In what must go down as one of the most outrageous pieces of anti-World Cup hysteria ever seen in the mainstream media, Herald Sun readers awoke to discover that the city of Melbourne was to be taken over by a threat greater than the Martians.
Yes, FIFA, the omnipotent alien organisation will order that “all Melbourne bars would be granted late-night opening in a push by global soccer chiefs to seize control of our city if Australia hosts the World Cup”.
Is the Herald Sun implying, that we Australians, unlike most Western civilisations have trouble holding our drink and as a result, this FIFA edict could leave us disturbingly legless.
This demand plus many other “onerous” conditions as reported by the paper can be found in FIFA’s World Cup Host City Agreement.
According to the Herald Sun, the very fabric of Melbourne is under threat because during the hosting of the World Cup Melbourne will:
“Lose any road or restrict public access to roads at any time during the event.”
“Devote special traffic lanes and provide police escorts for FIFA officials, teams and VIP guests.”
“Keep airports open later into the night and open them early in the morning.”
“Give special treatment to preferred commercial partners, potentially costing locals work.”
And alarmingly, “Turn the city into a cultural desert by banning substantial cultural events – such as music concerts – on the days before or after matches.”
FIFA, just like the IOC, would have similar conditions in place to ensure their tournament runs smoothly and to also deliver on their commercial agreements. The recent spat the AFL had over the naming of Etihad Stadium being a very recent example.
But, this outrageously over the top piece can only be seen as yet another tiresome World Cup fear mongering by the unofficial propaganda arm of the AFL.
Will it ever end?
Well, sadly if you live in Melbourne, the answer is: No!
jimbo
Guest
The Olympics was an enormous benefit to Sydney and the site is now a 100 hectare city treasure that countless generations will enjoy. http://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/Visiting/venues_and_parks/bicentennial_park From Jodi McKay NSW Minister for Tourism. “ . . . tourists spent $29 billion in NSW last year and tourism is directly responsible for 157,802 jobs in the state. This is more spending than in Queensland ($21.6 billion) or Victoria ($16.9 billion) . . . and more direct jobs, 267,448 jobs in NSW (Queensland:118,900 Victoria:102,180 ) bringing an even greater economic benefit to the state. This new data leaves no doubt that tourism in NSW generates more benefits and has a greater positive impact on the Australian economy than any other State.” But we all know MC is an expert on what’s bad about Football, Crowd Figures, World Cups and Tourism . . .
captain nemo
Roar Guru
Victoria is the North Korea of the free world. Bloody embarressing. I see that micheal C continues to point out that NSW are a domestic tourism backwater now post sydney Olympics. Mate, the NSW economy and slow down in domestic tourism has had nothing to do with Sydney hosting the games. moreso to do with the State governments attrocious performance and the lack of an alternative at election time. Sydneysiders are pissed to put it nicely with the way the state has been mismanaged (to put it nicely also,) regarding our economy and future planning of public infrastructure. MC, I have said it before and I will say it again, you guys come across as if you are brain washed!!!
realfootball
Guest
That clip is priceless - thanks for the link. Love the bit about Sam Newman covered in baby oil.
MV Dave
Guest
Obviously havent read it in the last 30 years.
Punter
Guest
Think Swans, think Iron Chef!!!!
Punter
Guest
Steady on chap,, we in Britain love the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour bridge & especially Bondiii beach.
VooDoo
Guest
Two more clubs in the comp will dilute the crowds further. It's barely better than the NSL.
VooDoo
Guest
"Best football experience" isn't correlated to the numbers watching it. Australian Idol outrates Last Night of the Proms, but the singers certainly aren't as good.
VooDoo
Guest
And yet it complains that it isn't being afforded respect by the other codes. I'd have thought that 130 years would have been long enough for soccer to get its act in gear, acquire some infrastructure and crowds, and end their dependence upon the other codes to keep their sport viable in Australia. I doubt that the A-League would be viable if they didn't have other codes underwriting their venues.
Punter
Guest
Maybe you should visit the football tabs abit more Redb, while AFL is it, there is no more. There is more support out there for football than just Melbourne Victory or even the A-League.
VooDoo
Guest
The Herald-Sun isn't a mouthpiece of the AFL, it's a Melbourne media outlet, expressing the opinion of Melburnians. News Ltd. bankrolls the Melbourne Storm, and gives them a great deal of coverage. I hardly think that would be consistent with a rag that is supposedly an AFL mouthpiece.
VooDoo
Guest
What should we care what people in the UK think of Australian states? You can't make a credible case that the AFL is hurting Melbourne's international reputation, when every second post on this site reiterates that nobody outside Australia recognises what the AFL is or knows about the sport.
Redb
Roar Guru
Craig Foster is 'qualified' to write about soccer I suppose. :-)
Redb
Roar Guru
A lot of people are interested in the rookie stories, newspapers dont bother unless they perceive an audience. The AGE sponsors Melbourne Victory and gives them pretty good coverage. But I remind you for scale, the AFL has 400,000 club members, the A League has 20,000 members. 20 to 1. This is an undeniable interest to be satisfied. Redb
Axelv
Guest
I don't know what Richard Hinds is, SMH and The Age are almost exactly the same. btw - Greg Baum might be pretty good for you as he represents your perspective, but his not qualified to write any articles about soccer. btw - presenting accurate factual stats in itself is not soccer bashing, but your choice and presentation of your stats to target soccer is. It saddens me that you do this.
AndyRoo
Guest
Axelv It's not something I would normally do....if I ever caught myself saying "the Quantas young Socceroos" I would die of shock. I do call Langpark just "Suncorp" now so it's funny what gets through and what doesn't. Their is no way I would say the word Hyundai out loud but in print I put HAL all the time without realising what I did until you mentioned it.
Axelv
Guest
Hyundai have paid extra cash to plug their name into the A-League, but it doesn't mean you have to use it. Sponsors change and come and go all the time. E.g Remember calling it Colonial Stadium, then Telstra Dome, and now it's Etihad Stadium. If you call it Docklands Stadium, you're not compelled to advertise for a corporation and you can never be wrong!
Michael C
Roar Guru
btw - I picked up HAL as the 'done' terminology back on the Flog (SMH). Now - on terminology, what's with V1, V2....etc, in 30 years time it won't be V35 will it?? btw - the AFL section on here is pretty weak, unless I submit an article there myself!!! ;-) seriously though.....over the last week - the border b/w the tabs seemed pretty blurred as everything was the same topic. btw - Greg Baum is usually pretty good, Richard Hinds I'd never heard of until recently and he's Sydney based isn't he? Does a bit of this, a bit of that...... btw - was I soccer bashing for providing accurate factual statistics?? It saddens me you feel this way.
Michael C
Roar Guru
what do they say about there's not such thing as bad publicity!!! before that though, there was some quite nice coverage, even in the Sunday paper regards the 2010 WC draw etc. Just exploded on Monday......
AndyRoo
Guest
Um even I call it the HAL....gotta plug the sponser Axelv :) CEO's if your looking no other code gives as good a name recognition as us!