.
Oz will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. To the doubters, please tell me which of the competing non European bids is more inviting to FIFA?
1. Qatar, with an average June/July temperature of 40 degrees plus, a population the size of Adelaide and concerns about security in the middle east and non Fifa friendly attitudes to women and consumption of alcohol.
2.Indonesia, with MAJOR security issues, very little existing infrastructure or experience in hosting international events anywhere near the scale of a FIFA world cup.
3. Japan, who have hosted a world cup only 7 years ago.
4. Korea, as above.
5. USA, who have hosted as recently as 1994 and who crucially are not in the Asian time zone. A 2022 WC in the USA will mean that 5 consecutive WC’s will have been played in time zones other than the second most important after Europe. The whole reason for awarding both cups at the same time is to maximize the TV revenue.
6. Australia, a country in the Asian time zone, with significant experience in hosting major international events, whose government is firmly behind the bid, who is a nation of sports lovers (not withstanding some of the individuals on this thread), who is able to provide a ‘no worries’ world cup and have several venues already built and plans and funding (behind the scenes and not yet publicly available) for the remainder.
I’m sure that we will see a billion similar articles and examples of fear mongering right up to the opening game of the 2022 world cup. And afterwards AFL and NRL and all other sports will go on, as they have for many years.
So stop worrying, get on board and Come Play!
http://www.australia2018-2022.com.au/
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:39pm | Report comment
so – if you reckon FIFA is attracted to Australia…..well….let them ruddy well earn it.
btw – we are all sports lovers…..I didn’t know that meant I had to follow/love soccer. I’ve already got my football fill, with Australian Football.
Now tell me – and other AFL folk – just what the FFA knows and can commit to on the following:
A. can the AFL and NRL operate in host cities
B. what venues are required and for how long
—— for matches
—— for training bases
—— for ’simple training venues’
C. how will the FFA/FIFA make it worth the while of the AFL to vacate Docklands AND the MCG
D. if the MCG is too big and has too much camber…..why does the FFA want it? after all, it’s a football oval, not a soccer pitch.
Tifosi said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:06pm | Report comment
NRL seem upset about having to move State of origin. Seems like they cant move it from june. Gallop must not know how to shift games to end/start of the season.
Tifosi said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:09pm | Report comment
Seems North Melbourne has been asked to shift from their training base
Scott revealed that under the terms of the World Cup bid, North Melbourne would be required to hand over its newly-built facility at Arden Street to FIFA for up to two months for the exclusive use of one of the national teams based in Melbourne.
Art Sapphire said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:18pm | Report comment
Pip – you have really let yourself down in this thread. For someone who takes the time to write about the WC groups and football in general, its pretty disappointing. What happened to your critical faculties.
You have swallowed the AFL spin, hook, line and sinker and you come out with some of your credibility taking a hit.
“World Cup threat to AFL season!! Imminent extinction of AFL clubs due to World Cup!!”
Believing this nonsense is like believing the Iraqi Minister of Information during the Iraqi invasion.
If you had been funny about it, you could have been somewhat forgiven but your Billion Dollar Compo rants are pretty lame.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:24pm | Report comment
Hang on – respect that Pip has a foot in both camps and is better positioned to have a view on this than probably 95% of the soccer posters on this thread under the AFL tab.
Pip hasn’t let himself down, it’s the people who seem only wanting to NOT consider his position intelligently,
and for swallowing things hook line and sinker, take an introspective look – - rather than rubbishing Pip who puts more time and effort into his posts and articles than most others on theRoar. The soccer folk have gone on labelling Demetriou a liar and claiming Buckley had squashed the story…..when the absolute opposite is the truth. Soccer folk are the one’s seemingly incapable of delving a little, doing a bit of research, perhaps listening to the Demetriou and Buckley radio interviews from today.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:31pm | Report comment
Correct – listen to both interviews ( i have) and it’s pretty obvious who is the devious liar and who is being truthful to the Australian people.
AndyRoo said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:47pm | Report comment
Maybe he doesn’t sound as immpresive because he isn’t going off half cocked and talking out his rear.
Instead he is putting together a bid for a world cup that involves bringing alot of different components together and until its set or you have the green light you can’t promise anything.
Anyway Pip, I guess we will just have to wait for the Bulldogs to get Shafted for the entrance of a 3rd Sydney team before you come on board.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:27pm | Report comment
Art
do you honestly believe the AFL can run its season without the MCG?
If you do, you don’t know too much about the footy business.
The AFL is a $1 billion per annum industry – and if they miss their season – somenone quite rightly has to compensate them.
Also – this isn’t about me – it’s about the facts and figures presented to date.
Absolutely no one is going through those facts and figures on this thread, instead we get:
1. insular Melburnians
2. doing something to put us on the World stage
3. Demetriou the spoiled brat
etc etc
But who is looking at the facts and figures on this thread? Are you?
Art Sapphire said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:49pm | Report comment
Well, it seem you aren’t looking either Pip.
The MCG won’t be reconfigured for the World Cup and it won’t be out of operation for 16 weeks.
You swallowed Andy’s spin pretty good, he would have had you believe that there were WMDs in Iraq.
So if you want facts and figures why don’t you start with yourself.
Or is it too late – have you become an uncritical supporter of the AFL Hyperbolic PR Machine?
It was painful being a Melburnian today.
Code wars are pretty annoying at the best of times.
Today it was ridiculous. Thanks for contributing to it today Pip.
You know a WC is not possible in this country without the other codes being accommodated. So why don’t you say straight out that even though you are a big fan of the WC, you don’t want it held in the country you live in.
Just say it, you’ll feel better.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:10pm | Report comment
Art
I’d be quite happy for it to be held over January – that would be a fantastic time to have a world cup in Australia.
And wouldn’t the Europeans love to escape their cold homes at that time of year?
Art Sapphire said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:40pm | Report comment
C’mon Pip. As an educated WC watcher thats a pretty silly response.
Just say it – “I Pippinu, WC lover, do not want the WC in Australia because it played in June/July”
What’s going to happen when we win the bid – Are you going to boycott the WC??
You won’t be able to keep yourself away.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:42pm | Report comment
I’d still much prefer to have it in January.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:44pm | Report comment
This is the same man who wrote a good analysis on the Group A teams in next years WC.
Is fear mongeling overshadowing his love of the game.
I feel sorry for you Art in Melbourne, it’s been little news of it in Sydney, but nothing really, most people don’t know who he is AD.
Art Sapphire said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:07pm | Report comment
Yes Punter, today has been a pain. I just noticed that Sydney based FourFourTwo did not put out a related story until 21.39pm. Considering how big the story was in Melbourne, for a football site they certainly missed the boat. But, then again, in hindsight, I would have been glad to have been oblivious to this story.
Macs.football said | December 8th 2009 @ 3:42pm | Report comment
It’s still painful being a Melburnian today.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:20pm | Report comment
People need to keep mindful that in Melbourne, the AFL has a binding contract with Docklands stadium over a 25 year period until 2025.
The AFL has a binding contract with the MCG until 2037.
each of these are contracts of exclusivity,
and yet, the AFL has always allowed soccer and rugby matches to be squeezed in.
However, re the FIFA WC, as it currently stands – and the FFA has stated they want Docklands and the MCG – the FFA MUST go through the AFL and NOT the venues.
The interesting thing out of all this today, is the AFL has indicated one extreme outcome on the side of FIFA being hard line and the AFL bending to their every demand,
this won’t happen -
what’s the other extreme?? the AFL stand fast on Docklands and the MCG. Govts get involved on behalf of the huge foreign multi-national to steam roll the little Aussie battler……gosh….how ‘un-Australian’ that would be!!!!
And, presumably, we’ll get something in the middle.
I just don’t see how anyone can blame the AFL for getting a tad bit annoyed that they are getting nothing from the FFA – - except what amounts to ‘trust us’ (‘no worries, she’ll be apps’). The AFL is too well run an organisation to ‘trust’ them.
This ‘fear mongering’ is hardly that – - – the people able to squash it are the FFA. But, they can’t – - because, they don’t know. Thus – the ‘fear mongering’ is validated.
Simple.
If you can’t rule it out, and you aren’t the ultimate decision maker…..then, the FFA CAN NOT be just ‘trusted’. Simple.
and the bid…is flawed…and if it falls over, it’s not the AFL’s fault, because, it is NOT the AFL’s or NRL’s bid.
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:43pm | Report comment
Michael C, the sky is falling down, it’s not AFL’s fault, the bid is flawed, the FFA can’t be trusted, FIFA are run by foreigners & they will corrupt our Australian way of life.
Quick run for the hills.
But in reality is we as football fans want to see the best footballers in the world play in the best tournaments in the world.
Imgaine in 20 -30 years time as AFL grows in China, Sth Africa & Denmark, these countries not allowing the best AFL players in the world to play a tournament, how silly, but this is what you are saying.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:11pm | Report comment
Robbos -
“But in reality is we as football fans want to see the best footballers in the world play in the best tournaments in the world.”
Yeah……so what?? You’ve got your tele.
Why should I care….you haven’t answered my questions. As a football fan, I’ve got the best footballers in the world playing the best football league in the world on my doorstep. Brilliant. You build your league. Don’t go interrupting mine. Give me some answers. Not rhetoric.
If and when AFL takes off seriously anywhere – I doubt I’ll be around to see it. I don’t really care – - it’s much more fun/romantic in an intimate setting…..Australian Football overseas.
Robbos said | December 8th 2009 @ 6:02pm | Report comment
Michael C,
You haven’t asked any questions for me to answer.
You just come up with the same old ‘My sport is better than yours’ line.
Of course it is, but it’s only an opinion, yours.
Now that we have moved on from that.
Yes I would like to have the A-League as big as the AFL in this country, but it s not. I accept that.
That does not worry me, I have my A-League, which I’m happy with following my Sydney FC.
I hope one day it will as big as AFL one day, but maybe I won’t be around for, but for now I am happy that I see my local team play in my favourite sport every weekend in my country.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:22pm | Report comment
This is the radio interview with Demetriou on AW today:
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/world-cup-threat-for-afl-20091207-kdhh.html
What he says, and Buckley has confirmed this, is that one of the options put forward for the MCG is to pretty much scoop out the whole interior of the oval and flatten it out.
He quite rightly says that work on that would have to start in early April, the cup is in early June, and then there’d be a further 6 to 8 weeks to bring the whole MCG back to its original state.
That’s the MCG out for the whole AFL season.
Of 7 million patrons that attend AFL games during the season (more than every other sport in Australia combined, plus some), about 3 milllion watch games at the MCG.
So effectively the AFL season could not operate.
That’s $1 billion compensation package – and don’t worry – that’s just for starters.
NOthing could make me a prouder Australian than to see the AFL stand up to a bunch of corrupt, unelected foreigners and say: you can stick your cup up y’er ar$e!!
If the AFL isn’t going to stand up for the Australian way of life – who is??!!
Robbos said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:47pm | Report comment
‘If the AFL isn’t going to stand up for the Australian way of life’
‘the Great Australian game was Australia’s greatest gift to the World’
Some of your best Pip.
Truly amazing for a sport to represent a country like Australia, where more than half the population has at best, lukewarm interest in it. Truly delusional….
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:13pm | Report comment
Wow, stand up for Australian way of life???
I don’t mind the AFL, but Australian way of life? Not where I live.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:17pm | Report comment
Punter
Each year over 7 million Australians watch an AFL game – more than twice all other sports combined, plus some – so that seems to represent an important part of the Australian way of life.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:21pm | Report comment
Yes very impressive figures Pip, as you may have gathered I don’t live in an AFL state & I assure you, it’s (AFL) not a way of life for many Australians I know.
No doubt it’s the No 1 game in Australia & well adminstrated, but it’s not the Australian way of life to half our population.
Millster said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:53pm | Report comment
Pip I do sincerely hope you are having a lend when you write this ‘great Australian game’ rubbish… you should know it is one of the most irritating things here and a major part of what has reduced me to only a very occasional contributor.
Le me tell you:
1. When I lived in Sydney AFL was largely irrelevent, at best one of many passtimes that people could choose between.
2. Now that I live in France AFL is totally unknown except to the kinds of Aussie expats that bring down the reputation of the country..
There is nothing great, and nothing holistically Australian, about a Melbourne suburban game with a few interstate off-shoots.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:57pm | Report comment
…instead we should drop our dacks to a bunch of foreign, corrupt, unelected officials.
Tifosi said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:34pm | Report comment
Pip there are certain ways to look at it.
1. People around the world would probably laugh when you tell them that you would rather a domestic competition than a fifa world cup. That you would forgoe all the benefits associated with it. I think people will scratch their heads and go why?
The days of being isolated from the rest of the world are over. You have to understand the world isnt connected by telegrams anymore.
Michael C
Ive just sent off an article which you would like. Hopefully it gets published.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:01pm | Report comment
Isn’t it wonderful that one country in the world (well, two or three to be honest) doesn’t fall over itself in the presence of corrupt FIFA officials.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:08pm | Report comment
It’s a simple fact Pip. The World cup is a great sporting event. Australia loves sport, it makes sense.
Forget about FIFA, if you look closely all major corporations including AFL they are all corrupt (IE their push into the Western Sydney, when noone wants it), don’t let this may your deciding factor of not allowing the greatest show on earth into our shores.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:12pm | Report comment
Punter
I just mentoined to Art that January would be a fantastic time of year to hold a world cup in Australia.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:18pm | Report comment
Now you’re being silly Pip.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:20pm | Report comment
You don’t reckon January would be heaps better than June?
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:24pm | Report comment
No it’s always traditionally been in June, you can’t break tradition.
Leslie, London said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:45pm | Report comment
Pippinu,what say you…
If FIFA award the WC to Australia and you don’t see a penny of the 1bn you keep begging for, and more importantly Victoria doesn’t get to host even a single match? That would suit you yeah? You get to play every single AFL game at the MCG in 2018 or 2022 no disruptions at all BUT Victoria loses out big time – could you live with that?
The reason I ask is because I hear it’s an option being considered (by FIFA not FFA) after AFL’s precious outcry today… think long and hard before you answer. Can you imagine how Victorians would feel during the tournament knowing not a single world class football match is being played in their state? Melbourne the sporting capitol of the world in ‘09 to sporting Nobody in 10yrs. What a great way to introduce AFL to the world, fat chance winning new fans and expanding the code beyond Australian shores. Keep up the hysterics AFL, keep it up because your approach to Australia’s bid can potentially ruin Melbourne’s prestige on the world stage, in more ways than one..
If you think this proposition is impossible, then you would be wrong. One thing nations vying to host a WC must never do is underestimate the political power, will and strength and reach of FIFA. I’m sure FFA officials understand the magnitude of their influence and reach. I’m betting the AFL will discover it’s bitten off more than it can chew by taking on FIFA and will be toeing the line soon enough – as disappointing an outcome this may be to many in this forum. As a foreigner looking in on this conversation I can only say if the antagonism and fear shown here is reflective of many peoples across all Australia and not only Victoria, it bodes very well for England’s bid in 2018.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:04pm | Report comment
“Victoria loses out big time ”
but would it???
The AFL and the MCG AFL season is potentially a bigger economy than the FIFA WC cup for 3 or 4 weeks in Melbourne – - certainly the costs are lesser and the outcomes are greater…..because, FIFA don’t control the ticketing and hospitality etc etc.
Serious question.
Do the maths.
Last 3 years MCG business from the AFL:
2007 – 50 matches – 2.536 million attendees
2008 – 53 matches – 2.8 million
2009 – 53 matches – 2.8 million
Docklands has had 46/47 matches each year for 1.7 million plus each year,
100 matches at the 2 veneus for around 4.5 million attendees,
that’s a huge and efficient business that the FFA is seeking to displace for around 6-8 weeks.
Basically, the rest of the Australia seems to be coveting a Melbourne AFL season to share around the country…..but,….still have to channel profits off shore to FIFA.
So – - perhaps, just perhaps, Victoria is better off just as it is.
Oh, sporting backwater in your eyes perhaps, but, if FIFA is unwilling to compromise, and seeking to control absolutely – - – then, that’s one global empire best off not being part of.
And we freely speculate the reason the FFA can’t answer the AFL questions….and the reason the messages coming from the FFA seem to incrementally worsen for AFL and NRL is that the FFA aren’t running this (we know that), and that they don’t have the balls to put this to FIFA. Because, really – - do you reckon Ben Buckley and Frank Lowy have gone to FIFA and said, listen, gives us the cup but we’ve got the NRL and AFL that are ahead of us domestically and y’know…we need to make some concessions.
The FFA won’t do it. And if they don’t have the guts to stand up for Australia and Australians, then the FFA don’t warrant running this event…..but….again….it wouldn’t be the FFA/Australia…..it’s a FIFA event.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:06pm | Report comment
Good analysis.
AndyRoo said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:10pm | Report comment
Ben says they have asked so your just blowing up at our game on a whim.
Leslie, London said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:21pm | Report comment
You underestimate the magnitude of the World Cup. FIFA raised €1.9bn in marketing revenue and €700m from sponsorship from the 2006 World Cup, and revenue for 2010 is up 25% for South Africa a year out from its commencement. The hosting nation typically earns doubly as much from hosting the event, money spent by tourist attending alone outstrips the figures you provided here for AFL (that’s really for a whole season?).
As admirable your support is for your game/code it is pales in comparison to the benefits that come with hosting a World Cup tournament – even if it is as you say for only 4 weeks. There’s some perspective for you.. now step back and reconsider how small your code really is. Moreover think of the cost to Melbourne’s prestige if what I’m hearing (from a friend in Geneve) is seriously being considered by FIFA.. there’s a lot more at stake than many of you are willing to accept.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:34pm | Report comment
Leslie, I hear you loud & clear.
Michael C is always throwing facts around without much substance. I think most people realise that all our codes put together pales into insignficance compared to the world cup.
I love this country, but one thing I have noticed since I started travelling O/S, how insular we really are.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:41pm | Report comment
Punter
we’re insular?
About 50% of our populatoin is either born overseas, has a parent born overseas or a grand parent born overseas – how could that be insular?
We’re one of the most travelled people on Earth.
We’re one of the most educated people on Earth.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:48pm | Report comment
I’m one of those, born O/S to parents born O/S.
But sorry mate, u need to get out more. Most people O/S know little about us or our sports, yet we think we are the greatest sporting nation in the world & the centre of the universe. Nothing wrong with that attitude though, but in reality we’re not.
bever fever said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:53pm | Report comment
Punter
So who is the insular one if they dont know about us.
Name a world sport that we fail at.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:08pm | Report comment
Bever, we are best in sports, especially team sports that have little int’l flavour. As for individuals, well in the last 10 years on a world scale, Greg Norman, Cathy Freeman & maybe Cadel Evans, Lil Lleyton & Rafter, Thorpe & Kewell would be touch & go.
That would be about it.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:30pm | Report comment
I don’t think we are the centre of the centre of the sporting universe, just as a bloke standing on the terraces of Plainmoor doesn’t think he’s the centre of the universe.
But our footy club may as well be our universe.
oikee said | December 8th 2009 @ 7:46am | Report comment
Pip, soccer supporters are the most travelled aussies, not AFL supporters, they dont need to travel ,
oikee said | December 8th 2009 @ 7:52am | Report comment
Oh, and Pip, that statement is very insular, most educated people on earth, ? Mate, have you ever been overseas, Take Buda-pest, they have statues that were made 100 years ago that us assies would not be able to build today. And our landmark , Opera house, ? Was that not designed by a German, or dutch dude.
I always support aussies are fantastic fun people, but smart. ?? No way.
Just another, the Habour bridge, designed in England, yes thats right, and shipped to OZ.
Leslie, London said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:01pm | Report comment
Hi Punter,
I take it from scrolling through this forum that Pippinu is the great defender of his code here and does not reflect the popular opinion shared by most Aussies? Seems like the geiser’s been here all day begging for a handout from FIFA and or your govt. If the AFL code is as great as he says it is than it should be able to survive 8-10weeks of disruption, if his lamentations here are true than perhaps their game is not as strong as he wants everyone to believe? I enjoy the discussion here, like most Aussies and their sports they’re very passionate, but as you yourself understand and appreciate and I’m sure countless other know already the WC really is an amazing event to behold and experience. I wish very much that Australia does get to host it someday it will be a real eyeopener for many, a tremendous celebration that Australians deserve to witness!
England will most likely get it in ‘18, so pippinu don’t worry too much matey, I’m sure you will be able to squeeze in a few hundred games of AFL before the WC arrives there.
Norm said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:09pm | Report comment
Very perceptive of you Leslie.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:15pm | Report comment
Leslie
is the World Cup an amazing event?
Trooly rooly?
Geez – thanks for opening our eyes to what’s possible!
There must be a whole wide world out there that I never knew existed!
Is London a nice city?
Do they speak English there?
Do you have electricity there?
What about flushing toilets?
Can you torp a footy?
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:34pm | Report comment
Big figures – all shared amongst the cronies back in Geneva.
We’ve already heard about the gains of billions of dollars (which appear to ignore the billoins of dollars taxpayers have to pay up front).
For those of us with a solid grounding in Economics – we’re aware that it’s mostly BS.
Redb said | December 8th 2009 @ 8:23am | Report comment
We don’t need a soccer World Cup to validate our place in the world.
Melbourne has survived with its own football code for 150 years one that has woven itself into the fabric of life in Melbourne. The big crowds prove its success, they are higher per capita that most other places in the world.
Redb
Art Sapphire said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:04pm | Report comment
Leslie, living in Melbourne today was like being in the build up to the Iraqi Invasion.
Andrew Demetriou – AFL presidente made his big pitch. Just substitute WMDs for the World Cup and you get the picture.
Just add a compliant uncritical tabloid media and you end up being feeling sorry for your fellow citizens and the guff we have to put up with. Anyway, thanks for the comments from the Old Dart. Much appreciated.
Michael C said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:13pm | Report comment
what, is it the one place on earth that the soccer FIFA blitzkrieg meets opposition?? Ah, Melbourne and fortress Britain!!!
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:04pm | Report comment
Leslie
I look forward to the AFL telling one of the most corrupt individuals on Earth to stick it.
Victorians can travel to Sydney, just as they did for the Olympics – no problems.
Not even the second coming of Jesus would get in the way of an AFL season.
Art Sapphire said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:13pm | Report comment
Considering the were soccer matches played at the MCG during the Olympics in 2000 that you and I attended – that shows some pretty selective memory Pip.
Millster said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:58pm | Report comment
I think history will judge you Pip to have just promoted Sep Blatter to a higher level of power than Jesus. The AFL can wail all it wants to look like its doing something for its old fogey blinkered fans but you and I and everyone knows it is just a phoney fight tosave some face and it will roll.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:01pm | Report comment
Millster
who is wailing? The AFL or the FFA?
The AFL simply wishes to play its pissant game and be left alone.
Yet somehow, the FFA has elevated the AFL to some sort of make or break status for the World Cup bid – how on Earth did that happen exactly?
Let the AFL play its pissant game – let the FFA grow some balls and take on the World.
Millster said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:07pm | Report comment
Ok ok I agree let the AFL play its pissant game (your words not mine). Just get it the hell out of the country’s stadia that deserve to be graced with this international spectacle for about 3 little months, and I’ll be 100% happy.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:15pm | Report comment
Sorry Millster – no can do – the FFA are going to have to come up with their own solution – it’s their problem – not the pissant AFL’s problem.
Tifosi said | December 7th 2009 @ 8:56pm | Report comment
Leslie, really good point
Unfortunately, without melbourne on board there is no world cup in Australia.
bever fever said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:10pm | Report comment
Tifosi, how is not wanting the world cup being isolated from the rest of the world.
To use an anology i dont like maccas or does that make me isloated from the rest of the world because i dont want to eat it, maccas creates jobs etc .
As it stands i dont care whether the world cup comes here or not, but what i do hate is a foreign body dictating to us, they need stadiums that have been built up by supporters of australian football and if they want them or want us to stop playing they/we must be compensated… can’t see anything unfair about that.
People around the world may laugh but perhaps they dont understand the full story.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:15pm | Report comment
Let people around the world laugh.
I don’t suffer from cultural cringe.
Millster said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:01pm | Report comment
Oh my god Pip but yes you do. You would prefer to hang on at all costs to an irrelevent anachronism, insulated and overhyped locally but meaningless globally, rather than see us join the world and host one of its premier passtimes.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:05pm | Report comment
Millster
do you understand what the Australian term “cultural cringe” means?
Clearly from your post, you don’t.
Millster said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:12pm | Report comment
Yes I certainly do Pip. Cultural cringe means to revere the foreign due to a feeling of inferiority about our own domestic things.
I also realise that one way that such a pathology can play out is that you choose to rabidly cling to passtimes that never expose you to that ’superior’ world out there lest your shortcomings be exposed. Far better to cling to small, unnoticeable, local things lest you be noticed and challenged byy anyone else.
The other way of course is to shun those domestic things for foreign ones. Though that interpretation is not valid in this case as football has a long history at junior, amateur, pro and international level in Australia and is as much part of the domestic landscape of many families as any other sport.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:18pm | Report comment
Classic cultural cringe.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:17pm | Report comment
But Bever, some of us do want it, we love sports, it’s not a local v Foreign game. BBQ v Maccas.
This is a sport that has followers in this country, me included & has nothing to do with following the rest of the world. We would like to see the best players in the world in our shores, just like you do for your choice of sport. Nothing to do with wnating what the rest of the world has.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:18pm | Report comment
Yes – but the onus is on the FFA and the Feds to make it happen – it’s got nothing to do with the AFL or AFL supporters.
bever fever said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:24pm | Report comment
Yes but surely its a cultural cringe the way tifosi put it, quite simply i am indifferent to it, no doubt i will watch it and hope Australia to do well but our indigenous game is far more a part of my life and if it was disrupted i would want compensation for it in the form of stadium upgrades for footy etc.
Quite simply Leslie’s post is wrong and this bid cannot go ahead and bypass Victoria, they need the AFL’s blessing, Victorians are sports lovers and would provide many of the fans attending the games as well as the infrastructure.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:28pm | Report comment
Fair enough Bever, I understand, you don’t want it for similar reasons I want it, because football or soccer is a big part of life. I like most sports, but this is my main sport & this is the ultimate in sport for me.
But please don’t say we want it just to be like the rest of the world, I want it because, this is my game like you do your game.
Springs said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:01pm | Report comment
Exactly, I want the RLWC because it is my sport. Last year I went to see Australia beat England by a record margin and the Final was one of the greatest upsets on Australian soil. i can perfectly understand soccer fans wanting to see a soccer World Cup in Australia. But play around all the other codes, like the other World Cups did. I don’t remember the RWC disrupting the 2003 season, FIFA can do the same.
The RLWC 2013 is not going to disrupt the EPL even though games could be played at London venues or Manchester venues, plus Wigan, Hull, Leeds etc. Even though the RLWC is nowhere near as big as the soccer WC, the point is we don’t need to disrupt the local domestic codes to stage an international tournament, either does Rugby when England hosts in 2015, or Cricket.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:14pm | Report comment
Springs, no offence, but the Football WC is much bigger, much much bigger, than either the RLWC or RWC. It’s bound to cuase some disruption, but certainly not to the hysteria that this man Andy D says it will. I’m willing to wait & see before passing judgement.
Springs said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:28pm | Report comment
Hmm, I’m pretty sure I already said the soccer world cup is bigger than the RLWC. If FIFA cannot work with the existing Australian sporting landscape, build the tournament around it and upgrade the stadiums they need without disrupting the AFL and NRL’s entire seasons then Australia is not fit to host the soccer World Cup.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:36pm | Report comment
It will disrupt the NRL & AFL season, no doubt, but it won’t disrupt the whole entire season.
It will respect other sports. Like I said let’s wait & see before passing judgement.
Michael C said | December 8th 2009 @ 10:27am | Report comment
Punter -
wait and see before passing judgement…..
but you just have, against Andrew Demetriou.
Demetriou has said all along, from last year, that the AFL supports the WC bid,
and that the AFL will try to accomodate it,
however, there are limits.
That’s all.
You can’t expect independant third party operators (AFL/NRL) who ARE actually domestic competitiors – to do all the compromising.
……so, wait and see a bit and don’t go judging……..but, just when did Ben Buckley indicate he might have an answer about whether the AFL and NRL will be excluded or not from host cities???? Because, we still don’t know if it’s just the stadia the FFA want,….or, the entire cities.
Punter said | December 8th 2009 @ 10:31am | Report comment
Now we are talking about an event that may or may not occur 9 or 13 years down the track. Abot of patience would not go astray.
Tifosi said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:19pm | Report comment
Pip sorry its not the AFL’s call. You know that.
If john brumby says it can be done than the AFL need to relax a bit
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/07/2764338.htm?site=sport§ion=football
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:38pm | Report comment
Tifosi
I read the link – but to be honest – it’s all just the sort of weasel words we hear from our elected representatives on a daily basis.
Tifosi said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:45pm | Report comment
No doubt !!
Hopefully an article i typed up gets published tomorrow. I think you will like it
Tifosi said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:28pm | Report comment
Beaver,
FIFA arent telling you to do anything. They simply say that if you want a world cup this is what you must do. If you cant do that, then we move onto the next guy.
This is not a mickey mouse competition here. Its the biggest tournament in the world.
Personally, the usa trumps our bid and will win 2022 , so i believe this whole discussion is moot.
Not wanting a world cup also indicates we dont want to embrace other cultures, other ideas. Are we that paranoid of a nation not to want to see what the world sees?
And you will get your upgrades, dont worry. Nice new subiaco will do wonders
bever fever said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:35pm | Report comment
“Not wanting a world cup also indicates we dont want to embrace other cultures, other ideas. Are we that paranoid of a nation not to want to see what the world sees?”
Please God tell me i am not reading this, you have got to be kidding me, i can step into the classroom at my local school and embrace other cultures, i can travel O/S and embrace other cultures, Australians are one of the most travelled peoples in the world, we have had 2 olympics here, we are one of the most culturally diverse nations on earth.
Your argument is very simplistic if thats what it is.
Tifosi said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:43pm | Report comment
Beaver sorry, That was meant to say Sporting cultures. The worldcup is a fantastic event where the world comes together. Seeing it first hand is a real eye opener.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:51pm | Report comment
Tifosi, you & I don’t see the code wars like some of the others, it seems we just want to watch the best in the sport we enjoy most.
Freud of Football said | December 8th 2009 @ 12:50am | Report comment
“Australians are one of the most travelled peoples in the world” – since when? If you don’t count Bali and New Zealand (and even if you do) probably half of Australia hasn’t left the country by the time they turn 18. Europeans go on short trips every other weekend, I’d say they are a lot more travelled and culturally diverse.
Australian’s just like to think they are culturally diverse, mass immigration stopped a long time ago and the country is full of 2nd, 3rd, 4th generation Australians by now who live with Australian values and ethics.
Christ, you can’t even get proper mozarella in Coles and while that mightn’t be the single most definative measure of cultural diversity, it does tell you a lot about the tastes and thoughts of Australian’s.
Tifosi said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:37pm | Report comment
lets lighten the mood here a bit
Look what south africa get to host !!
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/Gallery/162288,miss-world-at-world-cups-soccer-city-pic-special.aspx/1
jimbo said | December 8th 2009 @ 10:41pm | Report comment
Tifosi,
I think Miss Argentina had the best ball control .
Joe FC said | December 7th 2009 @ 9:52pm | Report comment
Andrew Demetriou and team AFL should be careful before resorting to the victim mentality lest it become a self fulfilling prophecy ensuring a mundane & banal competition.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:25pm | Report comment
Is telling FIFA and all the corrupt cronies to f@rk off a victim mentality?
Kurt said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:14pm | Report comment
OK, deep breath, one last try. Demetriou has said that he is ok with a four week break in the AFL season if absolutely necessary AND losing the MCG for up to 10 weeks, as long as they can continue to play at Docklands. And yet this is being presented as some sot of utterly immovable obstructionism? Do soccer fans really believe the nonsense they are writing on this forum? Have you even bothered to read the article that precedes the comments, and note what he has actually said – specifically the fact that he is in favour of the bid and wants to work with the FFA? The owners of Docklands, the MCG trust and now the AFL have come out and said the FFA needs to be more transparent and tell them what the expectations are in relation to the bid – and yet this is apparently all some AFL plot to derail the world cup bid?
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:19pm | Report comment
At last an AFL that is talking some sense.
But I worry that you think that the AFL can derail a world cup bid, this is not true, if Australia doesn’t get it, it’s not because of AFL.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:23pm | Report comment
True – it will be because our bid was laughable.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:26pm | Report comment
So un-Australian.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:33pm | Report comment
Punter
our bid lacks credibility – it’s a joke!
the UK and the US can have 50 grounds ready to play tomorrow – what do we have – five cricket ovals!!
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:39pm | Report comment
So why then didn’t China get the 2000 Olympics instead of Sydney or US get the 2016 Olympics instead it went to poor Brazil.
Sometimes it’s not about th biggest.
Springs said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:41pm | Report comment
Aye, he’s acting very French isn’t he?
This un-Australian thing can be used by anyone to describe anything they don’t like, so stop using it.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:44pm | Report comment
You don’t like Football, others don’t like football & call it foreign. Didn’t see you taking offence there.
Now Un-Australian — Foreign, similar but not the same.
Tifosi said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:47pm | Report comment
Thats un-Australian !!
(Sorry couldnt resist)
Springs said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:51pm | Report comment
Sorry, it’s just the un-Australian thing can apply to anything. Technically, League is foreign. I didn’t take offence, it just annoys me that people can use ‘un-australian’ (like Kevin Rudd) to describe something they don’t agree with. if they’re un-australian then what are they? It’s not like Australians have all these virtues other cultures don’t have.
Pippinu said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:56pm | Report comment
Punter
if you are referring to me, I didn’t call football foreign, I described the FIFA executive as foreign, corrupt, unelected officials – which is what they are.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:56pm | Report comment
OK I accept that & will stop using it.
BTW League is foreign, no technicallity about it. But we have adopted it.
dasilva said | December 8th 2009 @ 12:55pm | Report comment
Pip
Ok FIFA are corrupt, unelected and foreign
Foreign – Is there anything wrong with being foreign?
Unelected – As far as I know they are elected. Not exactly universal suffrage but Blatter is elected by all the member states of FIFA. Maybe it isn’t the most transparent process in the world but Blatter, Platini, Bin Hammen and all the rest of the major football big players had to be voted in by the representative of the football community. Bin Hammen almost lost the last election. They are accountable to their constituency. Bin hammen certainly soften some of his stance since his last election. So it’s pretty false to say they are unelected.
Corrupt – No doubt they are. Really no more corrupt then most politcal organisation.
In the end, FIFA is not telling us what to do. FIFA is not telling us to stop all the football seasons etc. Your beef should be with FFA for wanting to use the MCG and not FIFA. The stadium issue has nothing to do with FIFA.
Art Sapphire said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:35pm | Report comment
Give me a break Kurt, why didn’t you also include “the nonsense non-soccer fans and Pip are writing on this forum.”
I thought you were smart enough but it looks as if I need to repeat the first thing I posted in this thread.
“You gotta give it to AD – on laucnching this pre-emptive strike on the FFA.
1. Timing – the Monday after the WC draw for 2010.
2. Weapons – Exclusive report in pro-AFL Herald Sun and interview with Anti-Soccer 3AW tabloid talkback station.
3. The rest of the media pick up on the story and it becomes an avalanche.
Can’t you see its a national crisis. The Cuban Missile Crisis has nothing on this ”
I should have just left it at that.
But I might as well finish it like this.
Good Night all!
Tifosi said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:26pm | Report comment
Punter Unfortunately, Australia wont be getting the world cup for these reasons:
1. Population- 25 million is too small, USA has 300 million
2. Middle of nowhere. Getting here is a pain in the ass. USA is easy to get to.
3. Unsuitable/insufficient facilities which will cost too much to upgrade. USA has it in spades.
4. FIFA need soccer to take keep growing in the USA. Its where the money is still. World cup will do that.
5. USA offers everything we do x 10 million
Did I mention the USA is bidding for it?
FFA have outreached themselves, meaning no world cup, leaving this whole code war argument dead.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:31pm | Report comment
Tifosi, we can but dream.
2018 or 2022, the world has a new econmic power. Football has another rich (as in money) footballing geography. Yes Asia.
Best bid from Asia, Australia. Great timezones for the largest tv viewers in the world.
Tifosi we can but dream
Tifosi said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:37pm | Report comment
Yes you can dream but soon reality hits you.
Asia will be indeed the power, just in time for China to host in 2026.
Punter said | December 7th 2009 @ 10:41pm | Report comment
I’m not losing any sleep on whether we get it or not, but I reckon Asia & not the US will get 1 of the world cups, so why not Australia.
At least I’m not death riding it due to fear as some are.
oikee said | December 8th 2009 @ 8:17am | Report comment
Tifosi, and Sth Africa is easy to get to? Just down the road is it. ? Mate, 40 thousand assies are going to the world cup Africa. So getting their is by plane, not cars. Australia will win the bid, why/ because we are the best hum-dinger little country in the world, that love sports.
jimbo said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:43pm | Report comment
No WC games to be played at the MCG – FANTASTIC!
More WC games in Sydney, Brisbane or Canberra and another 80K+ rectangular stadium for rugby and football to be built in Canberra, Queensland or Sydney – all the jobs and money going to the NSW or Qld economy – FANTASTIC!
Kurt said | December 7th 2009 @ 11:49pm | Report comment
Yes, absolutely brilliant. You get all the ‘economic benefits’ including:
-Reduced visitor numbers due to the displacement of existing tourism and business travel
-Misplaced investment in infrastructure designed for one four week event
-White elephant stadiums unable to fund themselves moving forward
-Substantial increases in state government debt to be paid (with interest) over a period of decades.
Good luck with that Jimbo!
jimbo said | December 8th 2009 @ 12:05am | Report comment
Its amazing how you AFL guys can talk, let alone think, with your heads so deep in the sand or deep up your own backsides.
Try thinking outside the centre square – its an amazing world out there.
I think Dimitriou was just concerned that the FIFA WC draw and Australia’s potential opponents was getting more international media attention than the AFL draft – so he had to drag out the old stadium controversy again.
Kurt said | December 8th 2009 @ 12:08am | Report comment
Great comeback Jimbo, you’ve really rebutted my points effectively. The fact is the economic benefits argument is so fanciful and full of holes it doesn’t stand up to any rigorous scrutiny. But it’s us AFL fans with our heads in the sand!
Freud of Football said | December 8th 2009 @ 1:07am | Report comment
Where are the Editors when you need them?
This debate is beyond ridiculous. The term un-Australian is bandied about here like its use doesn’t matter when you all know it to be seen as offensive.
For starters, who cares what benefits go to what state? I don’t see Jimbo’s point in giving Canberra an 80k stadium but if he thinks thats great, well, GREAT, give it to them.
States in Aus don’t mean a great deal, can anyone here really hear the difference in accents between a Melbournian and a Brisbanite? Or someone from Meningie compare to Wagga? The only real difference is which sport you follow and there is no right or wrong in that.
Fact is about half the population follow one of AFL or Rugby and football is mixed between both sets. That the AFL doesn’t want to be inconvenienced is perfectly understandable, anyone stating anything negative about the WC bid is also understandable as is anyone who is in favour, if the NRL doesn’t want to be inconvenienced it’s also understandable, none of these points are incorrect.
The WC would cause some big headaches for Australia, it could also cause some big winfalls and the fact of the matter is not one person here is qualified to make a call on what is best, right or wrong.
I read Michael C’s analysis, yes it is somewhat correct but it perfectly demonstrates the problems of this argument. They address one single aspect of a very big picture, I hardly think comments on a Roar article are going to be in depth enough to touch on the current and required infrastructure or economics of a WC, the event (and the impacts of it on Australia and AFL/NRL) require a bit more thought and planning than throwing a few numbers out there that support your side.
oikee said | December 8th 2009 @ 8:32am | Report comment
Frued of Football, yes their is a big difference between Brisbanites and Vics, beleive me, most can see this when you watch AFL commentators, and Melbourne people who move to QLD, trust me, they have agenda’s, and its not pretty. At least 3 codes are making headway into Melbourne, because its very unhealthy to be so obsessed by 1 code, England has found that out over time, which is why they are pushing so hard for other codes to be played, not just soccer.
So to answer your question again, yes, it is easy to pick out a Victorian in QLD, for a start they dont bother to chamge their numberplates over to QLD plates, and they have the obvious fault, Two Heads.
KB said | December 8th 2009 @ 1:10pm | Report comment
Kurt,
take your economical points to Price Waterhouse & Co and the Australian Trade commission with a please explain $5 billion injected into the Australian economy … I will listen …
oikee said | December 8th 2009 @ 8:22am | Report comment
Jimbo, they wont build a 80 thousand stadium in Canberra. After the cup, nobody would use it, now if you built a 80 thousand Stdium In Brisbane,? We would fill the sucker every game, and fill the sucker for origin, Bledisloe, future soccer internationals, and rugby league finals, and grand finals. Brisbane, safe bet.
jmt said | December 8th 2009 @ 9:42am | Report comment
If you said to a tourist do want to go to the footy in Melbourne, they may think of Soccer, Rugby, NFL, but AFL they have no idea and who cares either when you can show case the second biggest sporting event on the planet.
Leave the media out of it Dimitriou and fight you battles in the board room that’s what you are paid for.
It just shows you how insular the AFL really is!
Pippinu said | December 8th 2009 @ 9:53am | Report comment
Australians care – FIFA can look for another country conducive to cronyism and corruption – try Qatar.
jmt said | December 8th 2009 @ 9:58am | Report comment
Agreed but the AFL is only interested in its own back pocket, so is that looking after Australians!
Pippinu said | December 8th 2009 @ 10:53am | Report comment
Well – it’s a billion dollar a year industry, employs over 20,000 people, allows about 800 footballers to play professionally within Australia,and earn a decent crust, over 7 million people go to watch a live game per annum, and all the profits remain within Australia.
jimbo said | December 8th 2009 @ 2:04pm | Report comment
Only 1 in 20 Australians are interested in AFL.
There are not 7 million AFL spectators for AFL – its the same 200K who go every week because they paid money for a membership.
AFL is not as imprtant as you people think – particularly to FIFA.
Pippinu said | December 8th 2009 @ 2:11pm | Report comment
Jimbo
in fact, there are over 600,000 AFL members – that’s a lot within Australia.
It doesn’t actually matter what FIFA thinks – do they have executive powers within Australia?
jimbo said | December 8th 2009 @ 2:15pm | Report comment
Pip. If there are 600K who go to watch AFL every week, then the AFL average attendance would be 80K not 35K so the weekly numbers are closer to 200K than what you are suggesting.
You are not the most important football code in the world – just accept it.
Norm said | December 8th 2009 @ 10:51am | Report comment
playing the race card now pippy boy!
Pippinu said | December 8th 2009 @ 10:54am | Report comment
Is cronyism and corruption a racial issue?
Norm said | December 8th 2009 @ 11:06am | Report comment
What does your comment say about Qataris vis-à-vis Australians?
Pippinu said | December 8th 2009 @ 11:12am | Report comment
Is Qatar a liberal democracy or not?
Norm said | December 8th 2009 @ 11:25am | Report comment
Do Qataris indulge more in corruption & cronyism than Australians or not?
Pippinu said | December 8th 2009 @ 11:27am | Report comment
Norm
let us just say, in the words of “The Godfather”, Qatar is a place with which FIFA can do business.
Norm said | December 8th 2009 @ 12:02pm | Report comment
Just as I thought, prejudice drives your views.
Pippinu said | December 8th 2009 @ 12:08pm | Report comment
In dealing with Australia, there are courts of law deciding matters of property rights, and a democratically elected legislature oversighting a legal and economic framework allowing for the enforceability of contract rights.
In dealing with Qatar, FIFA would not need to worry about such impediments to conducting business.
Furthermore, in transferring large sums of money from the Qatari bid team, to the accounts of individual members of the FIFA executive, there would be no need to worry about probity or pesky journalists.
Buckley and Lowy may not have that same freedom – although you’re right, that remains to be seen.