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A group of Australian supporters will stage a pub World Cup on home soil following FIFA’s decision to award the 2022 tournament to Qatar.
Australia was knocked out in the first round of voting by FIFA executives in Zurich last Friday (AEST) to decide the World Cup hosts, despite having one of the strongest technical bids.
A group of Aussie fans, known as Aussies On Tour FC, have now launched Reclaim the Game – Pub World Cup in protest to FIFA’s decision.
Under the name International Pub Football Association (IPFA), the football fans from Sydney, Canberra, Gold Coast and Bathurst plan to stage a tournament each year until 2022.
The fans, who have travelled to the past two World Cups to follow the Socceroos, want the tournament to grow and eventually involve teams from overseas.
In the past the group has organised games against local teams in Germany during the 2006 World Cup and against an ex-pats team in Thailand during the 2007 Asian Cup.
They also played in a five-a-side tournament in Durban before Australia’s opening game of the 2010 World Cup.
Reclaim the Game – Pub World Cup will be open to all football supporters and involve seven-a-side games over one weekend in a regional city.
The cost to players will be limited to ensure the tournament to open to all football fans, but a donation will also be made to charity yet to be decided.
“We all know Australia would put on a great World Cup, so we want to prove it,’’ co-ordinator Terry Hands said.
“Following the decision to give the World Cup to Qatar we want to put something on that will be a bit of fun for fans.
“In the future we’d like to get teams from each Confederation involved, but are happy to start off small.”
Players or teams interested in being part of the tournament can register their interest via the Facebook, Twitter or supporter website kickoff.com.au
After gauging interest from teams, a location for the first Reclaim the Game – Pub World Cup will be decided.
Facts about Reclaim the Game – Pub World Cup:
• Seven-a-side tournament to be played over one weekend.
• First tournament to be held late 2011 in a regional city.
• Each subsequent tournament to be hosted by a different city to be decided by the players.
• Aim to build the tournament up to eventually involve international teams.
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