I don't think anyone will be at all surprised to hear the latest news that a top FIFA official was paid over $1m by a Qatari firm in the weeks just after they were awarded the world cup.
And that this has only come to light because Warner had to process the money through one of his American bank accounts (thus alerting the FBI) as the Cayman Islands didn't want to touch it as they suspected it was too dodgy.
As Rose and Crown mentioned above, seeing as FIFA rely on big sponsorship deals and TV revenues for World Cups etc. I've not understood how the bigger footballing nations haven't thought about breaking away. An invitation open to anyone who wants to join but led by most of the major UEFA nations plus Brazil and Argentina. That's where the money is in world football anyway and they're the only nations with a realistic chance of winning anything. However, like I said, open to anyone who wants to join. Or maybe further down the line it would end up being equally as corrupt.
The starting point is that everybody who voted for Qatar will have been bribed to - that is basic common sense. The issue is then proving what you know, but it helps the police when they do know.
If it looks like a turd and smells like a turd, that is what it almost certainly is!
I would love to see it moved from Qatar, though I take FA's point, I don't think the families of the dead would feel particularly aggrieved at that. It wont bring their loved ones back, and it won't be a memorial for the unfortunate ones.
It's not too late to change it, and I am sure the European leagues would be happy for it to revert to the (northern hemisphere) summer tournament it is supposed to be.
Being held in winter and messing up the Premier League is the only other reason I want Qatar to remain as hosts
Really curious to see how it'll all be scheduled etc.
The other problem will be Qualification if they try to move it back to the Summer months (I imagine)... i.e. As mentioned in my other thread, its only just started in Asia whereas 2018 Qualification began in March 2015...
The later start will be to compensate the winter World Cup and dont imagine there being enough international breaks to fit in all the games etc. if they were to move it back to June / July
It could be held at the last minute in European countries that qualify for it. It could be shared between us, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. All these countries have the infrastructure and venues.
The decision to award it to Qatar has been a shambles from start to finish, with bribing and the deaths of construction workers a stain on FIFA, not to mention the idiocy of awarding it to a country then realising it would be to hot to host it in summer. Wonder if it's too late to take it from them now though, but common sense would say it's possible and give it to a country with stadiums and transport infrastructure already in place.
Christ that could create a bit of a mess for a teams fixtures if they have three players called up - Id be surprised if anyone did but is it worth the risk?
Same with the Championship resuming straight after the Group Stages.
I moan that there is too many meaningless football matches, but Wales v Scotland and Portugal v Italy to qualify for the World Cup could be brilliant matches.
Comments
As Rose and Crown mentioned above, seeing as FIFA rely on big sponsorship deals and TV revenues for World Cups etc. I've not understood how the bigger footballing nations haven't thought about breaking away. An invitation open to anyone who wants to join but led by most of the major UEFA nations plus Brazil and Argentina. That's where the money is in world football anyway and they're the only nations with a realistic chance of winning anything. However, like I said, open to anyone who wants to join. Or maybe further down the line it would end up being equally as corrupt.
If it looks like a turd and smells like a turd, that is what it almost certainly is!
I can see a Euros style shared tournament
In a way I hope they do else its an even greater insult to the workers that have died during the construction as it really would have been for nothing
Some incorruptible organisation would have to disband FIFA and start again from scratch in order for it not to take place in Qatar.
Infantino being appointed hasnt changed a single thing
It's not too late to change it, and I am sure the European leagues would be happy for it to revert to the (northern hemisphere) summer tournament it is supposed to be.
Really curious to see how it'll all be scheduled etc.
The other problem will be Qualification if they try to move it back to the Summer months (I imagine)... i.e. As mentioned in my other thread, its only just started in Asia whereas 2018 Qualification began in March 2015...
The later start will be to compensate the winter World Cup and dont imagine there being enough international breaks to fit in all the games etc. if they were to move it back to June / July
Premier League players could face the prospect of playing games nine days before the start of the 2022 winter World Cup in Qatar.
Draft plans have been shared between clubs outlining the Premier League schedule around the tournament, being held from 21 November to 18 December.
Fixtures could take place on 12 November and resume on 26 December, eight days after the final.
The season would also kick off one week earlier and finish a week later.
It means that there would be only six weekends without Premier League games.
The issue will be discussed at the next Premier League shareholders' meeting in November.
Qualification is going to be in 2021 with:
- Three games in each of March and September
- Two games in each of October and November
- Play-Offs in March 2022
Because we didnt reach the Nations League Finals, we'll likely be in a Group of six teams
Christ that could create a bit of a mess for a teams fixtures if they have three players called up - Id be surprised if anyone did but is it worth the risk?
Same with the Championship resuming straight after the Group Stages.
Premier League shuts down till Boxing Day
Championship resumes 10 December, by which time we'll be at the quarter final stage.
They can't pause for too much longer as they have 46 games to play against the 38 of the Premier league.
Plus at least one of Portugal and Italy not being at the World Cup is a bit of a turn up.