tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55636410663420272.post6240679174774535837..comments2023-12-27T06:44:09.195+00:00Comments on Polly's Pause for Sport: England's Failed 2018 World Cup Bid: The true failure will be if England does not now finally pursue the truth and expose FIFA's corruptionDominic Pollardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15873610807787984958noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55636410663420272.post-46159080104605181852010-12-04T09:47:22.353+00:002010-12-04T09:47:22.353+00:00There's clearly something very wrong with a bi...There's clearly something very wrong with a bidding process in which Jack Warner controls 15% of the votes. England aside, Australia getting just one vote was staggering, given everything Blatter said about taking football to "new lands".<br /><br />The whole process reeks.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11492434940865733042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55636410663420272.post-87036878052324092332010-12-03T18:27:57.655+00:002010-12-03T18:27:57.655+00:00Needless to say I very much agree with your first ...Needless to say I very much agree with your first point. As for a tier-based system for International football, I am not so sure. I don't know if I fully understand your suggestions but if only the elite league of countries could compete in the major tournaments then this would surely detract from the appeal of things like the World Cup. The participation of the minnows is a big appeal of these things. Moreover, I think this would only serve to exacerbate the gulf in class between the top and bottom teams in International football. Plus, regional qualification does also help to ensure a representation from each continent, it is not purely logistically inspired.<br /><br />That being said, your idea of a round robin qualification system does sound interesting. The current way it is done does need revising. Taking countries out for tiny periods within the domestic seasons makes for bad games, angry managers and sub-par performances. Having extended periods for teams to train and play together would help for the actual tournaments. Generally though I agree, International football needs changes and this must start with a full shake down of FIFA.Dominic Pollardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15873610807787984958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55636410663420272.post-50203952387290607352010-12-03T12:15:43.910+00:002010-12-03T12:15:43.910+00:00Thoroughly agree with the article. Exposing corru...Thoroughly agree with the article. Exposing corruption is much more important than hosting the World Cup. In seeking change to the Leadership of Football we have to ensure we do not replace one set of old farts for another set of old farts who operate in the same way but with different set of friends. <br /><br />I think it makes sense that International football should be organised in tiers based on ability (with promotion and relegation) as this seems to be the universal way that all football associations are organised, and seems to work. This means that qualification tournaments could be redsuced in size and the Finals tournament back to a sensible 16 teams (with cost and logistic benefits). The teams in lower tiers could also have tournaments and these associations could gain some experience of staging a major tournament before they get to host a world cup final. The current model of regional qualification was valid when global travel was limited, expensive and time-consuming but now global travel is relatively easy. Could even review the qualification process - why have a series of home and away games over 18 months? With samller groups why not have a round robin tournament the summer before eg a 5 team group playing each other once over 2 weeks in neutral territory. This has the benefit of qualifying under Tournament conditions. I could go on but I think every aspect of how inyternational football is organised should be revised.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com