Australia's bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup

[midfielder]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/australias-fifa-world-cup-bid-boosted-after-talks-between-pm-kevin-rudd-and-officials-from-key-countries/story-e6frf9if-1225779612546

Australia's FIFA World Cup bid boosted after talks between PM Kevin Rudd and officials from key countries

    * Karlis Salna
   

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AUSTRALIA'S football World Cup bid has been boosted after meetings between Kevin Rudd and officials from countries key to the campaign.

The Prime Minister has reportedly been meeting with officials on the sidelines of the United Nations meeting in New York to secure support for Australia's bid to host the tournament in 2018 or 2022.

Football's world governing body FIFA will make a decision about which countries host the tournaments in December 2010.

Australia is one of nine countries bidding for 2018 and one of 11 nations in the scramble for 2022. It needs the votes of 13 of FIFA's 25-member executive to secure the rights.

Mr Rudd and Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith have spent the week lobbying officials from Trinidad and Tobago, Cyprus, South Korea, the United States and Japan in the hope of securing their support.

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The PM confirmed the World Cup had been discussed, adding that the meetings were part of what would be a long campaign to secure the rights to the event.

"Look this is a long campaign and it's going to be tough, really tough,'' Mr Rudd told reporters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

"I mean, when I went to FIFA headquarters recently in Switzerland and had explained to me how difficult a race this is going to be for Australia.''

Mr Rudd said the success of the 2000 Sydney Olympics proved Australia had the capacity to host the event.

"We're Australia. We do things well when we put our mind to it,'' he said.

"We did it for the Olympics and did it with a degree of professionalism, which is now widely regarded right around the world nearly a decade after the Sydney Olympics.

"If we succeed with the World Cup bid, then we would apply the same disciplines and the same national effort to produce a fantastic World Cup in Australia as well.''

The federal government has contributed $45 million towards the World Cup bid.

Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy said the meetings had boosted his confidence about Australia's chances of winning the rights to the event.

"We are very appreciative of the support of the prime minister, the opposition leader and federal and state governments for our bid,'' Mr Lowy told The West Australian newspaper.

"The more we have the opportunity to meet with key people in the football world and to talk to them about why Australia would be the best choice for 2018 or 2022, the more confident we become,'' he said.

Mr Lowy said Australia's record of hosting major sporting events such as the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup had "all been dress rehearsals for the big one''.

Australia was a "safe pair of hands'' when it came to hosting major events, Mr Lowy said.

[quote}

 

[midfielder]

http://www.theworldgame.com.au/australia/blatter-questions-asia-move-238547

Blatter questions Asia move

25 September 2009 | 09:04 - SBS EXCLUSIVE: Davidde Corran

  Negative effect...Fifa president Sepp Blatter has questioned the wisdom of Australia's move into the Asia confederation. (Getty Images)

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has ominously declared that Australias move to the Asian Football Confederation in 2006 could have a negative effect on its chances of hosting the 2018 or 2022 World Cups.

Blatter made the statement at the Egyptian Army Stadium in Alexandria ahead of the opening game of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt between the host nation and Trinidad and Tobago.

When asked about Australias chances of hosting the World Cup, Blatter said: Australia definitely has a chance to organise the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

But Australia has now joined Asia and I think that from a football point of view they will be considered as an Asian country and this was perhaps not the best move.

However, Blatter didnt rule out the chance of Australia hosting the World Cup, saying: Australia have a very good candidature Im sure and they will work hard.

From a geographical point of view it would be good if one day the World Cup would also go down under.

Hosting rights for the 2018 and 2022 tournament will be awarded in December 2010.

 

[Jesus]

The problem we have is the massive distances between cities, we will have most groups based on the eastern seaboard but W.A and S.A will need to host a group each too meaning more travel for teams based in those cities, probably a disadvantage depending on scheduling.

Im pretty sure the FFA would try to align most of the venues with A-League clubs so they benefit from the world cup after its come and gone (if we get it touch wood) with updated facilities, imo:

NSW/ACT:
1. Sydney Football Stadium - Sydney FC... Should be FIFA compliant --- Needs minor upgrading
2. Telstra Stadium - New West Sydney team... Should be FIFA compliant (Host the opening game imo) ... correct
3. Energy Australia Stadium - Newcastle Jets... Major upgrade required correct
4. *DARE TO DREAM* Central Coast Mariners Stadium, Tuggerah - Central Coast Mariners (Would it become a white elephant after the w.c though? - even minimum 40k seater would be HUGE for us post w.c) impossible to expand Bluetounge to required size
5. Canberra Stadium - Future Canberra A-League team.... significant upgrade required, similar to Olympic games where it had to be upgraded .. talk of a new stadium ....i.e. why ACT gov where so keen to get an A-League team
VICTORIA:
6. Melbourne Rectangular Stadium - Melbourne Victory / Melbourne Heart... upgrade required, the things not even been built yet, they only allowed for capacity of 31,500 the idiots lol ... problems with roof read smh article a little back cannot be expanded to meet size
7. M.C.G - Should be FIFA compliant (Used only to host the final imo, not a football stadium but a true modern day colluseum, also Berlin's stadium was oval for germany 06) still needs some work but need to negotiate with AFL as they have it booked..
QLD:
8. Suncorp Stadium - Brisbane Roar... Should be FIFA compliant ... is OK
9. Skilled Park - Gold Coast United... Significant upgrade required, only 27,400 capacity ... impossible to expand to required size...
10. Dairy Farmers Stadium - Nth Qld Fury... Major upgrade required, only 26,000 capacity however would be easier up upgrade than Skilled park ... correct
S.A:
11. Hindmarsh Stadium - Adelaide United... Major upgrade required, only 16,500 capacity - although doesnt look too hard to upgrade .... impossible to upgrade to required stabdard.
W.A:
12. M.E Bank Stadium - Perth Glory... upgrade required, capacity 18,156 - maybe Subiaco is cheaper to upgrade but would be shite ... WA gov refuse to upgrade want tp upgrade Subiaco which FFA has already said does not meet FIFA requirements BIG problem in the west..

Energy australia is already being upgraded, and the next stage will be completed if we are to host, funding is there from NSW govt.

WA and SA will fall into line or miss out on massive amounts of cash. They just want rudd to throw some money.

The WC would easily pay for a demolition of bluey and rebuilding to required standard, it is not like it cost them much in the first place.

Melb rect stadium issues have not been confirmed as far as i can tell, and the story came from terror group initially i believe so would not believe it.

Skilled was not built to be upgraded. There is talk of carara, but what a waste for football.

Canberra will be involved, plans are there if green light.

Dairy farmers easy to upgrade.

The dome if used would mean we would be paying for a new 3rd afl ground so that we could use the dome. Worst possible outcome in melbourne in my opinion and better off moving second games to gong

 

[midfielder]

This looks like a very clever move by FFA ...


Getting Blatter's personal adviser as a consultant ...

http://www.theworldgame.com.au/australia/ffa-hire-top-gun-for-world-cup-hosting-bid-246511

FFA hire top gun for World Cup hosting bid

17 October 2009 | 08:57 - SBS WORLD EXCLUSIVE

Come play... Australia's World Cup hosting bid continues to gather momentum (Getty Images)

In a major coup, Football Federation Australia have engaged one of football's foremost political strategists to help their bid to bring the World Cup to Australia in either 2018 or 2022.

The World Game can exclusively reveal that Peter Hargitay, one time special advisor to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, and still a close confidant of football's globall boss, is now on the FFA payroll as its most important strategy consultant.

Hargitay's Zurich-based firm, European Consultancy Network (ECN), was engaged earlier this year before Hargitay flew to Sydney in February for three days of summit talks with the FFA's top brass on bid strategy.

Hargitay, a Swiss national who also has offices in the EU and Beijing, was Blatter's special advisor between 2002 and 2007 when he left that post after his firm was hired by the FA to help them with the England World Cup bid.

But after five months, with Lord Triesman appointed new chairman of the English body, the FA and ECN parted company and England's loss became Australia's gain.

Hargitay's inside knowledge of FIFA's political mechanics and his network of powerful contacts are considerable.

He is well acquainted with every member of FIFA's executive committee, the 24-man body which will vote on the bid decision in December next year.

Confirming the relationship, FFA chief executive Ben Buckley told The World Game: "Peter Hargitay's company, ECN, is one of a number of Australian and international consultants FFA has engaged to support our bid for the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup.

"ECN has unique experience and expertise with FIFA and in world football, and particularly in providing high level strategic and networking advice and counsel.

"We are very fortunate to have him personally and ECN working for Australia's bid."

Fortunate indeed.

This week, as part of the bid process, the Australian ambassador in Cairo, where football glitterati gathered for the FIFA Under 20 World Cup, hosted a special reception for the FFA to celebrate Australias World Cup bid.

It was attended by FIFA president Blatter, secretary general Jerome Valcke, vice-president Jack Warner and a host of world football heavyweights.

ECN drew up the guest list and handled the invitations.

Also among ECNs clients is AFC president Mohamed bin Hammam, to whom Peter Hargitay is special advisor.

 

[midfielder]

A bit more info on Peter Hargitay from the smh.... sounds a colourful character...

http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/meet-ffas-man-of-mystery/2009/10/17/1255624771126.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2

Matthew Hall
October 18, 2009

FRANK LOWY claims to not enjoy controversy but that hasn't stopped Football Federation Australia's chairman from hiring one of international football's most colourful characters to help his dream of bringing the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup to Australia.

Meet Peter Hargitay, a Swiss-Hungarian ''fixer'' and genuine international man of mystery, recently hired by FFA to boost Australia's World Cup bid at the expense of Australian taxpayers.

His job, according to FFA, is to provide "high-level strategy and networking advice and counsel", while Hargitay also claims to offer FFA "relationship building and advice to the FFA in matters of relevance to Australia's bid for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups".

FFA refuses to reveal how much it is paying Hargitay and his company, European Consultancy Network, even though funding for Australia's World Cup bids comes from a $45.6 million Federal Government grant.

At times elusive and initially reluctant to speak about his role for Australia, Hargitay consented to a rare interview, via email and under strict conditions that his answers be "published in their original form, not shortened, edited or amended in any way, shape or form. If changes are made in one answer, the entire interview MUST NOT be used."

(Still, some questions and subsequent answers for this article have been condensed or omitted for reasons of space).

Born in Hungary in 1951, Hargitay is undoubtedly as well connected as his language skills are broad.

He speaks fluent English, Hungarian, German, French and, he said, "reasonably fluent in Spanish and have a fair command of Portuguese, get by in Dutch and read/understand Swedish and Romanian. If you want to count Jamaican patois and Swiss German, you can add those to the list as well."

Hargitay grew up in Switzerland where he played football as a junior. He says he still follows FC Basel but is also a season ticket-holder at Chelsea, a team he has followed for the past 10 years.

But importantly, Hargitay was "special adviser" to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, one of the most powerful men in world sport, until December 2007 when he quit that role to work for England's 2018 World Cup bid.

Last May, Hargitay narrowly escaped disaster when an earthquake destroyed a Chinese airport from where a private jet he was travelling in had just taken off.

His fellow passengers? Asian Football Confederation president Mohammed Bin Hammam and controversial FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.

The connections firm up.

Hargitay is an adviser to Bin Hammam, who is a close associate of Lowy.

Earlier this year, Hargitay oversaw Bin Hammam's bitter, but ultimately successful, election for a place on FIFA's executive committee.

"I have been [Hammam's] adviser for a number of years and enjoy his friendship," Hargitay told The Sun-Herald. "There are numerous areas where we have worked together over time, primarily pertaining to developing football in Asia, which is his great passion.

"I continue to be close to the AFC president and was happy to assist him and his team during the election for membership in the FIFA executive committee."

The European Consultancy Network was involved in the early stages of England's 2018 bid before Lord Triesman was appointed chairman of their campaign and called for all outside consultants to reapply for their jobs through a tender process.

The European Consultancy Network declined and the Daily Mail reported Hargitay's team lost a "seven-figure contract" (in British pounds) with the Football Association in the process.

Hargitay denies the England deal was that lucrative.

"The seven-figure contract is a myth," he said. "Our initial work was in the high five figures and would have been in the six over a period of two years.

''We received a fee of 75,000 ($134,000) plus expenses for the first phase of our work; upon conclusion and delivery of the strategic plan, we received a further 25,000 fee. As for Australia, our contract is less than that.

"After we concluded our work for the England bid, we were approached by several countries, none of which we were interested to work for," Hargitay added. "We put a proposal to the FFA, which was accepted and ECN and I were asked to join them as consultants."

Hargitay's colourful CV extends far beyond football, however.

He spun public relations for the Union Carbide chemical company after the infamous 1984 factory meltdown in Bhopal, India, which killed at least 3000 people at the time and more than 20,000 since from after effects.

Hargitay also worked for Marc Rich, a US tax-fraud felon, one of America's most wanted, and notorious as a sanctions-buster during South Africa's apartheid regime.

In 1995, Hargitay was arrested, and later acquitted, of cocaine trafficking by Jamaican police.

In 1997, he was arrested by Interpol in Miami after Hungarian officials sought an extradition order and served seven months in prison as a flight risk after being charged with conspiracy to import 18 kilograms of cocaine to the United States.

He subsequently won an acquittal on all charges.

"It was indeed 'something of an experience,'" Hargitay said when asked if there was anything positive to take from that period in his life.

"Yet, what happened 11 years ago has no bearing on my work and 'acquitted of all charges' is an accurate summary of what happened. Other than that, I see no reason to revisit a matter ad nauseam where I won and powerful people who tried to frame me lost. The facts speak for themselves."

In 1999, Hargitay was employed by Swiss company ABI, which claimed to specialise in "covert operations assignments", according to its website.

But it was with the consultancy network and FIFA that he perhaps found his true calling.

Hargitay's son, Stevie, is a partner in the Cyprus company (father and son shared executive producer credits on the FIFA-backed movie trilogy Goal!) and other consultancy network employees have included former FIFA director of communications Markus Siegler.

A European Consultancy Network website, since shut down, once claimed to help clients "stay out of the media" "and to prepare such briefs, news items and alternative scoops that would divert, detract and destabilise imminent media interest."

Outside of football, the European Consultancy Network's clients include a Swiss private bank with interests in the Middle East and, in an amazing turn of events after his earlier legal drama in the country, Hargitay is now an adviser to Jamaica's Minister for Transport and Works, as well as a member of Switzerland's federal parliament, among others. He recently earned PR points for his idea to hand out show bags advertising Australia's bid at a recent football industry convention in London. As for Australia's chances in 2018 or 2022, what feedback has Hargitay received from FIFA's executive committee?

"I understand that Australia's technical bid team have made the best impression of all," he said. "They always meet all the deadlines, they are disciplined, attend all relevant FIFA meetings, deliver all requested materials in a complete manner and have demonstrated a determination and skills that have impressed many at FIFA."

Whether that's worth a consultancy network invoice being paid by Australian taxpayers is something for FFA boss Lowy's judgement.

Already well connected to FIFA's executive committee - the 24 men who vote for World Cup hosts - through his place on the organising committee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Lowy would not comment on Hargitay's appointment.

In a statement, FFA confirmed the consultancy network had been working for Australia since January, adding, "FFA does not disclose the detail of arrangements with consultants."

"I probably did rather well over time, which is why the trust grew and so did the quality and intensity of my mandate," Hargitay said, when asked of his key relationship with FIFA president Blatter. "Whether my work for FIFA and its president was an important role, as you say, is not something I would want to qualify in those terms.

''Any mandate is equally important to me and to my team. That is the nature of the beast called consulting."

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Excellent. If an experienced international coke dealer can't get our bid over the line...
Who can?

 

[dibo]

As I've heard said elsewhere, better he be in the tent pissing out than...

 

[FFC Mariner]

To get the WC in Australia, I would happily do a deal with Don Corleone if we had to

 

[Forum Phoenix]

I'm starting to see a whole slightly different line of commercials now for the "Come Play" (In Brando accent) or perhaps... Come fwuckin play.... Sopranos style.

Either way, you have to be happy about a coke dealer asking the world to "come play" in Australia  verhead:

 

[midfielder]

Asia is the key to the WC bid say Lowy .... I tend to agree this is our strongest playing card ... from the Roar today ...

By Sam Lienert

http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/10/22/asia-key-to-aussie-world-cup-bid-says-lowy/

Asia key to Aussie World Cup bid, says Lowy

Australias place in Asia can help it host a football World Cup that will reap the sport more money than the other nations vying for the honour can deliver.

That is the argument mounted by Football Federation Australia (FFA) chairman Frank Lowy, who is confident Australia will win the right to host the coveted event in either 2018 or 2022.

Lowy said Asias status as the worlds fastest growing economic region and a developing sporting landscape should help persuade footballs world governing body FIFA to capitalise.

We are able to show that bringing the game to Australia and having the Asian continent with us at the same timezone will benefit not only Australia, not only Asia, but the whole football world, Lowy said at a Melbourne Victory business lunch on Wednesday.

Because the income thats been projected for the television rights and other income will be larger than if they go anywhere else.

Nobody can offer what we can offer.

We are the backyard or frontyard for Asia, we know how to stage big events and the audience that is going to watch us, I think its two thirds of the world audience that is going to watch us, and that of course can be translated into dollars and cents.

The other countries bidding for one or both of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to be decided in December next year are Spain and Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands, England, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Russia and the USA.

But Lowy said Australia offered the sport an unrivalled development opportunity.

Asian development in sport is such that if the World Cup comes to this part of the world then I think they will be able to cash in and sort of monopolise with football, because the other sports havent taken off yet, he said.

If you look at America, its a great country, a great sporting nation, but football can get nowhere, everything is occupied already, television rights, and its the same story in many other parts of the world.

So I am confident, I believe we are entitled to one of those two World Cups, hopefully 2018.

Lowy said it would provide an unbelievable boost for football in Australia.

From the moment Australia is announced as the host for a World Cup the interest level in football here will go through the roof, he said.

This will be a nation-changing event it will shine the international spotlight on us like never before.

 

[curious]

If you look at America, its a great country, a great sporting nation, but football can get nowhere, everything is occupied already, television rights, and its the same story in many other parts of the world.

This part I don't get. The sporting landscapes in the US and here are similar in most ways, including the MLS/A-league in crowded markets dominated by traditional sports, so I would have thought we have more in common with America than not.

Lowy said it would provide an unbelievable boost for football in Australia.

From the moment Australia is announced as the host for a World Cup the interest level in football here will go through the roof, he said.

To play the devils advocate, I disagree with frank on this as far as the aleague goes, based on the effect of WC hosting on the MLS, Jleague and Kleague and also the human nature tendency to be spoiled by world class level football, then not want to settle for a local comp level that's poor in comparison.
The Euro/EPL snob type syndrome, if you like, increased by quite a degree if the Socceroos had an ordinary WC in their home country. Heaven forbid. 

 

[dibo]

for performance of the side, i think 2018 is when the FFA's new development programs and new coaching curriculum will be delivering the full dividend. 2022 will obviously be similar. the boys who have spent their entire time under FFA development schedules will be rolling off the production line.

in the meantime, the boys who are getting a real taste of professionalism in the football finishing school that is the NYL will by then be seasoned professionals.

a mix of these kids, and the few who are already overseas in their teens, will likely form the squad for these world cups. that's not a bad prospect.

as for WCs have done for domestic leagues, i disagree with lowy's view on the MLS. the MLS is doing very well and looking to grow further with philadelphia, vancouver and portland all set to come in in the next year or two. other cities are interested too.

if they get one of the world cups in 2018 or 2022 it will only get bigger as football specific stadiums are built (a note on NFL stadiums - a *lot* of them are actually too narrow for FIFA's liking, as an american football field is only 50 yards or about 45m across, compared to a football field's 68m).

the J-League and less so, the K-League are extremely professional, high standard leagues. the money is massive compared to us, and that's basically from a difference in corporate support - their attendances across the board aren't that much higher than ours.

all in all, those three leagues are pretty much the prototype for 'new world' football leagues. if we can get to that sort of level, we'll be doing just fine.

 

[midfielder]

Boy am I glad Frank is on our side ... makes you wonder what will happens when he leaves... his great desire was to leave the code in good enough to look after itself...

Article by MC from the smh ... Frank is vey important...

http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/the-2b-football-bandwagon-is-big-enough-to-even-give-dinosaurs-alift/2009/10/25/1256405308443.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

The $2b football bandwagon is big enough to even give dinosaurs a lift
$2b in infrastructure spending that will benefit all codes is on offer if Australia hosts a World Cup, so it is in their interests to play ball with the FFA.

Michael Cockerill
October 26, 2009

Fortunately, it's not self-interest that will shape Australia's bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. It's national interest, and in that context, Frank Lowy couldn't ask for a better referee. Kevin Rudd gets it, whether the usual assortment of saboteurs like it or not. And it will be the Prime Minister who will rule on the crucial question of infrastructure. Not blinkered officials from rival codes, or feral editors waging a losing battle against a changing sporting landscape. Which, when you consider Rudd is in Canberra because he represents the majority of Australians, is how it should be.

Predictably, inevitably, last week's statement of the obvious by Ben Buckley that rival sports will have to put up with a bit of disruption if the biggest sporting event in the world were to come to Australia unleashed the hounds.

By December, Football Federation Australia must complete its list of 12 World Cup stadiums, with all the associated guarantees. Those guarantees include exclusive use of the stadiums starting a month before the World Cup, and - in some cases - a requirement that no other major sporting event can be held in the same city as World Cup matches. Whether that includes NRL or AFL fixtures, nobody yet knows.

Whatever the case, there has been broad agreement between the four football codes about supporting the World Cup bid. Until now. True enough, there is some devil in the detail, but not enough to catch the rival codes unaware. The key people in the NRL, AFL and ARU always knew their own competitions could be disrupted, because the FFA told them so.

Now that commitments have to be made, however, some people are getting mischievous. Maybe, just maybe, the rival codes can scupper the World Cup bid. Maybe, just maybe, that's always been part of the master plan. Jealousy is a curse, and there are 45 million reasons the rival codes might be jealous. Rudd's generosity to football has not only upset the balance of power, it has upset some powerful sporting officials. The phones are starting to ring hot.

Here's the rub. If this coalition of the unwilling does kill Australia's chances, who really loses? Football will be disappointed, and Lowy will be devastated. But the game has the safety net of Asia - the fastest growing football economy in the world - to rebound from the setback. The other codes, with their small international footprints in an increasingly globalised market, have what exactly?

John O'Neill, who has a unique perspective, understands that by all the key measures, the horse has already bolted in terms of stopping football's progress in Australia. Truth is, it's in the best interests of all the sports to get along. And the World Cup is the perfect example of a win-win. Not - based on the reactionaries - that you'd know it.

Here's North Queensland Cowboys boss Peter Parr quoted in The Daily Telegraph: ''I imagine there would be a lot of people in North Queensland, which is rugby league heartland, that would say, 'Why do we have to suspend our competition for a soccer tournament?' albeit something as big as the World Cup. I just don't see why you would do it. They wouldn't get me to put my hand up to agree with it.''

Here's Parr, quoted the same day in his local newspaper, the Townsville Bulletin, about the news Dairy Farmer's Stadium would get a complete facelift if the World Cup bid succeeds: ''We are hopeful that something would happen before 2018 but if the soccer World Cup was to come here, and if that was the catalyst for it to happen, then we would obviously be all for it.''

Funny that. This is the reality: the last time football staged a major international tournament in Australia - the 2000 Olympic Games - the game got stitched up by rival administrators, in bed with a compliant government. Stadiums in Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney got significant public-funded upgrades because of football, but football itself only benefited in the case of Adelaide (Hindmarsh Stadium). Lowy simply will not let it happen again.

If rival sports want to enjoy the fruits of $2 billion worth of stadium redevelopment, they will have to give something in return. That is, sacrificing a few weeks of their seasons and accepting hiring arrangements that reflect a new reality. On this point, Lowy is intransigent. No legacy, no World Cup. And this time Australia's most important taxpayer is on his side.

 

[dibo]

Article by MC from the smh ... Frank is vey important...

oy vey?

 

[adz]

... Frank KRudd is vey important...

???

 

[marinermick]

Did anyone see Jack Warner on SBS last evening? Such an arrogant f**ker and corrupt to the bone.

 

[midfielder]

Ben Buckley discusses the A-League with or without a successful WCB.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/a-league/win-or-lose-cup-bids-game-is-here-to-stay-says-buckley/2009/11/07/1257247789376.html

Win or lose Cup bids, game is here to stay, says Buckley

David Sygall

November 8, 2009

BEN BUCKLEY is confident that pressure on the domestic league will not affect the nation's bids to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

The Football Federation Australia chief executive also believes that even if the bids fail, the sport will continue to grow and reflect its grassroots popularity.

Despite falling A-League crowd numbers and clubs in financial strife, resources are being poured into the bids, including providing FIFA with a list of 12 appropriate stadiums for the tournament as the next step in the bid process.

The FFA must beat applications from England, the US, Russia, Japan, joint proposals from Belgium-Netherlands and Spain-Portugal. England is believed to be the favourite. Meanwhile, Qatar and South Korea are bidding for the 2022 tournament.

If Australia is awarded hosting rights for either of the World Cups, it will be a huge boost for the game here. But Buckley says the way forward will continue whether Australia's bids are successful or not.

''Football will not be in a predicament if we are not successful - not that we entertain this option,'' Buckley said.

''We have the highest participation rate of any football code, we have a growing competition, we have men's and women's national teams that are competitive and performing at the highest level. None of this will stop if the bid is not successful.''

Asked if the A-League's niggles were affecting FIFA's perception of football culture in Australia, the ever-positive Buckley said: ''Not at all. For a start, crowds are actually up in four clubs - Sydney, Wellington, Perth and Adelaide - and only marginally down overall.''

Buckley deflected a question about the ACT Government's reported intention to withdraw its support for the bids. He said: ''We have no advice from the ACT Government to say that they have withdrawn [their] support.''

He said progress had been made in the FFA's meetings with other football codes about FIFA's directive that they suspend their season for two months during a World Cup.

''We have met on a number of occasions with each of the football codes and discussed the issues with them,'' Buckley said. ''There is more work to do but we will continue to work with them.

''I think all the codes realise that an event as significant as the FIFA World Cup here in Australia is something of benefit to future generations and for the entire country.''

After the list of stadiums is submitted, the next step for the FFA is, in May, to present a ''bid book'' that outlines full details of the bids.

''Australia is ready to host a World Cup,'' Buckley said. ''We've hosted two Olympic Games, four Commonwealth Games, rugby and cricket world cups and a World Expo The FIFA World Cup is the greatest show on earth and is the next logical step for us as a country.

''Each time Australia has hosted a [global] mega-event, it has helped catapult Australia onto a larger global stage and been a catalyst for the nation's further development.''

 

[goingtoadisco]

To get the WC in Australia, I would happily do a deal with Don Corleone if we had to

Not many things i wouldnt do for the wc !

 

[BAD BULLZ]

I didnt read it all but financial review said the bids in turmoil. Something about the states baulking at the 2billion dollar stadium costs.

 

[dibo]

FFS - they're in negotiations. the feds aren't going to come out and say "if the states aren't paying up, we'll pick up the tab", and vice versa. i'm confident that stadia and their funding will be sorted by the time the bid book goes in.

we've got to work with what (and who) we've got. in my view there's pretty much nothing that could or would be done any differently.

at the moment, the negatives i've seen have for the most part been from people who are desperate to leap onto any bit of negative news. there's not been a lot of positive news because like a duck, all the movement's under the water. when the bid book is done and out, then there'll be something to talk about.

for anyone who doesn't remember the pre-2000 olympics bid period, there were scant bits of news drip-fed out, and it wasn't even really until the win was announced it all went completely public. even then, many details changed from the time the bid went in to the final event. if anyone imagines this is going to be any different they're in dreamland.