Reply to: Are England FIFA bid whoever team the biggest sore losers the world has seen?

[shaunbhoy]

F1, gotta be the most boring sport that has ever graced my telly.

It is even worse when they have it on the radio. WTF is all that about??

[TiroFijo]

F1 is shamelessly following the cash by giving undeserving Arab states races whilst threatening to pull out of core countries, I just don't think football can be milked in the same way without a major backlash.

F1, gotta be the most boring sport that has ever graced my telly.

[swamp]

What about Scotland?

I said big footballing nations

Nonetheless, I expect they would act like France: no, because England say yes.

[Freamon]

What about Scotland?

Scotland can't break away from FIFA because they're not on the FIFA ExCom.

[Doggy Styles]

Unless there exists something like the former G-14 for national teams, then FIFA/UEFA will do whatever they want. The big footballing nations need to have a permanent alliance that threatens to break away from FIFA -- a sort of Sword of Damoclese.

Here is my list of big footballing nations and their willingness to breakaway from FIFA:

England -- yes
Germany -- no, because they recently had the WC and are good Europeans
Brazil -- no, about to host WC
France -- no, because England say yes
Holland -- yes
Italy -- yes
Spain -- maybe
Portugal -- undecided

Some wild guesses there of course, but not much solidarity out there.

What about Scotland?

[swamp]

F1 is shamelessly following the cash by giving undeserving Arab states races whilst threatening to pull out of core countries, I just don't think football can be milked in the same way without a major backlash.

Unless there exists something like the former G-14 for national teams, then FIFA/UEFA will do whatever they want. The big footballing nations need to have a permanent alliance that threatens to break away from FIFA -- a sort of Sword of Damoclese.

Here is my list of big footballing nations and their willingness to breakaway from FIFA:

England -- yes
Germany -- no, because they recently had the WC and are good Europeans
Brazil -- no, about to host WC
France -- no, because England say yes
Holland -- yes
Italy -- yes
Spain -- maybe
Portugal -- undecided

Some wild guesses there of course, but not much solidarity out there.

[AtW]

I don't really understand what they're trying to achieve? Russia is a mistake IMO but Qatar is a feckin joke.

Qatar is going to be very safe.

HTH

[gingerjedi]

How do they treat black people in Russia? They're still throwing bananas on the pitch in Spain and Italy is no better, I hear Russia is much worse.

4 high risk world cups in a row now, FIFA just about got away with SA even though the stadia were half empty and people were getting mugged left right and centre, I don't really understand what they're trying to achieve? Russia is a mistake IMO but Qatar is a feckin joke.

F1 is shamelessly following the cash by giving undeserving Arab states races whilst threatening to pull out of core countries, I just don't think football can be milked in the same way without a major backlash.

[swamp]

Rest assured England's team games will be held in Grozny

Who says I'll be watching England? I plan to take my son to see Russia play. It is certain that they will qualify

[AtW]

I'll be going with my son to watch a game in Moscow.

Rest assured England's team games will be held in Grozny

[Mr.Whippy]

I'm looking forward to Russia 2018.

I'm looking forward to Brazil 2014 more though, the women fans are far better looking

[swamp]

I'm looking forward to Russia 2018. I'll be going with my son to watch a game in Moscow.

[AtW]

I know a few people who've been on the receiving end of some very heavy handed police/security.

I've been stopped by Russian police 3 times - basically they wanted bribe.

They'll probably be told not to do that during world cup though, but the thiefs etc won't be that nice.

Anyway, I cheer up lads - 2017 is the date of new Russian Revolution, after that everything will change

[Mr.Whippy]

If Poland and Russia are both Eastern Europe, then Eastern Europe as a whole hosts major football event and neither should get World Cup for a long time.

Rubbish, there's nothing wrong with two different countries in the same geographical area hosting a tournament each within a few years... but 1 country hosting 2 wouldn't really be fair on other countries would it?

I'd advise anybody who considers going to Russia to see world cup to stay at home and watch it on TV.

I'd second that. I go to many home & away England games but never Russia... I know a few people who've been on the receiving end of some very heavy handed police/security.

[AtW]

Because they are both major football tournaments?

If Poland and Russia are both Eastern Europe, then Eastern Europe as a whole hosts major football event and neither should get World Cup for a long time.

Russia agreed to do ridiculous things money wise to host World Cup - no sane Western country would agree to it, yet it is the West which would pay for all that stuff via higher prices of oil and gas.

It's ironic really - British taxpayers will pay up in full for World Cups in 2018 and 2022.

I won't speak about Qatar, but I'd advise anybody who considers going to Russia to see world cup to stay at home and watch it on TV.