Australia's bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup

[FFC Mariner]

LOL, if we get the WC, the States will be falling over themselves to be part of it.

NSW & Vic are pretty well sorted, its only the minor (read expendable) States that have an issue.

So if SA,QLd & WA dont want to be part of it, fine

 

[midfielder]

Call me soft headed ... but I think we have a real good chance of getting 2022 ... I assume Europe will get 2018... Then it is a choice between the US & Asia for 2022...

Given there are eight bidders for 2018 - Australia, England, Russia, Japan, the US, Indonesia and joint Belgium-Netherlands and Portugal-Spain.

The eight, plus Qatar and South Korea, in 2022.

I assume we are the Asian pick as Japan & Korea have had it and Indonesia & Qatar will not win.

Thus US V Asia ... not US V Australia... Asia is not as fixed onto football as Europe or South Amercia ... in fact other sports like cricket, basketball, baseball, Rugby Union are all pushing themselves into China Japan Keroa etc also FIFA would love another crack of getting India more into playing... so maybe FIFA will choose Asian to remain at the top of the heap and if they choose Asia I think it will be Australian will be the Asian choice...

Wakes up ... stops one handed typing ...... and hopes Obie Wan can do it.

 

[midfielder]

HHHHHHHMMMMMMMMM and you tho only the Terror RL jurno's got in the gutter ...from the smh today

http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/bid-for-soccer-world-cup-puts-struggling-nrl-clubs-at-risk/2009/11/13/1258043793207.html

Bid for soccer world cup puts struggling NRL clubs at risk

Jacquelin Magnay
November 14, 2009

RUGBY league officials fear the Federal Government will introduce legislation to ban the State of Origin and other big matches for two months - threatening the future of several clubs - if Australia wins its $45 million bid to host the soccer World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

It comes as Geoff Dixon, the former head of Qantas, is set to head a small committee to steer the world cup bid, bringing together warring state governments who have thrown the financial onus for the event back on the Federal Government.

They want it to guarantee the $2 billion required to build and adapt the 12 stadiums that will be needed if the bid is successful.

Football officials have to sign a document by December 11 guaranteeing that Australia would be able to satisfy the technical requirements for hosting the world cup. These include government guarantees about stadiums, safety, security, accommodation and insurance indemnities.

The Council of Australian Governments meeting is held just days before that deadline.

As well as having the financial infrastructure plan and pulling together a unified political response, Mr Dixon will also have to placate uneasy executives from rugby league, rugby union and the Australian Football League in the next few months to get them on side to support the rival code in an effort to persuade soccer's governing body FIFA that the country is behind the bid.

But government officials have hinted to rugby league that they are prepared to follow FIFA guidelines and introduce laws to force compliance with FIFA world cup regulations if the rival codes are not supportive.

These require that stadiums be available for the month-long world cup, and for up to four weeks before the event to prepare the grounds. FIFA also demands that no other big sporting event occur at the same time as the world cup, or seven days before in any of the world cup host cities.

The chief operations manager of the NRL, Graham Annesley, told a conference of Leagues Clubs Australia on the Gold Coast that the future of several clubs was in danger if the Federal Government forced it to suspend or move matches from their supporter heartland even for a few matches. He said therequirements of a successful world cup bid would make it difficult for the NRL to negotiate its television rights deal, which expires in 2012.

The chief executive of the league, David Gallop, said an eight-week shutdown '' would be difficult for us to agree to''. But he said if legislation was introduced ''it would not be our intention to break the law''.

A spokeswoman for the federal Sports Minister, Kate Ellis, said legislation would be ''the last resort''.

The chief executive of Football Federation Australia, Ben Buckley, said: ''I don't believe a world cup in Australia would mean the end of other sports or sporting clubs. Australia is big enough to absorb many sports. While the sporting environment is competitive, none of us has an objective of seeing the end of another. The reality is that, because most venues are for multiple sport use, all sports would benefit from any improvements to infrastructure.''

The need for urgency in world cup planning is because a deal must be struck in time for the bid book to be printed. It is due to be delivered to FIFA on May 14.

Stadiums used for the world cup must have a minimum capacity of 40,000 capacity and there must be at least two venues capable of seating 80,000 for the opening game and the final game.

Stadiums that will be modified are ANZ Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park, the Sydney Football Stadium, Newcastle Stadium, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Etihad at Docklands in Melbourne, Dairy Farmers Stadium at Townsville, Subiaco Stadium in Perth and a stadium in Adelaide. New stadiums may be built in Canberra and western Sydney, possibly at Blacktown.

, Ms Ellis said the 15-month Crawford review of sports funding would be made public next week, but she said a budget cut of 15 per cent cut across the board was ''rubbish''. However, the Herald understands that cuts are expected to funding for athletes with Olympic medal chances and the national talent identification program. Since the Herald reported the proposed cuts, the funding of both of those programs has been under review.

The Crawford report also recommends absorbing the Australian Sports Commission into the Department of Health and creating a stand-alone Australian Institute of Sport.

 

[midfielder]

This looks like a good appointment ...

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/2009InsideFFA/default.aspx?s=insideffa_newsfeatures_newsitem_new&id=30685

FFA welcomes cross-government supportFriday, 13 November 2009
by FFA


Ben Buckley Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO, Ben Buckley, this evening welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, on the appointment of "cross-government envoys" to assist the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments in their role with Australia's bid for the 2018-2022 FIFA World Cup.

Ellis named Geoff Dixon, former CEO of Qantas, and Ron Harvey, Vice President of the Australian Olympic Committee as envoys.

"This is an important step in achieving a whole-of-government approach that is essential for Australia to submit a technically compliant bid," said Buckley.

"A FIFA World Cup bid involves complex challenges for government around government guarantees, stadium infrastructure and the displacement of other sporting codes.

"The role of the envoys can fulfill a valuable role in reinforcing the unanimous commitment of Australian Governments to the bid, agreed by COAG in March last year."

Buckley said the three priorities must be addressed in time for the 11 December Bidding Agreement to be submitted to FIFA.

"We appreciate the efforts of the Federal Government to present a united approach with the States and Territories, and look forward to working with all governments and the envoys to submit the strongest possible bid."

 

[midfielder]

FFA's idea of making sure it is shared not just the East Coast is good.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/soccer/melbourne-could-be-denied-cup-finals/2009/11/14/1258043834469.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

MELBOURNE and the MCG could miss out on a World Cup semi-final and final if Australia wins its bid to host the largest event in world sport.

No decision has been made on where key matches would be held, but scenarios have been looked at by the bid team in which Melbourne hosts the opening game - including the opening ceremony - with semi-finals played in Brisbane and Perth and the final played in Sydney.

FIFA regulations state stadiums with capacity of 80,000 or more must host the first game and final of the tournament. Only the MCG and Sydney's Olympic Stadium would be eligible to share those fixtures.

But stadiums that hold 60,000 or more can host semi-finals. At present, only Melbourne and Sydney can meet that requirement but with a new stadium required in Perth and an upgraded Suncorp Stadium needed in Brisbane for Australia's bid to proceed, semi-finals could be powerful bargaining chips as the Football Federation Australia tries to persuade state governments to commit the funds needed to build the new facilities.

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett claimed this week that the FFA had shopped around the semi-finals, offering them to several states in exchange for building new stadiums. Those claims were rejected by FFA chief Ben Buckley yesterday.

''We have not 'offered' matches to anyone, as it is not the time to do so,'' Buckley said. ''What we have said is that, to be eligible for one of the semi-finals, a minimum 60,000-seat stadium is required.''

The FFA is keen to ensure the bid - and any subsequent tournament - is an Australia-wide enterprise and is not overly focused on Sydney and Melbourne.

The year-long stand-off between state and federal governments over who will fund stadium redevelopments and other financial guarantees required by FIFA continues to hamper Australia's bid.

The FFA has twice this year been asked by both levels of government to ask FIFA for an extension of the December 11 deadline for providing government guarantees. In both cases, the global body made it clear all bidders must meet the deadline and no special treatment would be afforded to Australia.

State and federal governments are reluctant to sign the guarantees FIFA requires around insurance and indemnity, transport and security as each is concerned that signing such documents will leave them saddled with the cost of providing those services should the bid be successful. Each level of government is hoping the other will cover those costs.

So intractable has the stand-off between governments become that former Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon has been appointed to try to negotiate an outcome that will see the necessary government guarantees agreed to by the December 11 deadline and force a breakthrough in the dispute over who will fund $2 billion in stadium works in the event of a successful bid.

The difficulties come as the bid gathers strength in other areas. One source told The Sunday Age the AFL is growing increasingly convinced that Australia is likely to land the 2022 event and has begun planning accordingly.

One of the issues that must be addressed is whether the indigenous code will be required to suspend its competition during the World Cup. FIFA rules forbid cup host cities from holding any other major sporting events during the tournament and the weeks leading in.

A worst-case scenario could see the AFL forced to suspend all matches for two months. But the FFA does not believe the FIFA edict applies to the AFL season, believing Australian football does not qualify as a major international event. It is more likely that the season will be slowed and some matches relocated to regional venues.

While there have been several meetings between the FFA and AFL on the subject, no official request has been put to the AFL. Should the league be required to move or postpone matches, it is likely to want compensation, which would need to be funded by the federal government.

Meanwhile, Australia's lobbying effort continues apace. High-ranking FIFA delegates, including president Sepp Blatter, North American powerbroker Jack Warner and other members of the executive committee that will vote in December 2010 to award the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, were entertained during the under-20 World Cup in Egypt last month.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Semi at Suncorp. Tick

Anything at MCG, epic fail. What is it about its not rectangular that seems to confuse people?

 

[marinermick]

FIFA gives Australian World Cup bid ringing endorsement

November 15, 2009 FIFA Executive Committee member Jack Warner says Australia has an "excellent chance" of hosting the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking at a reception hosted by Australian High Commissioner Jeff Hart in the Nigerian capital Abuja, Warner said it was ridiculous to describe Australia as too "far away".

"God created the world round for a reason: distance is relative to where you stand," Warner said on Sunday in a Football Federation Australia statement.

"And the Australian continent is nearer to two-thirds of the world's population than most other places. So what's the fuss?

"Australia created the best-ever Olympics and demonstrated an ability to host and manage some of the biggest sporting events in the world with class, expertise and with a dedication to excellence.

"If there is a country that truly deserves to host the FIFA World Cup, then it is the island continent of Australia."

Warner paid tribute to the Socceroos who have qualified for a second consecutive World Cup.

"Australia is known to be a sporting nation and a country of happy and warm-hearted people," the West Indian said.

"If you ask me, Australia has an excellent chance of succeeding with its bid.

"I am impressed with what I see and I know that many of my colleagues are as well."



AAP

 

[dibo]

It's interesting that there's an event in Nigeria at the Australian High Commission and Jack Warner's there.

I wonder if any of Issa HAYATOU (Cameroon), Amos ADAMU (Nigeria), Jacques ANOUMA (Cte d'Ivoire) or Hany ABO RIDA (Egypt) were also there? That's 5 votes in a room... We need 13.

EDIT - at the very least, 5 votes keeps you in the ballot long enough to see off the first couple of rounds of eliminations and you start to scavenge votes - if you're enough people's second choices after their own favourite bids falter, then you can get up. There's even the possibility of a USA/Australia joint ticket between them simply denying England a majority for long enough to then have eliminated nations get them over the line.

Have I ever mentioned I love politics?

 

[midfielder]

It's interesting that there's an event in Nigeria at the Australian High Commission and Jack Warner's there.

I wonder if any of Issa HAYATOU (Cameroon), Amos ADAMU (Nigeria), Jacques ANOUMA (Cte d'Ivoire) or Hany ABO RIDA (Egypt) were also there? That's 5 votes in a room... We need 13.

EDIT - at the very least, 5 votes keeps you in the ballot long enough to see off the first couple of rounds of eliminations and you start to scavenge votes - if you're enough people's second choices after their own favourite bids falter, then you can get up. There's even the possibility of a USA/Australia joint ticket between them simply denying England a majority for long enough to then have eliminated nations get them over the line.

Have I ever mentioned I love politics?

Dibo

Excellent obversation ... but Mick as for Jack Warner ... well he is a honest straight shouting guy I think ? ? !

 

[dibo]

but Mick as for Jack Warner ... well he is a honest straight shouting guy I think ? ? !

I doubt the bloke can piss straight.

 

[mariners4ever]

anyone know if this will be on T.V ???

 

[serious14]

anyone know if this will be on T.V ???

The draw??

I imagine SBS would show it.

 

[goingtoadisco]

Was last time.

 

[curious]

Have I ever mentioned I love politics?

You would be interested to know that Dr Henry Kissinger is on the USA Bid Committee.

 

[midfielder]

AFL folk seem to almost be wishing we don't win the bid ... from Real Footy...

http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/afl-seeks-compensation-for-world-cup-disruption/2009/11/19/1258219924147.html

AFL seeks compensation for World Cup disruption
Caroline Wilson
November 20, 2009

BATTLE lines are being drawn between the AFL and its greatest threat - soccer - over Australia's bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick held crisis talks yesterday with the 16 clubs in which he outlined how a successful bid by Football Federation Australia could hurt the home-and-away season.

The clubs have also been made aware of the detrimental long-term impact upon memberships, corporate support and TV ratings.

Fitzpatrick and AFL executive Gillon McLachlan also revealed to club presidents and chief executives key elements of the league's strategy to seek some compromises from the world game's governing body FIFA and also ensure the competition was given adequate compensation.

The AFL will hold talks not only with Australian soccer chiefs but also the Federal Government, fearful of the impact on the competition should it be forced to move games from every Australian mainland capital city for up to 10 weeks in the middle of the 2018 or 2022 seasons.

The Age understands that all those who attended yesterday's talks were told not to speak publicly about the AFL's plans. Western Bulldogs president David Smorgon, who could not attend, said last night: ''Why would you give a free handpass to your biggest competitor? You would want some adequate compensation.''

The clubs were told that the AFL, having only just received full details of the FIFA demands, have until December 10 to seek a number of compromises and assurances of multimillion-dollar compensation from the Federal Government. Despite grave concerns from clubs and their governing body the view was that the AFL would not attempt to block the bid.

With the World Cup final held every four years around the middle of July, Fitzpatrick told clubs that the season would be severely affected for a total of 10 weeks with five weeks of competition, the four-week build-up preceding that and one subsequent week for the FIFA World Cup caravan to move out of the key venues. The final would be held at the MCG or Homebush.

The AFL has looked at starting the season significantly earlier and ending it in late October with the view that there would be little point in holding blockbuster games anywhere in the country while the World Cup was being contested. In 2000 the season ended three weeks early to fit in with the Sydney Olympics.

Under FIFA's guidelines the only AFL venues available during the five weeks of World Cup competition over June and July would be Launceston's Aurora Stadium, Darwin's Tio Stadium and Skilled Stadium in Geelong. By 2018 the AFL competition will involve nine games each week.

As Fitzpatrick understood it, the MCG and Etihad Stadium would be unavailable during the World Cup and no other Melbourne venue could host AFL games.

Under FIFA regulations no major competitions can take place in any city hosting World Cup matches for the duration of the tournament. Grounds being used for matches have to be clean of all existing advertising and not used for the four weeks leading up to the competition matches.

Although the AFL is pushing for a number of compromises, key soccer sources told The Age that FIFA would not relax any guidelines.

The National Rugby League was also this week planning to fight some of the FIFA rules.

The Federal Government has pledged to build $2 billion worth of infrastructure should Australia win the World Cup bid against daunting opposition.

In Melbourne's case, World Cup games would be held at Etihad Stadium and the MCG. In Sydney, it would be ANZ Stadium and Sydney Football Stadium, with major venues in Brisbane, Adelaide, Newcastle, the Gold Coast, Canberra and Perth also used.

Fitzpatrick told clubs yesterday that the AFL would struggle under current guidelines to host matches in the four weeks leading up to the main competition as other non-matchday venues would be designated as FIFA training grounds and could not be used for Australian football or league matches during that period.

This could include venues such as Victoria Park, Visy Park and the Punt Road Oval.

Effectively, soccer's rival codes would have to shut down for up to 10 weeks, or move the bulk of their competitions to regional areas.

Although Australia's bid document has a deadline of May 2010, the Federal Government must sign off on the terms and conditions of the bid by December 10.

By the May deadline the FFA must submit its final document on match venues, stadiums and infrastructure to FIFA.

The FIFA executive will choose which countries will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups at a meeting in Switzerland in December 2010.

FFA chief Ben Buckley, formerly Andrew Demetriou's No. 2 at the AFL, has been optimistic that the two codes can reach agreement and has pointed to significant upgrades to be undertaken at Subiaco, the Adelaide Oval - expected to become an AFL venue - and Carrara on the Gold Coast should Australia win the right to host the World Cup.

Demetriou has been on paternity leave.

 

[midfielder]

Gotta love Obie Wan ... I so glad he is running football ....

From the smh today.. and I tend to agree with him that Asia has the worlds biggest TV audience and is still on as fixed on football as other confredations...

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26394838-23215,00.html
FFA Chairman Frank Lowy talks up World Cup in Australia
By staff writers

November 24, 2009 .A FIFA World Cup in Australia would present an 'immense commercial opportunity' for FIFA and its commercial partners according to Football Federation Australia Chairman, Frank Lowy.

Speaking at the prestigious International Football Arena conference in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, Lowy said that world football must make the most of the opportunity offered by the burgeoning growth of Asia.

Not only is Asia the centre of the future of the worlds economy, but it is also the centre of the future of world football.

Lowy dismissed suggestions that a FIFA World Cup in Australia would be less commercially attractive than other parts of the world.

On the contrary, Australia being part of Asia can mean that FIFA can potentially generate greater revenues over time, Lowy said.

Current FIFA partners already have significant Asian revenues.

This is a consequence of the enormous population base and continuing growth in the region.

Asia is home to two-thirds of the worlds population, and is expected to be four times the combined population of developed western economies by 2020.

Lowy said that the difference is even more pronounced amongst youth where Asias population is seven times greater than developed economies.

He added that companies such as Coca Cola, Sony, Adidas and Visa have all identified Asia and its emerging middle class as the key growth market in the period ahead, and other companies are already successfully using the game to target Asia.

In addition to the population growth, the economic growth of the region projected over the next 10 to 20 years is staggering.

GDP in Asia will double between 2005 and 2013, that by 2020 it is estimated that the GDP of Asia will be around 2 times greater than that of the major western economies.

Lowy said that Australia believes world football must act now to make the most of the opportunity in the Asian region.

A FIFA World Cup in the Asian region would secure the future of football in the region as well as give FIFA and its commercial partners the opportunity to generate maximum revenues.

He said that, with Australias strong track record in hosting major events, as well as the quality of its infrastructure and facilities made Australia an obvious choice for a FIFA World Cup.

Lowy, FFA CEO Ben Buckley, and other members of the Bid team for the 2018-2022 FIFA World Cup will be in Cape Town next week to present Australias bid to a global football and media audience.

 

[dibo]

"Obi-Wan" - no 'e'. Why do you call him "Obi-Wan" anyway? Is there a list of nicknames for people and things that was sent around in a memo that I missed?

 

[fedelta]

I struggle to decipher midfielder's posts tbh

 

[midfielder]

Dibbo we have discussed this before ahnnnnnnnnn what can I say Those that understand no explanation needed, those that dont, no explanation will do.

 

[Part_Timer]

dibo*