Astonishing FIFA story

[pilamenon]

Yes, folks, the comings and goings at FIFA are top of the 10.00 TV news agenda for yet another day.

[Norfolk Born]

I'm actually quite pleased that our own FA's efforts to change things at FIFA produced such a hostile reaction. It's now less likely than ever that we shall get to host the World Cup in 2026, 2030, or indeed ever again.

[Lateralthinking1]

I agree. The megabucks, the strong hint of financial corruption, and the strange combination of bad losers and good principles sums up the modern game. Supporters have been turned from their sense of history into lemmings. They are essentially watching bankers displaying their wealth via well-off athletes on patches of grass. And, yes, the extent of media coverage has been equally unreal.

[Ferretfancy]

All the FIFA committee as seen on Channel4 News tonight looked as if they had one foot in the grave, and I speak as a 75 year old. Where do they find these terrible people? Mind you, I doubt if the IOC are much better, it's just that they haven't quite been found out yet.

[Lateralthinking1]

I actually daydream quite a lot about overturning the modern football regime. Certainly in England - and it is a mixture of realism and utopia.

It starts with the assumption that logically there must be literally thousands of people around the world who are extraordinarily talented at football and yet only play the game for fun. I just cannot believe that talent scouts have the entire globe covered. That really just isn't possible.

It then moves on to a theory that many would wish to play football more seriously and it is really access to the structures of the game that is the problem. It needs a system of reach out and in these days of the internet I believe that this would be entirely possible. The site could be operated by any old Joe frankly.

What happens? Obviously, you need teams to come to and grounds. We have both of these lower down in the pyramid. Here are the building blocks of an alternative system. They sign up for two years contractually. Then they are free to be bought by the bigger clubs if they wish.

The "product" is youthful teams with previously unknown talent and a genuine live experience. Very limited television rights to create more of a buzz. Is this all too easy sounding as a way of producing a genuine competitor to football itself?

[burning dog]

The World Cup need be nothing like the Olympics. A break away Kerry Packer type World Cup could be staged in England, Spain, Italy and probably Brazil or Argentina, with a month or two's notice and turn in a huge profit, a proportion of which which could be distributed to poorer footballing nations. The grounds are already there, the audience too. The REAL shame of FIFA is that the Cup was last held in Latin America in 1986 and can't be now until 2026.

Correction its in Brazil next time!!!

[burning dog]

. I just cannot believe that talent scouts have the entire globe covered. That really just isn't possible.

?

I can, and do.

I'm certain if there were a potential great player in a small mountain village in Tibet, the scouting staff of Man U, Barca and Real would get to hear about him. The Tibet national coach would be the last to find out though.

[scottycelt]

I agree with Pilamenon, having the FIFA story as the main news headline is quite ridiculous.

I'm a huge football fan but I couldn't care less about FIFA and I don't believe many other fans could either.

Despite the huge money involved now, it's still only a game ... despite what that great character Bill Shankly once claimed!

[Auferstehen2]

I agree with Pilamenon, having the FIFA story as the main news headline is quite ridiculous.

I'm a huge football fan but I couldn't care less about FIFA and I don't believe many other fans could either.

Despite the huge money involved now, it's still only a game ... despite what that great character Bill Shankly once claimed!

I really don't want to steal your thunder Scottycelt, so, for the sake of the uninitiated, why not repeat those immortal words by Bill Shankly?

Mario

[burning dog]

I agree with Pilamenon, having the FIFA story as the main news headline is quite ridiculous.

I'm a huge football fan but I couldn't care less about FIFA and I don't believe many other fans could either.

That's the story in a way though, people motivated by power and fame, even more than money, complicating something simple. Does anybody outside of Qatar want the World Cup to be there? Smaller nations, most whom are a lot more deserving, are only going along with it as they hope to be chosen in future.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I really don't want to steal your thunder Scottycelt, so, for the sake of the uninitiated, why not repeat those immortal words by Bill Shankly?

Mario

Is this the one? "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." He said this when reflecting on the relationship between the Liverpool and Everton fans.

[Auferstehen2]

Is this the one? "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." He said this when reflecting on the relationship between the Liverpool and Everton fans.

Correct!

[scottycelt]

Yes, that's the one .... surely even those poor deprived souls, who express no interest in the game, have heard all about that famous quote ?

However, you could well be right, Auferstehen2 ... such folk are mighty strange beings indeed, and, accordingly, are very likely keen cricket fans as well ...

[burning dog]

.Talking of Scots and cricket this line from wiki made me laugh


" The incident was a clear black mark against Greig's character"

[Serial_Apologist]

The real problem with sport - and why I don't give a tinker's cuss about it - is that, like voyerism, there really is nothing you can do about it, other than join in or watch. Unlike politics, of course...