FIFA World Cup 2018 Bid [Russia] and 2022 [Qatar]

[Amir]

Football is a global sport and should be spread around - not just kept in a restricted group amongst nations that are competitive - that is an absurd suggestion

Many teams have made themselves a formidable team prior to getting a WC. Australia is a decent team, yet to host a World Cup. Just makes sense to at least make WC once. Plenty of ways to spread game, not just one method.

 

[Wiji]

What about a competitive football team? Can they build that too?

You would be surprised. They have a very competitive and very organised football league and youth systems. The Emir is a huge sports fan himself. That's why Qatar hosts major events in most of the major sports. The sports facilities in this country are already world-class.

For anyone doubting the football passion in this country, go watch the highlights for the Brazil vs Argentina friendly. The stadium was packed, and the atmosphere was fantastic.

For all those talking about the capacity of Qatar to hold so many tourists. I say this. 12 years is a very, very long time in the Middle East. The amount of development that will take place between now and then is unimaginable.

 

[Theo_14]

I just don't understand how Russia and Qatar won the bids - I mean what more are England suppose to do to show that they are good enough to be hosting the World cup.

Interesting to see whether Qatar can turn their projects into reality - if so then credit goes to them but I have a feeling there will be a major set-back. Alot of England fans were moaning the fact that the ladies cannot wear short sleeve and no drinking allowed either, not sure if that's true or not, but that'll be one of the issue to be brought up in the future.

Russia - the weather is going to be a major problem, I don't know how the fans will be able to watch the games in the freezing weather - this could decrease the chance of fans turning up and also the distance is an issue too.

I personally believe that there's something going, either the FIFA is corrupted or the goverments of Russia (mafia's) I'm not quite sure but surley something is not right.

 

[hasanb]

Alot of England fans were moaning the fact that the ladies cannot wear short sleeve and no drinking allowed either, not sure if that's true or not, but that'll be one of the issue to be brought up in the future.

Such things only come from the ignorant people...they only need to talk to the tens of thousands of British expats living in the Middle East to rid them of their ignorance. No short sleeves allowed? Does a bikini count as short sleeves? Because those are allowed....

As for no alcohol...the drinking culture in the ME is very advanced. An example of this is something called Brunching. Basically what happens is that you book yourself to go to a Brunch at any of the top hotels in the city that take place over the weekend. Now the concept of the brunch is this...its an all you can eat buffet of the highest order but more importantly its an all you can drink concept as well...with all varieties of champage, beer, vodka, tequila you name it theyve got it...and this "Brunch" starts from 12pm in the afternoon and lasts till 3am the next morning...suffice to say that people at this Brunch get totally and utterly hammered by just around 6pm and people hit the dance floor in this state...with the women wearing very skimpy clothing indeed.

This was all detailed in fact in a recent article in The Telegraph, that article concluded with the line that youre likely to find more people completely hammered in the Gulf than you are even in the UK.

Now with this in mind...for the life of me i dont get why people on here and elsewhere keep coming up with ignorant statements!

Besides, England may not even qualify for 2022 or 2018...so their fans might not have to worry their little heads over all these potential problems in any case

 

[Theo_14]

Besides, England may not even qualify for 2022 or 2018...so their fans might not have to worry their little heads over all these potential problems in any case

England are producing raw talents lately - just need more time to develop and gel together.

Wilshere, Gibbs, Rodwell, Adam Johnson etc

And for the bid Scenario...

It's obvious that the England media will say as many excuses as they can against Qatar.

You should've seen America's reaction to Qatar holding the world cup - it was hilarious.

However I still believe England should have won the bid considering how good their bid and presentation was according to few FIFA members - there's something not right.

 

[hasanb]

However I still believe England should have won the bid considering how good their bid and presentation was according to few FIFA members - there's something not right.

I agree Englands bid was a very good one, I dont think thats in doubt at all. I'm not sure if they had a winning bid but they certainly had a very strong one...and to get just 2 votes, then I have to say that no way did they deserve that. At the very least they deserved to be in the last round of voting battling it out with the Spain/Portugal bid or with the Russian bid.

The latest news coming out is that various FIFA executive members are saying in no uncertain terms that the British media killed the bid for England. Now if this is true then I'm afraid the British media have to live with this shame...not that theyll particularly care.

 

[Amir]

Besides, England may not even qualify for 2022 or 2018...so their fans might not have to worry their little heads over all these potential problems in any case

But if they won the bid, this would not be a concern.

The latest news coming out is that various FIFA executive members are saying in no uncertain terms that the British media killed the bid for England. Now if this is true then I'm afraid the British media have to live with this shame...not that theyll particularly care.

Sadly, FIFA sent a message but a very pathetic one to say the least. Corruption? Us? How dare you, we will teach you a lesson. Now any other country media will think twice. I don't think English media should feel bad, because at the end of teh day they have exposed FIFA For the two-faced pieces of crap they are. England does now have a lot of sympathy. FIFA really need to get rid of Sepp Blatter.

The only other person I seen so incompetent and openly underhanded is . And this is not the first instance. During the Ronaldo transfer saga, for someone who is to be impartial he awfully sided with Real Madrid a lot...oh wait, he was an honourary board member there. And again, during the voting - he expressed his opinion. How is that fair? How are you to say "I would like this, now vote." It is all one big political game and he has probably now secured his re-election by giving the games to Russia and Qatar.

 

[hasanb]

Amir you say that England has a lot of sympathy I think I would re-word that a little bit. The England bid has a lot of sympathy...even from german fan like myself. However the British media does not have a single iota of sympathy from anyone at all and I think that includes English people themselves (at least the ones that I have spoken to if no one else). At the end of the day they did what they do best...they have made allegations on evidence which would not stand up in any court in the world. They have left themselves open to a whole host of legal action and to be honest I hope they get that.

I don't think we can just automatically jump to the conclusion that FIFA is corrupt end of, yes there are a few bad apples there is no doubt about that...however to then maliciously malign the entire organisation...no that is not right and it is not on and that is why the British media caused a lot of resentment against their own bid and they have to live with the shame of that in my opinion.

 

[d0gers]

Solar-powered air conditioned stadiums does sound pretty cool. At first I thought what a huge waste of electricity but looks like they're aiming for a carbon-neutral model.

12 years is a long time for things to go right, but also for them to go wrong.

Anyway, technically it is 11 years. They'll have to be more or less all the way there by the time the Confederations Cup rolls around in 2021. That'll be the first test and will help alleviate/raise whatever concerns there are.

 

[Amir]

Amir you say that England has a lot of sympathy I think I would re-word that a little bit. The England bid has a lot of sympathy...even from german fan like myself. However the British media does not have a single iota of sympathy from anyone at all and I think that includes English people themselves

Yeah, that is what I mean. At least England (bid) is getting some sympathy while most people just hate England.

I don't think we can just automatically jump to the conclusion that FIFA is corrupt end of, yes there are a few bad apples there is no doubt about that...however to then maliciously malign the entire organisation...no that is not right and it is not on and that is why the British media caused a lot of resentment against their own bid and they have to live with the shame of that in my opinion.

I didn't see Panorama but I don't think they accused the whole of FIFA to be corrupt. They just wanted to expose the bad apples part of the voting process. And well, they experienced it first hand. But in a way they created a win-win for themselves. Had England won, people would say FIFA changed. And since England lost, everyone is now looking at the joke that is Jack Warner. The only way FIFA coudl get out of this cleanly was to take England to the 2nd round and lose there....but FIFA missed the trick.

Because of the two votes and their response, media has more ammunition now. Now everyone thinks FIFA has something to hide or else they wouldn't respond in such a manner. For too long FIFA operates on the whims and wishes of Sepp Blatter but time for them to be exposed. England lost the bid, but I think some of the damage has been done in the public eye. Unfortunately, Blatter will be re-elected because he made more friends by giving the games to two new hosts.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

I would like to see this document that states england had the best technical bid?

 

[Amir]

I would like to see this document that states england had the best technical bid?

May have not been said, but it is generally understood:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/04/3084673.htm?site=sport&section=football

I saw a chart on another forum, I wish I had saved it. Pretty much it was a matrix with the categories on one side and the bidding nations at the top and then it deemed the type of risk (low, med or high) for that category. I will try my best to find it.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

I saw that chart as well BUT that doesn't mention the technical aspects of the bid (whatever that entails)

Yes Russia and Qatar are medium and high risk respectively BUT obviously FIFA are confident those countries will overcome the issues

 

[Amir]

I saw that chart as well BUT that doesn't mention the technical aspects of the bid (whatever that entails)

Yes Russia and Qatar are medium and high risk respectively BUT obviously FIFA are confident those countries will overcome the issues

Nonetheless you can't just shrug it off. Then it makes the whole process meaningless, what is the point of going through all this then if you are just going to vote based on politics and personal whims?

Like I said, Canada 2026 - we got a good chance. We can overcome our deficiencies in time too (see how easy it is to say that?).

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Just read that article and nowhere have FIFA stated it wad the best technical bid

The only mention is by the FA guy who days they were equal top in the technical assessment BUT doesn't say equal to with whom?

Also england have been banging on about technical aspect BUT does anyone know what other aspects are taken into account when making the decision?

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

I reckon Canada 2026 is worth a go, though they would need to keep it in a smaller area cos spreading it throughout canada would make it a logistically tough

 

[Amir]

I think what makes it worse is that everyone overall scored a low risk, except the two nations that were picked. At least overall if they were of low risk, you can say well then everyone is on level par but you can't say that.

Once again, making the whole technical junk pointless and a waste of time.

 

[SempreSami]

You mean like the relaxing of tax laws so that FIFA bigwigs can walk around freely with sacks of money?

 

[Amir]

I reckon Canada 2026 is worth a go, though they would need to keep it in a smaller area cos spreading it throughout canada would make it a logistically tough

They could do it in the Toronto-Montreal region but Vancouver is footy crazy as well and I wouldn't want them left out. They could play two sets of group games over there and then have the knock-outs all within the East.

But who cares about that anyway Geordie? Its all just technical aspects and the players can get use to the long travel. I wouldn't want the World Cup in one part of Canada, best if we spread it.

 

[hasanb]

.
Because of the two votes and their response, media has more ammunition now. Now everyone thinks FIFA has something to hide or else they wouldn't respond in such a manner. For too long FIFA operates on the whims and wishes of Sepp Blatter but time for them to be exposed. England lost the bid, but I think some of the damage has been done in the public eye. Unfortunately, Blatter will be re-elected because he made more friends by giving the games to two new hosts.

Well that could very well be a false assumption, the two votes could be due to a lot of bitterness and resentment at the British media, and the more they try to "expose" FIFA the more they are going to malign their own country in world football...they really need to swallow their misguided pride for the sake of the country. That is why I think their behaviour is shameful...they think that only they can be right and no one else can, no other country's media is like that...the British media imho is a curse on England...who had an excellent bid.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

That risk chart is just one element of it - that certainly does not male the final decision and obviously enough people deemed the risks not too high enough not to vote for them

The thing that is annoying me is england belittling Qatar even though they were not competing with them

Also I would be interested in knowing how the spanish have reacted to this? Have they had a big moan?

 

[Amir]

Well that could very well be a false assumption, the two votes could be due to a lot of bitterness and resentment at the British media, and the more they try to "expose" FIFA the more they are going to malign their own country in world football...they really need to swallow their misguided pride for the sake of the country. That is why I think their behaviour is shameful...they think that only they can be right and no one else can, no other country's media is like that...the British media imho is a curse on England...who had an excellent bid.

Maybe they are arrogant but to me it sounds like you are just saying the media should suck it up and kiss FIFA's @$$. The very thing that they are arguing against.

Arrogance or not, I think what they did was right. If there was corruption there, it needs to be explored. Just no one else has the balls to do it and FIFA continues to operate with tools like Jack Warner and Sepp Blatter.

 

[SempreSami]

Maybe they are arrogant but to me it sounds like you are just saying the media should suck it up and kiss FIFA's @$$. The very thing that they are arguing against.

Arrogance or not, I think what they did was right. If there was corruption there, it needs to be explored. Just no one else has the balls to do it and FIFA continues to operate with tools like Jack Warner and Sepp Blatter.

This is the best post I've seen in here.

 

[Amir]

risks not too high enough not to vote for them

Honestly though? Everyone has a low risk but Qatar is the only high risk nation. If it is not deem "high enough" then they need to reassess their criteria for high risk and maybe dub it down to a low risk?

Like I said, if it doesn't seem high enough according to their own criteria, it makes it all pointless, no?

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

They could do it in the Toronto-Montreal region but Vancouver is footy crazy as well and I wouldn't want them left out. They could play two sets of group games over there and then have the knock-outs all within the East.

But who cares about that anyway Geordie? Its all just technical aspects and the players can get use to the long travel. I wouldn't want the World Cup in one part of Canada, best if we spread it.

I wasn't concerned about about players BUT rather for the fans, spreading it over a large area makes it difficult, though not impossible

Canada and Australia are two countries I would like to see host the world cup

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Maybe they are arrogant but to me it sounds like you are just saying the media should suck it up and kiss FIFA's @$$. The very thing that they are arguing against.

Arrogance or not, I think what they did was right. If there was corruption there, it needs to be explored. Just no one else has the balls to do it and FIFA continues to operate with tools like Jack Warner and Sepp Blatter.

The english media are hardly a paragon of virtue - they care about sales and viewing figures

 

[hasanb]

Maybe they are arrogant but to me it sounds like you are just saying the media should suck it up and kiss FIFA's @$$. The very thing that they are arguing against.

Arrogance or not, I think what they did was right. If there was corruption there, it needs to be explored. Just no one else has the balls to do it and FIFA continues to operate with tools like Jack Warner and Sepp Blatter.

No i didnt say that you're just putting words in my mouth...however the British media's actions is a bit like going out of your way to dig up dirt on your potential boss before your job interview...not particularly a wise thing to do!

and these stupid stings that they do...these things dont stand up in court because you are instigating and goading your target into it almost luring them in thats why the law protects defendants against such things.

Therefore the allegations would be false...unless you have some sort of inside knowledge that the rest of us do not have, you cannot just go round saying FIFA are corrupt its assanine quite frankly.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Honestly though? Everyone has a low risk but Qatar is the only high risk nation. If it is not deem "high enough" then they need to reassess their criteria for high risk and maybe dub it down to a low risk?

Like I said, if it doesn't seem high enough according to their own criteria, it makes it all pointless, no?

The point is being high risk does not automatically rule you out otherwise things would never get done cos would always go for the safety approach

The risk factors are just one element of it - the location, spreading the game, compact area, virtually no crime etc etc are the appealing and positive aspects of the Qatar bid, it isn't all bad

 

[Amir]

No i didnt say that you're just putting words in my mouth...however the British media's actions is a bit like going out of your way to dig up dirt on your potential boss before your job interview...not particularly a wise thing to do!

I don't like British media either except this time they were digging up on a boss that is notoriously known for junk like this but no one has the guts to say it. It did work to a degree, remember the Spanish/Qatar vote for one another deal. FIFA denied it but the two guys I believed resigned or something similar. Point is, if they weren't guilty - they wouldn't have done anything.

Plus, decisions liek these don't go to court. What is the FA going to do...take FIFA to court for not giving votes? That was always going to be hard to prove because they can just deny deny deny, you can never really expose harboured feelings BUT like I said, better they exposed than just kiss FIFA's @$$ like they wanted.

In the end, I think we can both agree that its nothing more than a game of politics and who can suck up best. Technical points, bids, and all this junk is useless at the end of the day if you are not playing the game.

 

[Amir]

The point is being high risk does not automatically rule you out otherwise things would never get done cos would always go for the safety approach

The risk factors are just one element of it - the location, spreading the game, compact area, virtually no crime etc etc are the appealing and positive aspects of the Qatar bid, it isn't all bad

I don't doubt you. And you are right, sometimes risks need to be taken. But my concern is that when all the other competing bids were of low risk (US who had the lowest by the looks of its categories), then you have to question the relevance of such assessments. It just makes it pointless to me.

 

[hasanb]

Technical points, bids, and all this junk is useless at the end of the day if you are not playing the game.

Alas, its not just FIFA...but the whole world that works like that, its the world of realpolitik and behind closed doors, this is what happens across the length and breadth of the world.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Yeah BUT the USA were being cheeky with their bid, they only hosted it 16 years ago (28 by the time the tournament happens)

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Alas, its not just FIFA...but the whole world that works like that, its the world of realpolitik and behind closed doors, this is what happens across the length and breadth of the world.

Exactly - I read somewhere that Beckham had breakfast with some FIFA official (not sure how true this is) so it appears even england were trying a bit of politics

 

[Amir]

Yeah BUT the USA were being cheeky with their bid, they only hosted it 16 years ago (28 by the time the tournament happens)

US is a different scenario and case. US has a huge market, the world's largest which no one can deny when it comes in terms of money. Crap economy or no, they pump so much money in their economy and everyone walks to their tone because world cannot withstand a collapse of the US (yet).

And this is not my thinking. I am just looking at how others view the US and a prime example is the Olympics. Atlanta hosted it in 1996, and then Salt Lake City in 2004. Two different types of Olympics but same committee/organization. Point being, many bodies int he world recognize US' potential and hence why such a time span is shorter than other nations.

Ideally I would have liked Mexico to bid but they pulled out. However, US/Canada/Mexico, point is 2026 should come to North America. Doesn't matter if has only been 20 years, or 32 years since US got it. If it is in the US, Canadians and Mexicans will travel to go see it.

 

[Amir]

Exactly - I read somewhere that Beckham had breakfast with some FIFA official (not sure how true this is) so it appears even england were trying a bit of politics

Well that is what annoyed them so much. They sent Cameron and William for same purpose (which to me is not arrogance). They had votes promised to them, which were broken.

I hope England give these guys their just desserts and "pays" them back. I know people say well what does England do for world football....but then, what does any nation do?

 

[hasanb]

Well that is what annoyed them so much. They sent Cameron and William for same purpose (which to me is not arrogance). They had votes promised to them, which were broken.

I hope England give these guys their just desserts and "pays" them back. I know people say well what does England do for world football....but then, what does any nation do?

How can England "pay them back" there isnt a single thing they can do.

 

[SempreSami]

How can England "pay them back" there isnt a single thing they can do.

Quite, it's impossible for anything to be done to FIFA. Since they answer to no one, the scumbaggery continues.

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

How can England "pay them back" there isnt a single thing they can do.

Indeed - maybe they can drop the attitude and they might just get somewhere

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

US is a different scenario and case. US has a huge market, the world's largest which no one can deny when it comes in terms of money. Crap economy or no, they pump so much money in their economy and everyone walks to their tone because world cannot withstand a collapse of the US (yet).

And this is not my thinking. I am just looking at how others view the US and a prime example is the Olympics. Atlanta hosted it in 1996, and then Salt Lake City in 2004. Two different types of Olympics but same committee/organization. Point being, many bodies int he world recognize US' potential and hence why such a time span is shorter than other nations.

Ideally I would have liked Mexico to bid but they pulled out. However, US/Canada/Mexico, point is 2026 should come to North America. Doesn't matter if has only been 20 years, or 32 years since US got it. If it is in the US, Canadians and Mexicans will travel to go see it.

It does matter - you cant give a country the world cup within such a small gap, especially when you consider England have not hosted it since 1966, would be a joke for the US to have it twice since England had it last

I do think North America should get it or even Australia - so really it should be between Canada and Australia

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

So does anyone know how the Spanish have reacted to losing out? Have they went on a whinging mission?

 

[hasanb]

I do think North America should get it or even Australia - so really it should be between Canada and Australia

Indeed and if that likely scenario happens i would want Australia to win it hands down because of some the very things that our own Amir was referring to earlier. Such as the obscurity of the national football team.

What was that question Amir was asking of the Qataris? Oh yeah how many times has Canada qualified for the world cup...that was it!

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Exactly - I read somewhere that Beckham had breakfast with some FIFA official (not sure how true this is) so it appears even england were trying a bit of politics

i can remember the designer handbags to fifa executives

The friendly against thailand next year which has now been cancelled

Previous friendlies against trinidad and tobaga and egypt, which had been arranged for exactly the same reason

England had a pact with south korea that would mean england would vote for south korea for 2022 but south korea didnt stick to their side of the bargain

Not to forget david cameron's lunch with jack warner

 

[d0gers]

So does anyone know how the Spanish have reacted to losing out? Have they went on a whinging mission?

They're definitely not happy about it going to Russia but they didn't whinge as much. Or they did it in Spanish which means most people never heard it.

One of their officials was quoted as saying he doesn't understand what purpose the technical report serves if in the end the side with the least amount of points wins the bid.

Some of the argument about tradition as well, similar to England, where they talked about what it would mean for the Bernabeu or Camp Nou to host a World Cup match as opposed to grounds with little history in Russia.

National team coach Vicente del Bosque was very big in defeat. "We would have hosted a very good World Cup because we are a modern and well-prepared country." And that's all he said.

 

[d0gers]

Nice article on the issue. From Sports Illustrated:

Consider what the point of hosting a World Cup is. If it's to give the biggest number of fans the best possible experience in terms of stadiums, facilities, infrastructure and safeties all at (relatively) affordable prices, while honoring those nations that have passionate fans and venerable traditions, then it would only ever really rotate between the same three or four countries. Or, in fact, you could just have it in Germany every four years.​

 

[Amir]

How can England "pay them back" there isnt a single thing they can do.

I meant sometime in the future. Eventually what comes around goes around. One day, one of those nations will need something (in terms of football).

 

[Amir]

Indeed and if that likely scenario happens i would want Australia to win it hands down because of some the very things that our own Amir was referring to earlier. Such as the obscurity of the national football team.

What was that question Amir was asking of the Qataris? Oh yeah how many times has Canada qualified for the world cup...that was it!

You guys clearly missed what I was doing. No way is Canada ready to host a WC but I was exactly applying the same things that you guys were defending toward Canada. (still back the bid, Canada 2026 )

You have proved my point perfectly. Despite Canada's crap national team, if Qatar can host it...then why not Canada?

(BTW for your info, Canada has at least qualified for the WC and won the Gold Cup as opposed to Qatar who cannot make it past the QF of the Asia Cup nor can have they made the World Cup)

 

[Amir]

One of their officials was quoted as saying he doesn't understand what purpose the technical report serves if in the end the side with the least amount of points wins the bid.

Its what I been saying!!!

National team coach Vicente del Bosque was very big in defeat. "We would have hosted a very good World Cup because we are a modern and well-prepared country." And that's all he said.

Ouch. I wonder what he infers when he says "modern" country. Aren't rest of the bids "modern?"

 

[d0gers]

Its what I been saying!!!

I think your cover has been blown. We all now know you worked on the Spanish bid.

Ouch. I wonder what he infers when he says "modern" country. Aren't rest of the bids "modern?"

True. I think what happened was the reporters were trying to get a quote out of him about how terrible this is, how bad Russia is etc. This is sort of his way of saying that look we can host this tomorrow if needed. We don't need 12 years to build facilities and a public transportation system up from scratch.

Again, sort of similar to the England argument.

 

[Amir]

I think your cover has been blown. We all now know you worked on the Spanish bid.

Que? (Shifty eyes)

True. I think what happened was the reporters were trying to get a quote out of him about how terrible this is, how bad Russia is etc. This is sort of his way of saying that look we can host this tomorrow if needed. We don't need 12 years to build facilities and a public transportation system up from scratch.

Again, sort of similar to the England argument.

No no, that is what I got when he said "well-prepared" But when he says modern, I feel llike he coudl be hinting towards more 'social' issues.

 

[hasanb]

(BTW for your info, Canada has at least qualified for the WC

Which world cup did they qualify for?

Ah 1986 my bad

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Atleast now England knows... how it feels like to be PCB ...

 

[Amir]

Which world cup did they qualify for?

Ah 1986 my bad

Yeah we are on the cusp of becoming a footballing giant. We just need a push and WC would do it.

Back the bid. Canada 2026.

 

[Legal Eye]

Well, there is still 12 years but one can already state that the Qatar World Cup will be a disaster. They are considering playing the tournament in the winter (which already means they failed one of the key criteria) - and leagues around the world are (rightly) threatening action if this is the case.

Shambles, total and utter shambles.

 

[hasanb]

Well, there is still 12 years but one can already state that the Qatar World Cup will be a disaster. They are considering playing the tournament in the winter (which already means they failed one of the key criteria) - and leagues around the world are (rightly) threatening action if this is the case.

Shambles, total and utter shambles.

lol

I'd like to go to the 2022 world cup with you actually and see your opinions then

 

[Legal Eye]

So, now it is suggested it will be across the Gulf and not just Qatar

So, a winter World Cup and held in more than one country

This is not what was voted for

A corrupt farce.

 

[Markhor]

UEFA president Michel Platini has called for the 2022 World Cup to be played across the whole of the Arabian Gulf rather than just in Qatar.

His call is likely to fuel the controversy sparked by FIFA president Sepp Blatter saying he expected the tournament to be played in the winter - neither proposal was suggested during last year's World Cup bidding.

Platini has also labelled English football administration as "strange" but denied that resentment at Britain's special status within FIFA led to England's humiliating 2018 World Cup defeat.

He told reporters at UEFA's headquarters: "I hope it will be a World Cup of the Gulf. It could be the World Cup of Qatar but played in the Gulf. I think we need political people (for this to happen), but I think so."

Asked why such drastic changes could be considered when they were never mentioned during the bidding campaign, Platini added: "Who will remember the words in 12 years? In 12 years everybody will be happy to have a very well-organised World Cup and not remember what's happened before.

"When I organised the World Cup in France we did (things) differently from what we proposed in the bid."
The UEFA president said England should work with FIFA instead of continuing to complain about their 2018 World Cup bid defeat. He also referred to the appointment of Football Association chairman-elect David Bernstein as being strange in that he was chosen by a small group rather than in an election.

Platini said: "In England you are different, in every way you are different. The way you elect a president (sic) of the FA is very strange. It's asking three people to recommend one, it's strange.

"It's your world and you decide what you want to do. For me I don't have to interfere but I can say it's strange. I think FIFA and UEFA needs big countries and England definitely is a big country.

"England needs to be with UEFA and UEFA needs England. We are in the same way for football. We have to be together. It is not because the FIFA members don't vote for (England) that they don't like (England)."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/uk...Qf9WmdxdvouS8ZxTg?docId=N0118731294848213372A

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

World Cup 2022 in Qatar: New bribe and corruption claims from US prosecutors

Prosecutors have tabled fresh allegations of bribes being paid to FIFA executive committee members to vote for Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup.

An indictment unsealed on Monday in a US District Court in Brooklyn alleges Nicolas Leoz, the then president of South American football's governing body CONMEBOL, and former Brazil federation president Ricardo Teixeira accepted bribes to vote for the Gulf state at FIFA's executive committee meeting in 2010.

The indictment also alleges Jack Warner of Trinidad and Tobago, who was president of the North and Central American and Caribbean governing body CONCACAF, received $5m (£4.1m) in bribes to vote for Russia's hosting of the 2018 World Cup.

Guatemala federation president Rafael Salguero was also promised a $1m (£815,000) bribe to vote for Russia, according to the indictment, an updated third draft of charges in the matter, which alleges 53 counts of illegal behaviour in total.

The document also alleges a range of bribery and corruption offences in connection to broadcasting rights in North and South America for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, including events that led to the Fox network gaining the rights to show those competitions in the US.

The case has been brought in the US after law enforcement bodies there, headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), undertook to look into allegations of bribery in world football, particularly relating to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Leoz died last August, having avoided extradition to the US. Warner and Teixeira have also avoided extradition.

Salguero pleaded guilty in 2018 to two counts of wire fraud conspiracy and to single counts of racketeering conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.

Warner is alleged to have received bribe money for his Russia vote from 10 separate shell companies spread across countries including Anguilla, Cyprus and the British Virgin Islands.

"The profiteering and bribery in international soccer have been deep-seated and commonly known practices for decades," William F Sweeney, assistant director in charge of the FBI's New York field office, said in a statement issued by the office of the US Attorney in the Eastern District of New York.

"Over a period of many years, the defendants and their co-conspirators corrupted the governance and business of international soccer with bribes and kickbacks, and engaged in criminal fraudulent schemes that caused significant harm to the sport of soccer.

"Their schemes included the use of shell companies, sham consulting contracts and other concealment methods to disguise the bribes and kickback payments and make them appear legitimate."

Qatar won the right to host the 2022 tournament over the US by a vote of 14-8.

The indictment includes charges that former 21st Century Fox executives Hernan Lopez and Carlos Martinez made payments to CONMEBOL officials to obtain US broadcast rights bidding information from a co-conspirator who was not identified in the indictment.

ESPN had US television rights to the World Cup from 1994-2014, but in 2011 Fox gained the rights for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

FIFA awarded Fox the rights for the 2026 World Cup without competitive bidding.

After the 2022 tournament in Qatar was rescheduled from summer to late autumn, a time when it is likely to receive less attention than normal in the US due to clashing with the NFL, FIFA awarded Fox the rights for the 2026 World Cup without competitive bidding.

Also charged in the indictment are former Imagina Media Audiovisual CEO Gerard Romy and the Uruguayan sports marketing company Full Play Group SA.

The indictment includes charges of wire fraud and money laundering. The charges against Romy and Full Play also allege racketeering conspiracy.

The indictment, detailed in the statement from the US Attorney's office, says Lopez and Martinez joined Full Play and other co-conspirators in a scheme involving the annual payment of millions of dollars in bribes to officials of CONMEBOL in exchange for broadcasting rights to South America's major club tournament, the Copa Libertadores.

"Lopez and Martinez also relied on loyalty secured through the payment of bribes to certain CONMEBOL officials to advance the business interests of Fox, including to obtain confidential bidding information for the rights to broadcast the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments in the United States, rights that Fox successfully obtained," the statement said.

In July 2015, the head of Russia 2018 told Sky Sports News that computers used in the bidding process were not deliberately destroyed.

In December 2015, the head of Qatar 2022 said the nation had been unfairly 'singled out' for criticism.

In June 2017, FIFA published Michael Garcia and Dr Cornel Brobely's 430-page report on the inquiry into the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...ibe-and-corruption-claims-from-us-prosecutors

 

[cricketjoshila]

Qatar should not be holding the Fifa WC.

 

[MenInG]

Qatar and Russia hit back at allegations of bribery on Tuesday after US prosecutors accused them of paying millions in bribes for the rights to host the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

According to US Justice Department documents released Monday, FIFA officials received bribes to vote in favour of awarding the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar.

Doha said it "strongly denies the allegations contained within the court papers" while the Kremlin said it "absolutely legally got the right" to host the 2018 global football spectacle.

The US legal action is linked to a wide-ranging 2015 corruption scandal that left world governing body FIFA in turmoil and led to the downfall of then-president Sepp Blatter.

In the ensuing years, the US government has accused a total of 45 people and various sports companies of more than 90 crimes and of paying or accepting more than $200 million in bribes.

"Russia absolutely legally got the right to organise the World Cup," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery said in a statement the allegations "are part of a long-standing case, the subject of which is not the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process."

The timings of the competition, due to be held in November and December of 2022, remain unchanged by the coronavirus pandemic which has already forced the postponement of the European football championships and the Tokyo Olympics. Both will now take place in 2021.

The latest US legal action centres on two former executives of US media giant Fox who were charged with corruption, bank fraud and money-laundering on Monday.

But Federal prosecutors have also shed fresh light on the scandal-tainted bidding war for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

An unsealed superseding indictment released on Monday detailed corruption surrounding the 2010 vote in Zurich which saw FIFA award the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

Blatter told AFP that "there was a gentlemen's agreement at the heart of FIFA's executive committee" to award the 2018 tournament to Russia and the 2022 edition to Qatar.

"That's all," added Blatter who presided over both bidding processes and is currently banned from football.

The indictment said former Brazilian FIFA member Ricardo Teixeira and late Paraguayan official Nicolas Leoz, both members of the FIFA committee which voted on the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, received payment of bribes in exchange for voting for Qatar's bid.

In addition, Trinidad's long-serving FIFA official Jack Warner "was promised and received" bribe payments totalling $5 million to vote for Russia while Guatemala's Rafael Salguero was promised a $1 million bribe to vote for Russia.

Salguero pleaded guilty to multiple corruption charges in 2016 and was banned from FIFA while Warner, who faces charges in the United States, is currently battling extradition to the US from his native Trinidad.

In a statement FIFA said it "supports all investigations into alleged acts of criminal wrong-doing regarding either domestic or international football competitions".

"(FIFA) will continue to provide full cooperation to law enforcement officials investigating such matters," it said.

"FIFA has itself been accorded victim status in the US criminal proceedings and senior FIFA officials are in regular contact with the US Department of Justice."

https://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/In...ifa-officials-to-host-2022-world-cup-20200407