FIFA - Own Goal?

[Downsouth]

Not that I am being jingonistic in any way shape or form (ok maybe a little) and I appreciate that this has been discussed previously but I was reading the morning paper today and found a comment from the paper which I really could not have said better myself and it is as follows.

"Overseas Olympic and Paralympic athletes were unanimous in their praise of British friendliness and the warmth of their welcome here"

It goes on to say

"So what must FIFA be thinking today as it reflects on its bizarre and controvercial decision to snub our country and award the 2022 Football World Cup to little known desert nation Qatar?
We are sure that Qatar is a friendly place but will this tiny oil state be able to put ouit a welcome to match our's?

The words MASSIVE,OWN and GOAL spring to mind!!!!

As I said could not agree more and this does not even take into consideration the professional organisation skills we have proved to have when it comes to a World event.

I wonder if FIFA is reflecting and accepts they have blundered this time and would we ever know??

[ham_chop]

was this in The Sun by any chance?

[sackrobson]

We didn't even apply to host the 2022 world cup though.

[Prowler]

Aye, the massive own goal was giving it to Russia.

[Tanksie]

Yeah you guys gave it to Russia. And here is a good quote from Robbie Earl that rubbishes those statements about why England should host it.
"If Fifa wanted the world cup to be held at the safest country with the obvious facilities and organizational skills to host a world cup every time the world cup would be held in Germany every 4 years, diversity is a big and important part of football."

Seriously, spreading the love is a big part in football and hosting the next 3 world cups in Brazil, Qatar and Russia will do more for those countries than it would for England ESPECIALLY since England just hosted the Olympics. And Russia and Quatar have LOTS of money, Fifa will like that.

[smogsterking the Inspiration]

My issue with Qatar is the fact that it is still a country that has strong beliefs that alcohol (one of FIFA's biggest sponsors) is illegal. Homosexuality as far as I am aware is still illegal in Qatar and FIFA have made tackling homophobia as one of its big goals.
As mentioned money plays a big part but I question the decision on how a country that has such strong beliefs should hold an event of this magnitude.
Also the fact they intend to use massive stadiums using stupid amounts of energy in making them air conditioned before dismantling them and sending them to Africa where they won't be able to afford the running costs of them. I do believe that this is as mentioned in the opening title a big own goal.
I hope I'm wrong but I do struggle to see how this World Cup will succeed.

[Aarfy_Aardvark]

Qatar is fairly racist as well. It treats its migrant workers like ***. The sad thing is, they will bus in more workers from other poor muslim countries for the four weeks that the WC is on under awful living conditions.

[Prowler]

(11-09-2012 09:38 AM)Tanksie Wrote:  Brazill - will do more for those countries than it would for England ESPECIALLY since England just hosted the Olympics

Brazil are hosting the next Olympics...

Also, they are probably one of the wealthiest nations in the world at present.

[Tanksie]

As has already been mentioned. You guys did not drop the world cup to Qatar. You dropped it to Russia.

[2plus2]

I definitely agree that Qatar was a risky choice to say the least. Only time will tell if that'll work out, but there are a lot of potential issues that could crop up and spoil the party. We'll just have to wait and see really. Might end up being a fantastic event. And, despite clear and warranted criticism that is so often fairly directed at FIFA, you would have to assume that there were at least some solid foundations that suggested to them that hosting it there had every chance of being a great success. Same points (pros and cons) could be made about Russia etc.

But, at the end of the day, why should the 'bigger' nations (and I'm not referring to geographical size) always get the glory? I don't think we should be greedy. We've hosted a lot of major events over the years. And the London Olympics has literally just finished. There are plenty of other 'friendly' nations out there!! We have no divine right to expect so many opportunities. If we didn't host any major sporting events for the next 30-40 years I'd have no complaints. Not to say that wouldn't be disappointing from a selfish point of view of course!