AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou (R) addresses the media. Slattery Images
In Germany 2006, a cumulative 37.8 billion people watched the tournament. Expenses included, Germany made a profit of $1.7 billion. In either 2018 or 2022, Australia could possibly have this kind of global audience and profit. So why not let it happen?
The drama that unfolded last year in November was just the beginning of a long a painful battle with the AFL and Andrew Demetriou. It is a battle which may finally have come to an end.
But what are the consequences?
I acknowledge that every sport is permitted to defend it’s patch of grass and fight for its interests. However, declaring stadiums off limits and making false allegations against FFA to persuade the media against them is not defending your patch.
As a football fan, I do not believe that just because it is the World Game, that all other sports are rubbish by comparison. Nor do I believe that because football is comfortably the most played game in the world, that it should have to be forced upon all Australians.
All that is needed is mutual respect between the sports.
The recent chest beating by Andrew Demetriou about AFL being the most popular sport in the country is not mutual respect. Just because you are the dominant sport doesn’t mean that you override all other sports and have the final say on everyting.
Football is already very much a sport segregated by the media.
In Brisbane’s Courier Mail, for example, you have to turn several pages into the newspaper to find news on football. When the Socceroos play, they are often further into the paper than the news of a Broncos training session.
Is this a lack of pride in Australia?
This is a lack of support of a national team by the media, solely because of the sport they play.
So what has been really frustrating is that the AFL can’t cope with being second fiddle for two months. TWO MONTHS!
Although they may argue that they are simply protecting their code, where was all the drama when the Rugby World Cup possessed stadiums in 2003?
As for the venue choice for the World Cup, hats off to FFA for semi-snubbing Melbourne. Let’s see them come crying to FFA when they make half the profit that Sydney does during the tournament.
Moonface
Roar Guru
The soccer world cup would be the most open and competitive of any football competition in the world today. At Germany 06, Italy went into the tournament as the 14th ranked FIFA nation and came out as number 1. 10-15 teams have a chance again to be world champions, but the Socceroos are probably not going to win it this time.
Andys
Guest
Similar thought last night watching the first rugby semi. Looking at Orlando Stadium, it makes most stadia being put forward by Australia appear pretty poor for watching soccer. It is even good for crowds of 40k, yet they had the luxury of only including it as a practice ground for this years WC. We really just don't have the infrastructure to do justice an event of such profile justice, and I wonder whether the real message sent around the world to all those viewers wearing their soccer-coloured glasses would be "Nice place, but a bit backward for sport facilities".
roarlover34
Roar Pro
"The World Cup starts ... in June and there's four or five weeks of securitising it, putting signage up," Demetriou said. "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'd have to cancel the season." Following these accusations from the AFL Ben Buckly said: "We've never asked the AFL to shut down their season; we've only outlined to them the various FIFA requirements to host a World Cup," Buckley said at a press conference yesterday. source: http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/118302,ffa-refute-afl-world-cup-claims.aspx Happy?
drew777
Roar Pro
well you are entitled to your opinion but I doubt many will agree with that... maybe even less than 10% this time? ;)
drew777
Roar Pro
Pay TV is the reason kids miss A-League matches, not because they would not be interested. And where do you teach? Is it typically a rugby stronghold?
drew777
Roar Pro
And friendly banter is fine. I have no problem with that, what I have a problem with is that biased, one eyed, self righteous know it alls conclude a point when completely ignoring the side of the argument on which they stand; taking a moral high ground when, in this case, league and afl dish out as much as soccer do.
drew777
Roar Pro
I doubt the African nations play tennis, but yes, Rugby is slowly getting there. Will be interesting to see how it performs in South America.
drew777
Roar Pro
and you are assuming soccer is not played everywhere? ok name one place where soccer is not played. Antarctica does not count.
Michael C
Guest
Roarlover!! are you out there??? Please come and defend your accusations (contained within the article).
MV Dave
Guest
Gee Shodan...be devastated to lose such a passionate Sokkah supporter as youself LOL
rugbyfuture
Roar Guru
after seeing this and kniwing that china or someone other than qatar was gonna get one of the years, i fear australia won't get it http://gizmodo.com/5544402/five-amazing-solar-stadiums-to-be-hopefully-built-in-qatar-for-2022-fifa-world-cup
The Guru
Guest
Rugby is also an international sport with their own world cup. They understand how these things roll.
VootballKid
Roar Rookie
Ahh, Etihad, not Emirates. Yes, I hated the Japanese multi-purpose stadiums including Yoko. Berlin Olympic not so bad. I think stadiums like Old Trafford are best.
Alders
Guest
Ah we really that insecure that we so desperately need the worlds focus?
Alders
Guest
I understand it will have increased Dave but look at where we were 12 years ago. Not substantially different in Sydney anyway. There is hardly a population exodus to Canberra. We already have one 20,000 seat stadium that is never used. No team is going to get 45,000 in Canberra for a very long time yet. In any case you would be better building over the old one. As for Sydney the RL and FC are lucky if they break 15,000 a game let alone 25,000 which the waratahs rarely get either. Finals are obviously different but there are two other stadiums for that. On current attendance figures RL will be lucky to touch 25,000 in 20 years. FC will be lucky to touch that in 20 years. The unpredictability stems from what many perceive as flaws in the game rather than the talent between sides being remotely equal. If Australia doesn't make it to the second round this time I will eat my shoes. I'd love to see how much money we spend on football compared to Serbia and Ghana. All the best to them though Dave. When they get through they will deserve it. Lets hope for at least two wins this time. I'd put money on us drawing with Germany at least.
MV Dave
Guest
Canberra stadium would be used by the RL, RU and HAL teams...hardly white elephant. Blacktown likewise with use from HAL and RL teams plus no doubt some RU use...hardly white elephant. Also Oz population will have increased significantly in 12 years time. The beauty of the WC is that to so many countries can beat so many others on a given day. It is a tournament littered with such underdog results. Socceroos in 2006 reaching last 16, South Korea in 2002 reaching the semi's...do you really think the tens of millions of Koreans out watching in the town squares were questioning game quality as they beat Spain, Italy etc? Top quality will be on show but that alone does not make a tournament...the unpredictability adds the extra dimension...this is where the WC stands alone.
Alders
Guest
45,000 seat stadium for Canberra. 25,000 Blacktown stadium. But it means the quality is not as good. What, are there 9 or 10 teams that could maybe win the world cup? Better than Rugby's 6 or maybe 7 and crickets 4 or 5 granted.
Alders
Guest
Before it Australians were humble and happy with their tiny place in the world. After it we came under the impression that we were in the big league. Really important. Everything to do with Australia became 'best in the world'. The smugness is monumental.
MV Dave
Guest
" I do think the stadiums will all be white elephants though " Which stadiums are these? Care to list them? "Why don’t they just use the top 30 odd ranked teams in the world? Some of the teams at the world cup are of questionable value it seems." Unlike other WCs there are more countries playing than positions available. Therefore the world is split into regions and each region allocated a number of finalists who can qualify. This is the fairest system but does mean nations such as Holland, England, Uruguay etc have missed out on playing in WCs. Thats what makes the WC qualifying games played across 2 years so interesting, important and cut throat. Some of the most memorable games ever played have been WC qualifyers...eg will never forget Socceroos vs Iran 1997 at the MCG.
Alders
Guest
I am more than happy for us to have the World Cup. I do think the stadiums will all be white elephants though and I am not particularly fussed as to whether it happens or not. It would be nice though. I think that is probably what the vast majority of Australians think. Just out of interest, Why don't they just use the top 30 odd ranked teams in the world? Some of the teams at the world cup are of questionable value it seems.