By Spiro Zavos
December 14th 2009 @ 5:59am
Related coverage
Australia will host the 2022 Football World Cup
FIFA President Sepp Blatter, left, talks with Football Australia chairman Frank Lowy as they arrive at the opening ceremony for the 58th FIFA congress in Sydney, Thursday, May 29, 2008. AP Photo/Mark Baker
Here is a fearless prediction: England will win the rights to host the 2018 Football World Cup tournament, and Australia will win the hosting rights to the 2022 tournament.
In 2018 it will be Europe’s turn to host the Football World Cup and England’s bid is for all sorts of reasons, financial, geographical and historical, far and away the best and most compelling bid.
That leaves 2022 and the fact that the Football World Cup, after South Africa next year, will have been played in all of FIFA’s regions except one. That exception is Oceania.
Australia moved from the Oceania region to the Asian region of FIFA some year ago. But it’s bid will be promoted (and rightly so) as an Asian/Oceania bid.
In an intriguing article recently in the Sydney Morning Herald, Mike Cockerill, that newspaper’s long-time football writer and Fox Sports commentator, made the point that ‘ever since Joao Havelange ascended the throne in Zurich on 1974, the overriding strategy of FIFA has been to complete the global footprint.
Havelang’a mantra was embraced even more wholeheartedly by his successor, Sepp Blatter, when he took over in 1998.
According to Cockerill, football outspends the two football codes in Oceania by 10 to one in terms of infrastructure. A great deal of this money has come from FIFA through its “hugely successful” GOAL program.
The final boot to drop for FIFA in its Oceania/Asia ambitions, then, is a Football World Cup tournament in Australia, with possibly a round being played in Auckland.
After the renovations made for the 2012 Rugby World Cup, Eden Park in Auckland will be a superb rectangular ground that will conform to the FIFA guidelines by holding 50,000 spectators.
Australia’s main rival for 2022 will be the United States. Right now the USA is on the outer with the world sports officials.
A pointer to the hostility of the international sporting community to the United States can be gauged by its abject failure to get Chicago up for the 2016 Olympics (despite the presence of President Obama). The winner for 2016 was the virtually dysfunctional city of Rio.
With Australia having hosted the best Olympics in 2000 and the best Rugby World Cup tournament in 2007, the nation has an international reputation for running superb international events. The delegates who vote for the Football World Cup tournaments will be aware of all of this.
FIFA’s game plan to spread the football code as thickly as it can into all parts of the globe will also play a part in the final vote.
In the interests of nation-building that will come from hosting a Football World Cup (the biggest sporting event on earth) in Australia, the NRL and the AFL should do what the ARU is doing and support the bid while keeping a watching brief on its own interests.
The main task of the FFA is to present a compelling selling brief to FIFA when it makes its bid next year. This needs to conform to FIFA’s requirements about rival codes and rectangular stadiums. But once the bid is accepted, then the negotiations will take place with FIFA over changes that need to be made.
But the bid has to be won first before this can happen.
And it will happen, once the bid is won. For instance, FIFA requires bans on competing ‘major events’ during the Football World Cup tournament in the host country. But Major League Baseball was allowed to be played in the United States in 1994 when the World Cup was held in that country.
Berlin Olympic Stadium, where the 1936 Olympics were held, which is more round than rectangular, hosted the final of the 2006 Football World Cup held in Germany. So much for the rectangular stadium requirement. In fact, two of the Socceroos matches in the 2006 Football World Cup were played in round stadiums.
Back to Mike Cockerill’s article for a final point. He reckons that FIFA is starting to see a great deal of merit in pushing into its final frontier of Australia and the Oceania nations: “Thanks to the posturing of rival codes, it’s listening more than ever. Threatening the World Cup bid equals threatening FIFA, and FIFA doesn’t take kindly to being threatened.”
So here’s an irony.
The more Andrew Demetriou and David Gallop threaten, the stronger becomes the resolve in the football world to give them something, a Football World Cup in Australia, to shout about.
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(131)
Punter said | December 14th 2009 @ 6:24am | Report comment
Great article, great to see RUs support.
Bringit on!!!! I can’t wait. The world’s best footballers at our doorstep.
One small point the RU world cup in Australia which I throughly enjoyed was in 2003 not 2007.
Redb said | December 14th 2009 @ 6:54am | Report comment
It’s easier for rugby union to support becuase there is little interruption to their season. Now let’s work out how difficult it is to re-schedule a Bledisloe game or two and a super rugby comp that does not play in June/July.
The ARU would be hoping the WC does maximum damage to the NRL clubs and season. We haven’t heard a beep becuase deep down the ARU know this is much more of a problem to rugby league and any damage to their competitor strenghthens their position.
That’s fine each sport has to play its cards, it is obvious rugby union is keeping theirs very close to their chest.
Redb
Sam said | December 14th 2009 @ 11:18am | Report comment
The Super 14 is being expanded to Super 15, and so by 2018 or 2022 is it almost certain that Super rugby will be played in June/July. Any rescheduling of rugby union will have to get the agreement of the New Zealand and South African Rugby Unions – so it’s not simple. However the ARU probably want to host another Rugby World Cup one day and may need the FFA’s support to do that, so I think they will be as accommodating as they can.
Chuq said | December 14th 2009 @ 11:45am | Report comment
Sam, if that isn’t happening until after Dec 2010, then it’s then their job to work around the FFA, rather than the other way around.
In any case 2/3 of the Super xx teams are played outside of Australia, so rescheduling shouldn’t be a problem at all.
Sam said | December 14th 2009 @ 11:52am | Report comment
Its certainly not there job to work around the FFA, regardless of the dates of any expansion (2012 from memory). However I think they will able to fit around it as long as the South African and New Zealanders aren’t opposed to it.
Dave said | December 15th 2009 @ 8:25am | Report comment
Actually Chuq, the three countries will be broken into their own group stage with 5 teams (each team will play each other twice) so there will be 2 games in Australia EVERY weekend.
IMO Australians are addicted to sport and even diehard fans of one code are still happy to watch another code with you if you shout them a beverage or two. I think any international event is good for all codes!
Brian said | December 15th 2009 @ 10:27pm | Report comment
Unlike AFL Rugby would benefit from vastly improved stadiums if a WC bid was won. 40,000 rectangular stadiums in Newcastle & Canberra, an upgraded Suncorp & ANZ. The NRL & ARU should get a lot more from a WC than the AFL.
CraigB said | December 14th 2009 @ 6:55am | Report comment
RedB – My understanding is the new super comp will run into june/july. That is when the extra local games will be played.
Redb said | December 14th 2009 @ 7:06am | Report comment
CraigB,
In Australia at least without purposefully being unkind super rugby is a bit player on the landscape at this time. The impact is minimal in comparison to the NRL and AFL 8 games a week in May/June/July.
Redb
Michael C said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:19am | Report comment
I gather a lot of people in soccer land don’t quite understand that when they suggest the AFL can work around missing it’s 2 primary stadia in Melbourne, they don’t seem to comprehend that between them, they host on average 4 matches per week, with TD avg crowd around 38K and the MCG at 49K,
Should both venues be out of action for 6-8 weeks, we’re talking 24-32 matches with a general average of 43,000 to somehow be redistributed.
It’s nice and easy for RU folk to envisage one home game a fortnight for the one team town/state that they have in the Super Rugby comp.
There’s just no comparison.
At the end of the day, the AFL MIGHT be workable, were it not for the presence of the NRL, and likewise, the NRL might be workable were it not for the presence of the AFL.
and a FIFA WC might be doable were it not for the presence of both the AFL and NRL……..although, ironically, it’s ONLY doable because of the venues of the AFL and NRL. Funny that.
Mr said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:45am | Report comment
Michael C, it’s been done to death and the cup won’t kick off for a minimum 9 years. You’ll have your answer in May 2010.
Redb said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:58am | Report comment
I’ve heard the argument a few times along the lines of “why are you worried about an event in 9 or 13 years”
or “your asking for details so far out in the future”
Well let’s deal in the facts.
By May 2010 (just 6 months away) the bid has to be finalised and the details of how the WC will be hosted including stadium use has to be worked out including negotiation by all parties.
No good the AFL or NRl in 2017 going “hang on how is this supposed to work for us?”
Redb
Mr said | December 14th 2009 @ 11:57am | Report comment
As I said, in May 2010 you will have the answer. How is it productive going round in a mine is bigger argument before then. The stakeholders including govt, infrastructure owners, chamber of commerce and the other codes are in discussion at executive level.
Michael C said | December 14th 2009 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
Mr -
if you follow that logic, then, none of us should bother on here at all and we’ll return to our ’stress balls’……
….where’s the fun in that???
Brett McKay said | December 14th 2009 @ 7:15am | Report comment
kind of, CraigB. From 2011, the Super 15 will run through to August, but with a three or four week break for the June internationals. So Redb is sort of right, there would be a little bit of disruption to the season. Though with at least 2 and maybe 3 of the Australian Super sides’ home grounds to be used for the WC (Suncorp, SFS, Canberra), the disruption could be significant if the draw can’t be shuffled enough.
That all said, come 2018, or 2022, who knows how or even if Super rugby will be structured and run…
TammyS said | December 14th 2009 @ 7:14am | Report comment
completely agree with the article. I dont think us winning the rights is as unrealistic as some people think it is.
AlexMilic said | December 14th 2009 @ 7:31am | Report comment
england no chance unless they pay Blatter millions and millions. They are doing everything possible to win just look at their team, An Italian coach who they pay 8mill pounds what a joke. They are trying so hard
Spiro Zavos said | December 14th 2009 @ 7:41am | Report comment
Just a slip of the pen regarding the Rugby World Cup held in Australia. It was in 2003 not 2007. Another point I failed to make in my article is that Australia’s bid is making a virtue out of our supposed isolation by pointing out that the vast majority of people on the globe live in the Asian region.
I was initially a sceptic about the chances of Australia winning the right to host either the 2018 or 2022 tournaments. I thought that there was an element of PM Kevin Rudd trying to grandstand in the international community (with a view to winning the job of Secretary-General of the Nations at some point) in his promotion of the bid.
There is also the politics of pursuing the ’soccer mums’ vote, which I believe is part of the calculation.
But there is also a genuine notion of nation-building involved in bidding for and winning the bid.
The Football World Cup is the greatest show on earth in its year. It would be a tremendous achievement for Australia to win it.
My understanding from sources that can’t be named is that Australia’s bid is being looked at very favorably.
Now the FFA has to put in a compelling selling bid, which should not be hard to do given Australia’s history going back to the 1956 Olympics with hosting great international tournaments.
The time for haggling over schedules and cocmpensation (if any) should come after the bid has been won.
$1 Billion Compensation for AFL/NRL said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:06am | Report comment
I hardly think the AFL and NRL should sign away their rights without hard figures already being set in stone – what a terrible negotiating position?
Would you sign a blank cheque to a competitor and then try and work out the amount later? Wouldn’t you establish the damages and compo and then sign it?
By the way – the May “deadline” is nothing of the sort, it is a FIFA edict, but last I looked the AFL/NRL are not in the least bit bound by this deadline
Michael C said | December 14th 2009 @ 10:26am | Report comment
after the lack of Asian Cup ‘tourism’ when 4 nations shared hosting rights, the ‘Asian’ egg is one still wanted to be cracked……but, the total optimism on behalf of the Australian taxpayer is a dangerous gamble.
stevo said | December 14th 2009 @ 10:51am | Report comment
its not so much the tourism that will sway the FIFA decision makers, the benefit we have w.r.t asia is time zones. like almost all modern sport competitions, a lot of the revenue from the world cup comes from TV. asia being closer to our time zone means prime time games in asia, which has a huge potential audience.
btw i think its foolish to compare the tourism draw of the asian cup held in vietnam, indonesia, thailand and malaysia to a world cup in australia. ignoring the obvious domination of the quality of football, the infrastructure, accommodation, stadia and lack of red tape involved with travelling between countries for games makes the comparison pointless.
Michael C said | December 14th 2009 @ 10:38am | Report comment
btw – FIFA is famous for giving people ‘positive feedback’,
they don’t like too many bids falling over too soon,
nothing worse than only Brazil still in the ‘race’ and Sepp getting to the podium and announcing to the world ‘And the winner is…….’
Paulo Roberto Sanchotene said | December 14th 2009 @ 7:58am | Report comment
World Cups are played in one month. AFL and NRL are held on one-game-per-week basis. That being said, no more than 5 rounds (let’s make it 6) would face any trouble because of the World Cup. NRL and ARL Finals start on September, and the WC would be long gone by then.
It’s manageble to schedule the season in order to avoid WC stadia in that month, making teams playing away in that period, or playing home in an alternative stadium wherever possible. Some stadia, actually, would be free after first and second round, and that is after 15 to 19 days.
I just can’t see the problem. Mainly because it would be once in a life time…
Redb said | December 14th 2009 @ 8:05am | Report comment
The WC requires at least a 4 week preparation window prior to the commencement of the World Cup. It is a 8 week no go zone at least. Possibly 10 weeks according to Ben Buckley.
AndyRoo said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:01am | Report comment
It’s up to the individual codes what they do but they could get away with 4 weeks of split rounds in the lead up month then a 3 week rest and then back to full rounds (one the round of 16 starts more and more venues come o nline for AFL/NRL use). That put’s them 5 weeks behind schedule so start one week early and have a gf in October.
That 3 weeks rest wouldn’t have to be rest though, it could be filled with extra money makers like AFL SOO, Indegenous All stars matches, NRL Sevens Tournaments, a RL test agaisnt NZ etc etc.
That would mean their full program of matches in their regular grounds plus extra revenue makers. For the AFL they would need docklands though or it’s just not workable….. Andy D is on the money.
$1 Billion Compensation for AFL/NRL said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:07am | Report comment
I don’t think a RL test against NZ would pass the international sporting comp rule would it?
AndyRoo said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:41am | Report comment
You play it in NZ!
You must be ab AFL fan to not grasp that concept
Greg said | December 14th 2009 @ 8:47pm | Report comment
AndyRoo: Woosh!
Redb said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:50am | Report comment
Agree, we would all not be arguing about this if the FFA had stuck with their initial use of just the MCG and not Etihad as well.
Phutbol said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:06am | Report comment
Thats only for the stadia in use though Redb. local alternate venues would be availabe for all but 4-5weeks.
So 10 weeks max for WC stadia (MCG etc)
4 weeks of ‘blackout’ in cities hosting WC events….
very manageable i would have thought.
Redb said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:52am | Report comment
I think it is very manageable including the 4 week break in the middle of the AFL season. But Etihad cannot also be put of action for 8 weeks.
Paulo Roberto Sanchotene said | December 14th 2009 @ 8:52am | Report comment
Let’s say that the WC would be played between 6.10.22/7.10.22. In a WC, 56 of its 64 games are played in the first 19 days. So, it’s possible that only FOUR stadia would be in use after 6.28 (tuesday). FFA can organize a WC where 2 stadia would be free after someday between 6.22 and 6.24; another four would be available after someday between 6.25 and 6.28.
If your information is correct, the last NRL and/or AFL game before the WC could happen in 5.8 (sunday). So, we can conclude that, ina total of 10 WC stadia:
a) 2 stadia – 6 weeks WC exclusive;
b) 4 stadia – 7 weeks WC exclusive;
c) 2 stadia – 8 weeks WC exclusive;
d) 2 stadia – 9 weeks WC exclusive.
Chuq said | December 14th 2009 @ 10:20am | Report comment
Good plan. The catch being, the AFL/NRL would be crazy to compete against the finals/semi-finals. But that’s not FFA/FIFA’s problem – they can have access to the stadiums though, good luck with that!
Michael C said | December 14th 2009 @ 10:45am | Report comment
I think you’re missing something re you’re first statement :
” AFL and NRL are held on one-game-per-week basis. ”
Are you aware of ground rationalisation in Victoria. AFL uses 2 primary venues for 9 Melb based clubs. On avg, 4 matches a week. Avg att b/w the 2 venues is 43,000.
We aren’t talking about 1 team towns here.
The NRL in Sydney is a tad different with many local suburban grounds still in use – however, in 9-13 years time I’d imagine they’d be thinking that might’ve changed too.
Let alone, the AFL is soon to be an 18 team comp – with potentially 5 Melb based games per week……although, hosting a GC or GWS might bring the atten avg down a tad!!!!
The potential disruption to lose BOTH Etihad and MCG for 6-9 weeks, it’s not just 6-9 home games that can be played away instead,
and, where do you go…..after all, this is a ‘national event’ is it not, hosting a FIFA WC….so big an event……that they’re trusting the FFA with it……….gawd, say no more!!!
Jameswm said | December 14th 2009 @ 8:30am | Report comment
If League us allowed to be played during the WC, I don’t see any dramas. St George/Illawarra, Newcastle, parra, Penrith, Tigers, Manly – they can all play at home. Several others too. Teams like the Roosters or Bunnies that predominantly use the SFS, can have away games scheduled for then. And they can have 3 split rounds over 6 weeks – a small price to pay for having improved stadia to play in afterwards.
Aussie Rules fans seem to be the ones shouting a lot more than League fans.
M1tch said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:22am | Report comment
Newcastle wont be able too, Souths and Roosters could even have a home game at the SCG too
Derryn said | December 14th 2009 @ 8:35am | Report comment
The FFA should work out an agreement with the NRL and AFL. Maybe if some games could be played during the World Cup period it would be give these sports unprecedented international exposure. They would not have to use the WC grounds.
We are definite chance at 2022.
Darwin hammer said | December 14th 2009 @ 8:51am | Report comment
Is this just another attempt at flogging a story for all its worth to garner hits on a blog – this topic was done to death all last week – yet monday arrives and the chief expert pens an article to merely restart what’s already a tired topic under the guise that Australia are in pole position to capture 2022 – when in reality they’re an outside chance at best …
Paulo Roberto Sanchotene said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:06am | Report comment
Actually, if you look at the competition, it’s hard not to point Australia among the favorites. Don’t forget that can be only one WC in Europe. AUS rivals are: USA (CONCACAF); Japan; South Korea; Indonesia and Qatar (all AFC).
Mushi said | December 14th 2009 @ 11:23am | Report comment
What you’ve just picked up on that being Spiro’s M.O.
Darwin hammer said | December 14th 2009 @ 4:04pm | Report comment
No mushi – I’ve known it for a while – I used to like this site – but more and more I’ve noticed the wholesale repetition of subjects …. it’s boring
Justin said | December 14th 2009 @ 4:35pm | Report comment
Tend to agree DH – we’ve had about 50 threads on national comps for rugby, countless league v union ratings/crowds/which is better threads. Plenty of AFL v soccer threads and just re-hashing what been typed before.
Marshall said | December 14th 2009 @ 4:49pm | Report comment
The hypocrisy of you lot make me laugh. You guys write half the article on this site, you comment constantly on these pieces – which are about te biggest story in sport with huge implications for the future – you’re commenting on this piece, then you say your bored of it and it’s getting repetitive.
Viscount Crouchback said | December 14th 2009 @ 8:57am | Report comment
Yes, Spiro, until someone reminds the FIFA bigwigs that the great continent of Oceania has a market of, er, 25m people. Dream on, old bean.
AGO74 said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:49am | Report comment
There’s a very salient point here that hasn’t been raised before. There does seem to be a bit of angst towards the US at the moment. Specifically why a modern wealthy city with excellent infrastructure and the backing of the most influential person in the world was knocked out (in the first of 4 rounds no less) in the Olympics bid by an eventual winner who certainly has an ‘exotic-ness’ in terms of its beaches and spectacular location but in reality is a crime-ridden rabble of a city with huge amounts of poverty and a lack of infrastructure.
Mxjosh said | December 14th 2009 @ 10:59am | Report comment
Its great to see a non football writer pen an intelligent non bias column for once. good work Spiro!
Midfielder said | December 14th 2009 @ 11:14am | Report comment
Keep reading from AFL folk that the Dome is off limits… I keep saying that is fine it is not needed…. if Melbourne and the AFL can release the MCG for between 6 to 8 weeks .. we should say thank you very much for your help…
The Dome has as I understabd it always been for AFL use…It defies logic that anyone could expect the AFL to provide both its grounds for 6 to 8 weeks when they have 10 teams in Melbourne…
The question that does come to mind is will the Vic gov extend Swan ST. If not the answer is simple Melbourne supplies one ground…
Hopefully it all settles down and people like Fozzie on the Football side and a number from the AFL media … take a bex have a cup of tea and a good lie down…
Michael C said | December 14th 2009 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
and if only more soccer folk had Midfielders ‘insight’ on this topic,
then we’d all have moved away from this anti Andrew Demetriou media assasination and instead the pressure would be where it belongs – on the Vic State Govt to proove that the only stadium they’ve funded more than 15% of is NOT a white elephant.
Fair enough to many outside Victoria, this may not seem so important,
but, within Victoria – - like anywhere else – - it is an issue fundamental to the accountability of those who spend tax payer funds.
btw – Middie, it’s sad to see on the odd thread or Newspaper ‘comments’ section some of the people just lapping up the rubbish (both ways).
Midfielder said | December 14th 2009 @ 3:49pm | Report comment
MC
Also my understanding and I have made enjuries today and do not have an answer… BUT we only need 10 stadiums for the world cup. SA only has 10 as did Germany before.
The reason for the 12 is so FIFA can pick the best 10… Some countries will say we have 14 or 20…
12 is needed so FIFA can choose the best 10 … will confirm this latter if I am right…
QLD [3]
North Ols
Soncorp
Gold Coast
NSW [4] or [5]
Newcastle
Aussie
Homebush
Blacktowm / C’Town
Wollongong is offered if needed
ACT [1]
?? but will have one
Vic [2]
MCG
Swan Street [ assume Vic gov wants 2]
SA [1]
WA [1]
Totalling 13 stadiums
FIFA will then tell 3 cities they cannot have them… say North Qld & Wollongong…. meaning someone else is going to be told no…
Who else no idea but my guess would be SA..
Michael C said | December 14th 2009 @ 4:24pm | Report comment
I reckon they’d (FFA? to promote the ‘national’ element – Tassie doesn’t count) want to be seen to touch each mainland capital,
Dave said | December 15th 2009 @ 9:18am | Report comment
Although there will be a LOT of VIC based football fans PO if NSW gets 4 grounds and VIC only gets 1…
Being a Sydneysider it suits me. 4x the possibility to see Brazil Spain England Netherlands etc. Dream come true!
Jeb said | December 14th 2009 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
Very insightful article. Interesting take on where Fifa wants to take the game. Whereas Fitzsimons and other journos laugh at the bid because soccer isn’t the only code of football played here, it is for that reason that Fifa will want to bring the wc here.
mahony said | December 14th 2009 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
I read on The Age website that Jeff Kennett is now arguing that a World Cup will put the mental health of Austraians at risk. Do these people have any decency. Victoria is a provincial backwater at times.
Michael C said | December 14th 2009 @ 1:35pm | Report comment
I know that ready the Age website will put the mental health of Australians at risk.
Art Sapphire said | December 14th 2009 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
Kennett also said that he can see women playing AFL sometime in the future.
He forgot to take his medication last year before the Essendon v Hawthorn game with alarming results
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xgnD36M7-E&feature=response_watch
Redb said | December 14th 2009 @ 1:50pm | Report comment
priceless
Michael C said | December 14th 2009 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
however –
don’t entirely discount Jeff Kennett -
remember:
A. he used to play a role with Soccer AUstralia, at least as an advocate for soccer
B. as premier of VIc, he sought to bid for a WC
C. as premier, he pused first for Docklands (aka Etihad/TelstraDome/Victoria Harbour stadium) to be a rectangular venue,
D. as Hawthorn President/private citizen, earlier this year he continued in principle support
don’t for a minute write him off as an ‘anti-soccer’ pleb.
….now, re the mental health – the important point is that there is recognised ‘depressive’ conditions related to winter and lack of sunlight “Seasonal Affective Disorder”.
Now, soccer in Australia is far removed from this,
however, both the NRL an AFL are very, very important in nursing people through the winter months……perhaps more so in ‘bleak city’ as Sydney boguns like to refer to Melbourne.
Presumably, ex Londoners can associate to this.
AndyRoo said | December 14th 2009 @ 2:20pm | Report comment
Can I discount him because he is a loon though?
Punter said | December 14th 2009 @ 4:53pm | Report comment
Kennett knew so much about football that he wanted Melbourne to bid for the WC, before being told that a country, not a city bids for the WC.
Art Sapphire said | December 14th 2009 @ 2:25pm | Report comment
Michael – during the WC Prozac will be freely available to all AFL supporters suffering from withdrawal.
Collingwood supporters will be using the tried and tested method of 5 litre casks of Coolabah wine or Cougar bourbon.
As you can see, all the contingencies are in place
Redb said | December 14th 2009 @ 2:32pm | Report comment
Won’t need prozac just replays of A league games
Midfielder said | December 14th 2009 @ 3:54pm | Report comment
Mahony
do you have a link
jimbo said | December 14th 2009 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
Spiro,
Good positive article and I’m glad you’ve changed your mind about whether we really wanted a WC or if it was just Rudd the Dud posturing.
I think the fatal blow has already been struck for both 2018 and 2022, particularly when you look at the back pages of major newspapers around the world like the Guardian or New York post with headlines like “England Bid Receives Major Boost From Aussies”.
To host any major tournament in a country you need a certain level of commitment, cooperation and teamwork and we are not expected to get any of that from the NRL or ARL.
FFA and football are seen as competition to their livelihood.
Football is the most loathed sporting code in this country and gets the most amount of public criticism and negative press.
When the Olympics, Rugby World Cup or Rugby League World Cup were played in Australia, hardly a murmur, but a FIFA WC – no sacrifices will be made, particularly form the AFL and Melbourne.
Not just lack of support, but the “end of an AFL season”.
We have come to learn that Melbourne is not the Sporting Capital of Australia it is the AFL Capital of Australia.
The AFL have grand plans for expansion in NSW and Queensland, but after all this controversy they have Ben Buckley’s chance of succeeding.
They have already put the Rugby League people off side and now they’ve put the football folk against them.
My family for one, will never go to an AFL game, watch an AFL game or have anything to do with the AFL or its major sponsors.
Redb said | December 14th 2009 @ 1:51pm | Report comment
This may help:
http://www2.kleenex.com/au/
Michael C said | December 14th 2009 @ 2:14pm | Report comment
RUWC was played around October/November,
who was going to complain other than Cricket or the VRC,
and there were no ground conflicts…(or, was the NSL forced out at all?, I don’t believe the NSL was forced to stop or relocate….not many NSL matches at Telstra Dome!!!)
vastly different scenarios.
However – very true that the Olympics don’t behave in nearly the same market competitor manner as does soccer to both AFL and NRL,
however, keep mindful the Olympics DID include a soccer tournament, and the AFL DID start a month early and finish a month early which provided free access for soccer to the MCG.
Gosh golly!!!!
Bill said | December 14th 2009 @ 4:24pm | Report comment
That’s a bugger Jimbo if you like Toyotas…
jimbo said | December 14th 2009 @ 10:00pm | Report comment
I drive a very nice Holden and I don’t bank with NAB or have anything to do with Telstra.
I think football fans should start voting with their feet and stop supporting an organisation that is out to damage football and its supporters at every opportunity.
Mick said | December 14th 2009 @ 2:37pm | Report comment
In the early 1990’s when Jeff Kennett was premier he wanted the world cup for Victoria……
John said | December 14th 2009 @ 2:50pm | Report comment
Didnt the nrl have to re schedule for the Olympics when sydney had it? I may be wrong but im fairly sure the season started in Febuary so it would be over by the time the olympics started. Perhaps a little simplistic but couldnt the AFL and NRL both start earlier in the year? Seems like the most obvious solution doesnt it? I cant see any reason why this couldnt happen
Ben said | December 14th 2009 @ 3:22pm | Report comment
Yep, but football is a direct competitor, so this time around it’s not love, but war!
The Link said | December 14th 2009 @ 2:51pm | Report comment
Michael Pascoe editor from SMH business wrote an interesting piece. Does he have any affiliations with any code?
http://www.smh.com.au/business/beware-the-coming-soccer-circus-20091214-krcb.html
Redb said | December 14th 2009 @ 2:58pm | Report comment
Very interesting.
More or less what Kennett is saying. Blind faith is useless.
Ben said | December 14th 2009 @ 3:26pm | Report comment
From a purely economic rationalist point of view, then yep, we should probably scrap the bid, but where’s the ambition?
MV Dave said | December 14th 2009 @ 3:33pm | Report comment
More telling than Pascoe’s opinion is the fact that 11 countries have put their hands up to host the 2018/2022 WCs including the USA, England, Spain and Russia. Also in the US alone 27 cities have put their hands up to host games should they win the bid. That tells me the WC is worth the effort of putting in a bid…which is all that is happening to this point.
Michael C said | December 14th 2009 @ 4:20pm | Report comment
various other countries are far, far better placed to host the world cup,
it’d be like Germany declaring an interest to host the Cricket world cup, and people not comprehending that just ‘cos South Africa, Australia, India, Pakistan, England and the West Indies were biddign — can’t comprehend that that doesn’t mean by default it must be a good idea and that Germany really ought have a crack too.
Apart from anything else, the US is made up of a lot of cities with big but under utilised stadia,….i.e. 1 game every couple of weeks or every week at most.
In Australia we have stadia doing 2.3 big matches every week.
The US has 15 times the domestic population as well.
At any rate – - maybe Australia just isn’t suited and therefore, the risks are far greater and the proposition isn’t sustainable.
Just perhaps. All emotion aside, because it is a nice idea. But might just be a stinker of a reality.
AndyRoo said | December 14th 2009 @ 4:29pm | Report comment
If Germany wanted to host the Cricket World cup to the same degree Australia wanted to host the football world cup (ie. it would sell out each match) then why wouldn’t you try and make it work?
Wouldn’t that be a lot better than another world cup in England or Pakistan…. I know I would be for it.
Like the ARU voting for Japan to host the RWC
Punter said | December 14th 2009 @ 4:58pm | Report comment
How true AndyRoo, if you promised that the Cricket World cup would sell out each & every match, like the football WC in Australia would, why wouldn’t a developing cricket nation host the WC.
Michael C said | December 14th 2009 @ 7:38pm | Report comment
alas, zero infrastructure – and the Cricket world cup needs to be played during the Germany soccer season, shutting it down, and re-sizing venues to a rouch oval shape and needs a month to allow drop in pitches to settle and ‘take’…..yup, let’s do it,
did I mention the ICC take all the profits from ticketing and merchandising and venue advertising?
Ruddy pompous ICC fatcats based in ivory towers in Dubai.
AndyRoo said | December 15th 2009 @ 8:43am | Report comment
Michael,
small problems…where you see drama we see oppurtunity
Imagine 30k Germans cheering on the least 17 year old Pakistani Quick who launches a bouncer at Michael Clarke and knocks his helmet off.
The Bundisliga would have to rest for a few weeks sure, but for the next 50 years after that it will go on largely uninterupted.
MV Dave said | December 14th 2009 @ 4:52pm | Report comment
Australia is perfectly placed in regards to time zones for the most populous region on the planet – Asia which will have a much larger population by 2018/2022. Once the chest beating from the AFL/NRL(to a much lesser extent) is over and the general population comes to understand its a sporting comp and not end of life as we know it (Melbourne media portrayal) then the hard work can begin…actually winning the bid.
Should the bid from Oz win the rest will be sorted with satisfaction all around.
Midfielder said | December 14th 2009 @ 6:03pm | Report comment
Correct MV Dave
Art Sapphire said | December 14th 2009 @ 3:43pm | Report comment
It not a matter of whether Pascoe has affiliations with a code. Its besides the point.
Its more a matter of what he knows about the World Cup
Judging by this piece he does not seem to know that much.
Comparing the Olympics to the WC can be quite convenient but way it is way off the mark.
In regards to Sydney 2000 Pascoe writes “But the rich wave of international tourists didn’t really come. The events were generally filled with wonderfully generous Australian fans.”
The football fan is a very different creature to the general sports fan who goes to the Olympics.
Hundreds of thousands of football fans from all around the world have already booked to go Sth Africa and the same will apply if we host the thing.
K B said | December 14th 2009 @ 6:34pm | Report comment
Yep we have 6000 and growing fom Australia that have already booked their tickets to SA 2010… Pretty much says it all … One can imagine that 2 milliion would easily travel to Australia for the 2018 world cup
Midfielder said | December 14th 2009 @ 4:00pm | Report comment
I have just submitted an article to the Roar on the WC … look for it tomorrow or the day after it I think will answer Pascoe’s questuions..
Also given what football is asking I suggest like the FFA are doing… is we accept people have the right to ask questions… after all there is a lot of coin in this overall… under any analysis I have seen it is a goer we need to explain why rather than get caught up in all the BS … remember not every media person wants the WC bid to succeed let them out themselves with silly questions… answer correctly and we win… start fighting and we loose as we are totally out numbered.
mart said | December 14th 2009 @ 7:17pm | Report comment
Spiro – I hope U are right …. and then again …..
My passions are rugby union and football (soccer, wogball, whatever it needs to be called in Oz). You are right that the netx Asia region WC is ours – we have hosted highly successful Olympics and rugby world cups in conditions (clean stadia etc) similar to what is required for a soccer WC, and also the success of the Socceroos in getting to the 2 last WCs virtually guarantees 2022. Or sometime shortly after. I will be an old bastard by then (in my 60s) but I’d love to take the kids along. However….
…. living in Melbourne I dread the fact that England (country of birth) will probably be based here for the group games. I am passionate about football but have refused to see England live due to the horrible atmosphere and worse the “small minority” (yeah right) cause. So I live in fear of us winning a WC and England being stationed here. I’ll spend the tournament apologising. Oddly my passion for rugby somewhat came about by being taken to Twickenham for an Eng 6N game. The whole atmosphere around the game was sensational, it was against Wales and Wales won but the fun / singing etc before / during / after was sensational. Best comment was at 20 mins before the game with a bunch of Welsh lads in a pub downing our beers to rush for kick off … one turned to me and said “shame we have to spoil this banter / beer throught having to go to the game !”. I just wish football fans could be the same – some, in fact most, can admittedly – but all my mates who have attendied Eng games say they resemble Nuremburg rallys.
Overall – please please Sepp and co, give it to us, we deserve it ! Just put Eng in a really hard qualifying group please !!!
Midfielder said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:00pm | Report comment
England, Brazil, France, Italy … ARRRRrrrrrr what a group that would be..
Dan said | December 15th 2009 @ 10:38pm | Report comment
English soccer fans are the ones primarily responsible for giving the games’ fans on a whole a bad name… I don’t know what it is about them, but English Rugby fans just aren’t like that.
Pippinu said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:04pm | Report comment
This represents my final post on the Roar.
I now feel vindicated in describing the FFA bid as one based on deceit.
AFL’s concerns over Cup bid run deep
By Gerard Whateley
Posted December 14, 2009 11:21:00
Updated December 14, 2009 11:59:00
Andrew Demetriou and Ben Buckley are at loggerheads over the Cup bid. (ABC/AAP)
Map: Melbourne 3000
Related Story: Codes at war over World Cup bid
The AFL harbours concerns of a second interrupted season and being booted out of its Melbourne headquarters by world governing body FIFA should Australia be successful in its World Cup bid.
The depth of the AFL’s fears is laid out in correspondence from chief executive Andrew Demetriou to his opposite number at Football Federation Australia, Ben Buckley.
The letter, seen by the ABC, is dated November 24 and is the source of the rift between the organisations.
It was written two weeks before the issues erupted in public. When it hit the front pages, the AFL’s angst was well known to Buckley.
Writes Demetriou:
“The AFL Commission wishes to place on record its extreme disappointment with the lack of accurate and consistent information from the FFA on the implications of the World Cup on the AFL competition and the AFL clubs.
“This lack of clear information and what appears to be indifference frankly, reluctance to help the AFL to ascertain the impact on our competition, is frustrating.
“In addition to questions regarding the MCG and Docklands that fuelled the public bickering last week, the AFL urgently sought clarification as to whether the Confederations Cup, held in the year preceding a World Cup, would force interruptions to the AFL season.
“We also understand that the Confederations Cup is played as a warm-up to the World Cup in the year prior to the World Cup.
“Therefore, the FFA cannot guarantee that the impact on the AFL competition, clubs and their supporters, will not be over two years instead of one as originally advised by the FFA.”
At the conclusion of the three-page letter, the AFL posed nine questions to the FFA:
1. Is it a requirement of the World Cup that no AFL matches can be played in cities hosting World Cup matches for the duration of the World Cup in those cities?
2. Is the AFL competition going to be asked to shut down for 10 weeks to accommodate the World Cup? Given the location of our clubs in the five mainland capital cities, Geelong and from 2011 the Gold Coast, can you please advise what FIFA/FFA is demanding to stage the World Cup and what the precise impact will be on AFL venues in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Geelong, Canberra and the Gold Coast?
3. Has the FFA proposed, or planning to propose that the MCG be redeveloped at a cost of $130 million for the World Cup and be unavailable for AFL matches for 16 weeks in the year of the World Cup?
4. Is FIFA/FFA planning to take over the AFL offices for the duration of the World Cup and if so, for how many weeks?
5. Is FIFA/FFA planning to take over the offices and training facilities of AFL clubs so that they can be used by countries participating in the World Cup?
6. We have read media reports indicating that the FFA estimates that the economic impact of the World Cup in Australia would be some $5.4 billion. In your financial modelling of the World Cup in Australia, have you factored in the impact in the $3.4 billion Australian football contributes to the Australian economy each year if the AFL competition is forced to shut down for 10 weeks and is banned from using the MCG for 16 weeks?
7. Specifically, has the FFA/FIFA budgeted or are you planning to budget to compensate the AFL and its clubs for any loss of revenue for accommodating the World Cup?
8. Is it the intention of FIFA and or the FFA to ask the Federal Government to legislate so that FIFA/FFA can take over venues for the World Cup, the AFL offices and the training and administration bases of AFL clubs so that they can be used by teams competing in the World Cup and to prevent other major sporting competitions playing matches during the period of the World Cup?
9. Will the Confederations Cup be played in Australia the year before the World Cup if Australia’s bid is successful and if so, what will the impact on the AFL competition including what current AFL venues would FIFA/FFA take over for the duration of the Confederations Cup?
Confirming the authenticity of the letter, an AFL spokesman told the ABC:
“We did receive a letter from the FFA responding to Andrew’s letter. It didn’t contain either the detailed information on the impact that a World Cup would have on our season, or the clarification that we were seeking over the use of Etihad Stadium that we were initially told in November 2008 that would remain with the AFL.
“We are still waiting to be informed on how we can run a season concurrently with a World Cup.”
From ABCgrandstand .
Marshall said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:24pm | Report comment
Get over yourself. Everyones entitled to their opinion. No one is right or wrong.
MV Dave said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:33pm | Report comment
According to Buckley the FFA have had 14 meetings with the AFL over the bid. The fact that every minute detail has not been hammered out 6 months from lodgement of the bid and 9-13 years from the tournament would not seem particularly unusual for such a complicated and fluid situation.
This letter no doubt deliberately leaked by an increasingly desperate AFL (losing the public war) smacks of a last big effort to discredit the bid…sorry AFL (and Pip) you will have to do better. Buckley as an ex AFL heavy will make sure the AFL is looked after.
Pip to state the FFA bid is based on deceit is just emotive BS without foundation. Sadly for you Pip the bid will be lodged in May 2010 but you can probably buy a Ben Buckley doll and stick some pins in it if that will make you feel better.
jimbo said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:54pm | Report comment
Exactly MV Dave,
but Demetriou and the AFL decided to continue the discussions on the back page of the Murdoch press instead of organising any meetings with the FFA – no courtesy, just arrogance and fear mongering and trying to cause the biggest damage to the WC bid.
Pip, as usual, is trying to paint the wrong people as the villains here.
North of the Murray, the AFL ceretainly has made a lot of enemies.
Michael C said | December 15th 2009 @ 5:42am | Report comment
ahem Jimbo -
did not you read in Fairfax press back in October that all codes would have to shut down and the FFA was nominating Etihad as required,
and then the FFA hosted FIFA journos at Etihad, and featured the venue in their video to the world,
and I’d suggest that the FFA went well past the back page,
might we suggest – - that if 14 (according to Buckley) meetings have occurred – -
only for the FFA to reneg so publicly over Etihad,
that the lack of courtesy and arrogance is coming directly from the FFA.
……..time lines Jimbo, time lines. The FFA started this very publicly back in October.
Don’t get your knickers in a twist now come December that the AFL has finally said something not all that inconsistant with their constant line of “Support in principle but need to see the detail”, because, in effect – that’s still what Demetriou is saying.
Redb said | December 15th 2009 @ 4:40am | Report comment
I dont think you realise how many neutral AFL fans have become incensed at the comments by soccer zealouts.
The WC is a warm and fuzzy prospect for the majority of AFL fans – you are deluded if you think you are winning the war. Every comment/letter/article in a newspaper putting down AFL as a small suburban game to be swept aside by soccer and the WC just creates more polarisation.
Sure it is going the other way, but soccer fans have always had this giant chip on their shoulders about the AFL and have been far more a vocal minority. I think that is changing and more AFL fans are starting to voice their own ‘chip’ so to speak about soccer.
The FFA have not been clear enough about the details and it is apparent they left the MCG project (16 weeks issue) out there as a possibility for too long. Demetriou called their bluff, Ben Buckley was holding a press conference by 11am that morning. As Bill Lawry would say ” got him yeah”.
The other pertinent fact is all the mud you lot like to throw at the AFL you forget that the CEO of the NRL came out and said basicially the FFA plan is not workable and they need to know a lot more.
So Buckley can release his diary of meetings, so what. It does not mean he has communicated in good faith.
The FFA is on notice to come and play fair.
Redb
Punter said | December 15th 2009 @ 5:37am | Report comment
Likewise with AFL. I don’t mind AFL though my passion is football. But the attitude of AFL by the fans, the media & even their officialis have got me really worried about this holy than thou attitude.
In the way they have approached the West Sydney new team, we come in peace, we can co-exist, we know this is not our turf, but we just want to give the kids an opportunity. Now you compare this to their Nth Korea like defense by especially the media & the fans of any sport, the fear they hold against anyone who may encroaching on their turf.
I have always thought Melbourne was the sporting centre of Australia, I still do especially in the ways they come out in droves to spectate sport, but this past week has shown how insular they really are.
Michael C said | December 15th 2009 @ 5:46am | Report comment
Punter -
there’s a difference in what you describe (rather poetically), and the FFA renegging rather publicly (in press from October, and video presentation to the world in November) on Etihad stadium,
Do you realise the AFL offices are part of the Docklands/Etihad building? Etihad is not just a stand alone stadium.
Buckley knows this.
Tell me that Buckley is a prick who renegged on an understanding with old friend Demetriou (for whom he was best man at his wedding),
or tell me that it must just be Frank Lowy over ruling Ben Buckley.
The AFL has simply stated that Etihad is not on the table. Get over it. Build Swan St to 43,000. Is that too hard???
AndyRoo said | December 15th 2009 @ 9:08am | Report comment
People who are looking to be offended will be offended RedB…. this is about something that is probably a 33% chance of happening in 2022. Not realy a magnet for passive neutrals.
I think you were prepared to take up arms on another thread a few months ago
Has anyone any time ever been pursuaded to think differently by internet comments. Bob from WA has always hated Football and was going to say something negative about the Wcup, ED from Fitzroy has always hated AFL and was going to put in his 5c.
Michael C said | December 15th 2009 @ 5:37am | Report comment
You’re joking right??
Show some moral fibre and question the FFA and Ben Buckley will you,
‘minute details’……what? Like renegging on Etihad???
and…..oh, no, actually, you will have to shut down,
and FIFA have these ‘exclusion zones’, so, you’ve got to vacate your offices at Docklands,
and, oh yeah, hadn’t we mentioned the Confed cup,
…….about time the FFA shows some accountability isn’t it.
Kurt said | December 14th 2009 @ 10:54pm | Report comment
Cheers Pip, all the best. Funny thing is, Jimbo, KB and the other soccer fans genuinely think they’ve had a win here by escalating the rhetoric to a point where people such as yourself can’t be bothered any more. What they don’t get is that we’re the moderates amongst AFL fans! They’ve managed to poison the WC bid to such an extent that it’s dead in the water, meanwhile attendances for their local league continue to plummet. So no WC and soon no A-League. The Roar used to have at least a modicum of civility and humour about it, now it’s just another soccer forum filled with hatred, resentment and bitterness towards Australian Football and Rugby League. Enjoy your victory chaps!
jimbo said | December 14th 2009 @ 11:13pm | Report comment
No one wins out of this except the AFL in the AFL states, because you all think the AFL is so brave to stand up to the FIFA bullies
Meanwhile those who want a FIFA WC in Australia miss out for another 100 years – AFL fans cheering . . .
Pip will be back, he’s written his “last ever post” a few times already . . .
K B said | December 15th 2009 @ 8:02pm | Report comment
Jimbo,
the gals from the CRSL have been also asking about Pippi … “Is it true? Did he say he was leaving—he has said that so many times before”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJoi2QpbiF4
Nice song Pippi boy… and nice note… (Kurt who said the ROAR has lost its humour)
Punter said | December 15th 2009 @ 5:55am | Report comment
Hey Kurt, now that there is NO WC bid & with the A-League is on their last legs, you should be happy. You can feel confident that your constant negative comments on football matters will not be missed as we wallow in our misery.
You have won, no need for you to live in football threads anymore
K B said | December 15th 2009 @ 7:46pm | Report comment
“The Roar used to have at least a modicum of civility and humour about it, now it’s just another soccer forum filled with hatred, resentment and bitterness towards Australian Football and Rugby League. Enjoy your victory chaps”
Kurt … are you serious…?
All of your posts have been on the Football thread—-I actually thought you were one of us—a Football Zealot… I had no idea your preferred code was Marn Grooky…. 
~~~~~~~
KB
AndrewM said | December 15th 2009 @ 9:10am | Report comment
Good riddance pip!
K B said | December 15th 2009 @ 8:21pm | Report comment
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ bed time… Pippi I shall wake you up for the opening of 2018 FIFA WC ceremony….
~~~~~~
KB
matty1974 said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:28pm | Report comment
Good on you Spiro for your timely article. When Australia is announced as host of the 2022 WC next December, there will be several reaons for the bid winning, most of which are covered in the FFA’s excellent bid booklet distributed in South Africa. As mentioned before, we have no credible opposition amongst our competitors in Asia. The USA is the only threat, but the fact they cannot adequately service both the Asian and European TV markets, as well as their relatively recent hosting in 1994 will go against them. This article also shows that they have other issues to deal with as well.
PRETORIA, South Africa — FIFA president Sepp Blatter renewed his call for Major League Soccer to adopt an August-May schedule, saying it will struggle to persuade more star players to follow David Beckham to the United States unless it matches its season to those in Europe.
Blatter said that the current March-October season was the overwhelming reason that the MLS cannot compete with Europe’s top leagues.
“There is one big problem there and they know, the organizers know, that as long as you don’t have your own stadia in the MLS, you have to use stadia from another sport, which is American football,” Blatter said. “With the season played from March to October, you are not in the so-called good international season. The result is that you will not attract star players from Europe to play for only six or seven months, with the exceptional case of Beckham.”
Beckham joined the Los Angeles Galaxy from Real Madrid in July 2007 but was loaned to AC Milan from January through the end of the Italian season last month to better his chances of maintaining a spot on England’s national team.
Beckham is set to rejoin the Galaxy for its July 16 game at the New York Red Bulls. Citing that 17 of the U.S. Confederations Cup players are based outside the U.S., Blatter said Beckham is likely to be MLS’s sole star import for the foreseeable future.
“Your best players play in Europe,” Blatter said. “You take your 23 players here and most of them play in Europe, so this is not the right solution for MLS.”
MLS commissioner Don Garber agrees with Blatter in theory. By next season, 12 of the 16 teams will control their own venues, all but Washington’s RFK Stadium, Houston’s Robertson Stadium, Kansas City’s Community America Ballpark and San Jose’s Buck Shaw Stadium.
“We regularly evaluate all aspects of our competition, including the timing and format of our season,” Garber said in a statement. “Because of the extreme winter weather in many of our markets in the U.S. and Canada, a switch to the international calendar would pose many challenges for MLS and its fans. I am convinced that the time will come when we do adapt to the international calendar. I just don’t believe that time is in the foreseeable future.”
Soccer’s governing body demanded that the United States create a national league as one of its conditions for awarding the country the right to host the 1994 World Cup. The MLS began in 1996 and Blatter said organizers had long been aware of the problems regarding the clash in calendars. MLS routinely schedules matches on international fixture dates.
“They have to play and adapt themselves to the international calendar,” Blatter said. “If they do that, they can have success. I spoke several times and I spoke on this 10 years ago when I was still secretary general and nothing has changed in the USA.”
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=656100&cc=3888
Not exactly a glowing endorsement from Mr Blatter.
Tifosi said | December 14th 2009 @ 10:15pm | Report comment
And as the americans keep telling him,
try playing in chicago and toronto in minus 15 degree weather.
Blatter is an idiot. He just doesnt listen
SideShowBob said | December 14th 2009 @ 9:33pm | Report comment
Sorry to hear you go Pip. You were a beacon of reasonable and rational thinking in a dark storm full of frothing-at-the-mouth ignorance and self-interest. Happy retirement.
Tifosi said | December 14th 2009 @ 10:11pm | Report comment
I disagree. USA will be getting 2022
FIFA can’t lose by giving the USA the world cup in 2022. The americans have already proved once before they are more than willing to watch this level of soccer and pack out stadiums.
They don’t have to do a thing in terms of infrastructure, everything is done. You really think FIFA will pass up on Dallas Cowboy Stadium for say Newcastle?
Australia’s bid at the moment is a lot of smoke and mirrors. The penny will drop for them when they have to submit the bid book. No hiding anymore. You really think FIFA will be impressed by a bunch of Oval stadia?
Do you really think this will impress them? Seeing games from so far away.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CG-MelbCricketGround-Pano.jpg
Can FIFA be 100 % sure that Australians will embrace the tournament when the average ticket price will be over $100?
Can FIFA be sure that Australians would even turn up if you tell them the codes they follow have to be shut down?
Remember we are only 22 million, not 300 million.
If 2022 goes to USA its almost dead certain Asia gets 2026.
Remember if Asia gets 2022, China cant get it until 2034.
Do you really think FIFA will wait that long? In what will be the second biggest economy in the world?
Its not happening.
Oh and England wont be getting 2018.
Chuq said | December 14th 2009 @ 10:43pm | Report comment
I just wanted to say what an awesome MCG photo that is!
jimbo said | December 14th 2009 @ 11:10pm | Report comment
Tifosi,
if England won’t be getting 2018, then who will?
AndrewM said | December 15th 2009 @ 9:18am | Report comment
Tifosi you are so far wide of the mark it is not even funny.. Your comments are ridiculous to say the least.
Fifa doesnt care if the intrastructure exists, all it cares about is that it WILL exist at the time of the tournament.. It is probably preferable that the country which hosts the WC is putting an investment towards bettering the game, ie the intrastructure.
Oval stadia is fine even Germany had oval stadia because it was played out of olympic stadiums. No big deal.
The sydney olympics.. is the SYDNEY olympics we had a population of 3.5 million.. And we sold out pretty much EVERY event even bloody badminton.. Im pretty sure the Football WC played AROUND australia will have NO issues.. And will be pretty much sold out in a instant.. Dont forget travelling fans will also snap up tickets to.
England will definately be getting the 2018 WC.. They are the home of football and have the worlds strongest competition.. No other place in Europe deserves it over England.
Tifosi said | December 15th 2009 @ 3:52am | Report comment
Jimbo The rest of europe hates the fact the English Premier league is now all powerful. If England get the world cup it will help them even more.
Im thinking Russia.
Redb said | December 15th 2009 @ 4:55am | Report comment
More proof soccer is shooting itself in the foot over its bid.
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/empty-seats-put-heat-on-world-cup-bid-20091214-ksb7.html
matty1974 said | December 15th 2009 @ 5:44am | Report comment
Tifosi, heard of the Chicago Bears? I’m pretty sure that they are a team in the NFL, which happens to be played during the USA winter. The reason the MLS is played in their summer, is exactly the same reason the A league is played in our summer, so as not to take on the dominant football codes head on. Lucky for us we are able to do this and still fit in with the international football calender. If FIFA want a WC in China before 2034, they will just change the rules about rotation, which are not exactly set in stone. Having a domestic league that sometimes struggles is yet another reason we will win the bid. When the USA was given the 1994 WC, they did not even have a pro league. Check out South Africa’s premier league attendances. They are on a par with and usually lower than the A league. Giving the WC to countries who need a leg up is all part of FIFA’a plan to grow the game around the world.
Aka said | December 15th 2009 @ 5:52am | Report comment
It’s interesting to note the contrast in styles of Gallop and Demetriou. Gallop has stated that they are not happy with the bid at present but will work through the issues, and does not intend to obstruct the bid. Demetriou on the other hand can only say that they have worked with the Commonwealth games and the olympics in the past. (We know the AFL’s relationship with football in the past too) and otherwise seeks to derail the bid.
And Redb, isn’t the fact that that so many Australian’s travel to the World Cup, (per capita, probably the highest of all countries) proof that there is a great desire for Australia to experience the world cup rather than a round where the smaller clubs are hosting all the games?
Michael C said | December 15th 2009 @ 9:26am | Report comment
Aka -
apparently October is too far gone to remember, however, Gallop described it as unworkable and club chiefs threatened a revolt. At the time, the Demetrioiu quotes were “We haven’t yet seen a detailed explanation from the FFA as to what would be required from other major sporting organisations in Australia, so I would rather wait to see that,”
Back in October it was Gallop going that step further “We will obviously wait until they do that, but on the face of it we couldn’t see how it would work,”
Even now – some NRL club bosses have suggested that it could be the death knell for cash-strapped outfits.
Carefully look at what Demetriou has been saying even just this last week:
-You can have the MCG for up to 10 weeks, but, anymore would kill the AFL season – - – fair enough.
- still supports the bid in principle (a nice diplomatic line!! and granted – it’s easy to say this if you are pretty certain that the detail will be unworkable)
-You can’t have Etihad, (after all, apart from anything else, the AFL offices are within the complex – - and the new 100% Govt funded Swan St stadium was trumpeted by State Govt as being able to be expanded for a World Cup),
the AFL are not blocking the bid at this point – - it’s the FFA and Vic State Govt who seemingly don’t want to spend some dollars on a dedicated rectangle stadium to do to it what they said all along would be done to it………..this may not mean much outside of Victoria,
but, apart from anything else – it’s not the AFL’s issue to fix or to work around.
and remember again, the AFL started/ended season 2000 1 month early – - – for the Olympics, which freed up the MCG to be used for Olympic Soccer matches.
The Answer said | December 15th 2009 @ 6:52pm | Report comment
Surprise, surprise, Spiro backs another fairfax writer.
It is nteresting that Ray Gatt of the Australian, who has been around just as long as Cockerill, believes damage has been done by the in fighting and felt Australia may have lost their chance, while the Herald’s Richard Hinds points out lots of good will was lost by the antics of the sneering mass of soccer fans proclaiming their code will eventually conquer the country (while continually ignoring their own league).
Will those deciding the bid look at domestic crowds?
Good luck to you Spiro, you made your predictions, we’ll all remember them come December next year…while in the meantime we’ll no doubt read dozens more articles from Cockerill fawning over Frank Lowy and moaning about feral sports editors running league and AFL stories over the A-League.
MV Dave said | December 15th 2009 @ 7:47pm | Report comment
Going by the tone of your post it would appear you are against the WC in Oz…doesnt really matter l guess but it would be nice to have more support from the other codes. No doubt the FFA would support any bids for the AFL or RL WCs.
BTW The fact that Football in Oz does need some assistance in promotion and to show off the best talents live to a new audience is a very strong positive for the Oz bid plus the small factor of hundreds of millions of Asian fans able to watch in the same time zones.
BTW2 Most of the moaning (certainly in Melbourne anyway)in the last week or so has come from the AFL and their compliant media strategically timed to take the attention away from the WC draw and the Socceroos.
matty1974 said | December 15th 2009 @ 7:40pm | Report comment
Ray Gatt is a relic from ‘old soccer’ and easily the worst football journalist in Australia. The thing is, the opinions of Ray Gatt, the doubters on this site and all the one eyed AFL/NRL fans, NRL/AFL media journalists, Andrew D etc really don’t matter. The only people whose opinions matter are the 24 FIFA EXCO members. I promise you, the oppostion to the bid from sections of the AFL & NRL communties are not going to convince them to miss the opportunity to have a WC in Aus. If they even bother paying any attention to the whingeing or the lower crowds in the A league they will somply come to the conclusion that there are even more compelling reasons to help out the FFA by giving us a WC. The anti WC campaign began with the ridiculous beat up about TImmy Cahill on the sunday that the WC bid was launched last June. The anti WC hysteria and whingeing will continue right up to Dec 2010, so we all better get used to it, though it is starting to get very boring.
Redb said | December 15th 2009 @ 8:09pm | Report comment
You miss the point. It’s not anti WC.
It’s anti the FFA plan for the AFL and NRL competitions in a host year. Get it?
Trust me the FFA will negotiate with both comps for the best outcome for all whether soccer fans like it or not.
jimbo said | December 15th 2009 @ 11:07pm | Report comment
One of the options is not to play any games in Melbourne at all and build new rectangular stadiums north of the Murray which suits us just fine.
Its just all the negative hype from the AFL that has been picked up by the international press.
Don’t worry, Demetriou will get his back when he tries to play some AFL games in Sydney and start a new team up here.
Redb said | December 16th 2009 @ 3:40am | Report comment
yeah like people like you were going to give the AFL a go anyway?
There is no way the MCG will not form part of the WC bid – but by all means pointlessly lobby the FFA about that.
pH said | December 15th 2009 @ 8:31pm | Report comment
By 2022 peak oil will have well and truly hit – aviation fuel and air tickets could be 10-fold current cost. There is a risk of only the rich being able to come. We pay $5billion of taxpayers money (or more – see recent press) and half fill many games with only Aussies. A financial nightmare.
The world in 2022 would be better to go to USA.
Best is to change bid to joint Australia-Indonesia bid. This would meet Lowy’s main pitch to FIFA to take the game to Asia. It would half costs or more – as wouldn’t have to build extra stadia so much. It would allow some justice to the AFL and NRL so they won’t be ordered out of their stadia by government decree at behest of their competitor the FFA and create such a sour taste re the WC for vast numbers of AFL and NRL fans and financial hardship, job losses and club failures for AFL and NRL – unless government comes up with another half billion compensation.
A joint bid would leave lasting benefits for Indonesia-Australia relations. Far better than stadia that sit like white elephants.
UEFA cup has had valid bids from dual countries – UEFA 2008 by Scotland-Ireland, 2016 by Norway-Sweden.
Alternative bid would be ANZ bid – seeing as A-League and FFA really are both ANZ bodies – why was NZ left out – in order to purposely not have enough stadia so AFL and NRL could be hacked???
But ANZ bid would still have trouble from peak oil and vastly higher air fares than we enjoy today.
pH said | December 15th 2009 @ 8:35pm | Report comment
BTW should’ve mentioned – Indonesia is bidding for 2022 – it will divide the Asia vote in FIFA and make it more likely for USA to get the WC.
Thus another extremely good reason for FFA to liaise with Indonesia FA – as chances of actually getting the thing would go up.
But FFA wants to unfairly cripple its business rivals with taxpayer dollars and by government decree.
This may well end up in the High Court and sad and embarrassing for the whole nation.
FFA should’ve consulted properly before submitting the bid. But Lowy thinks as richest man in the nation he can do what he likes and furthermore make both sides of politics do what he likes.
MV Dave said | December 15th 2009 @ 8:39pm | Report comment
You truly have no idea! What a load of bollocks…you forgot to add ‘The Sky is Falling’ and ‘Pigs Might Fly’!
matty1974 said | December 15th 2009 @ 9:06pm | Report comment
Gabba, SCG, Geelong’s stadium, AAMI, Oval stadia in Tasmania & NT, Manuka, Etihad & probably Subiaco, Skilled park (maybe),Mt Smart stadium, bluetounge, Win stadium, Penrith Stadium, Parramatta Stadium, Oki Jubilee, Brookvale oval, Toyota stadium, Hindmarsh stadium, Members Equity stadium, Leichardt oval, campbelltown stadium (have i missed any?) all hosted AFL or NRL matches this year and will not be required for the 2022 Australian FIFA World Cup. Throw in ANZ and ballymore in brisbane and proposed new AFL stadia in Blacktown and possibly melbourne and that makes at least 25 stadia available to NRL and AFL. If the admistrators of these codes can’t figure out a way to run their comps in 2022, then i reckon the fans of these codes shoud demand they step down. I am happy for the AFL and NRL to benefit from the biggest sporting event on the planet, at the very least they will benefit from upgraded facilities. If they are smart they will seize the opportunity to introduce overseas sport fans to their games. They will be permitted to run their comps against the WC, it is only events of major international importance that are not permitted. It remains to be seen if they feel it is in their best interests. Of course it is convienient to blame FFA, FIFA, the government for the fact that a lot more people will be more interested in the WC than the AFL or NRL at this time. The Timmy Cahill beat up, the hysteira about FIFA ‘overtaking our cities’ etc are noting to do with the NRL/AFL and everything to do with an anti WC agenda from the the country that is widely seen as the most passionate sporting nation in the world. Relax, the NRL and AFL will survive the WC and we will all have the greatest party ever in 2022.
Midfielder said | December 15th 2009 @ 10:44pm | Report comment
Spirio
Remember we are chasing and hoping to get the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAVqknI7GGI
Brian said | December 15th 2009 @ 10:52pm | Report comment
I think the US will get 2022, and FIFA will have their eye on China for 2026. Having said that the hyperbole coming from the AFL and lapped up by the pro-AFL media has been sickening.
Demitriou claimed that the whole season may need to be scrapped. Yet no-one asked why he couldn’t play in early March with a GF in October. Further, he said the WC would threaten thie viability of AFL clubs. Given that his organisation has been the biggest danger to Melbourne’s AFL clubs this is quite amusing. The AFL did kill Fitzroy and had similar designs on NM.
What’s sad is that not one journalist asked him why the whole season would be cancelled. Even if the MCG & Dome were unavailable for 10 weeks does anyone thing the AFL would cancel the season?
I also doubt this “skirmish” was not planned for December when no AFL is being played. The idea is for the WC bid to die whilst us football supporters forget the fuss by the time following the AFL comes around again in March, and especially in September
pH said | December 16th 2009 @ 9:23am | Report comment
Sorry Brian et al but the damage to AFL and NRL is real and unfair in current proposal – see http://barklystend.blogspot.com/2009/12/australian-government-supports-foreign.html
I think the idea of teaming with Indonesia has a lot of merit as above – it will stop the Asian vote being split and give us a good chance over USA for 2022.
Matty 1974 – utter bulls**t I’m sorry to say – because from the AFL’s perspective you include Etihad and “probably Subiaco” as available to the AFL during a FIFA World Cup. Demetriou made very clear that if this was the case then no real problems – some minor negotations about compensation for other losses. But without Etihad it cripples an AFL season and affects revenue for years around that season – again see the barklystend blogspot. So Matty 1974 Demetriou is in agreement with you if you’re statement was correct, sadly at present it is not and the FFA threatens to get government to decree that AFL get evicted from their stadium.
MV Dave – maybe the world will cope with the looming energy crisis and coming permanent oil shock. My heart says yes, my head after reading about this for years and talking to several oil engineers tells me we’re in for big changes and cheap airfares will be a distant memory by 2022.
Art Sapphire said | December 16th 2009 @ 9:28am | Report comment
Is this the ghost of Pippinu coming back to The Roar to flog his own blog
pH said | December 16th 2009 @ 9:41pm | Report comment
No I’m not pippinu, and I don’t know who “Mr Football” is who does the blog. It may be out of date on the ticket sales, but the other points made strike me as fair, and I had thought of them also when Demetriou described the situation with Etihad. Buckley implying the FFA would lobby the govt to evict the AFL from their own HQ and stadium alarmed me, not just as an AFL fan but as a citizen.
The peak oil and likely demise of cheap long haul flights is a scary fact of life and should be factored in to everything, let alone a World Cup in the antipodes 13 years from now.