Keitho

Interesting article alleging bribery by Qatar........ http://offthebench.nbcsports.com/2010/12/14/jonathan-alter-qatar-may-have-paid-10-mil-for-each-fifa-vote/

Excellent post Eusebius. I posted regularly on this forum, as a fan, who saves a little every month to go to the world cup every 4 years. My opinions are formed by my experience as a fan, and what I feel would be the best host for supporters who travel to the Finals. World cup finals draws were always watched avidly, hoping you were drawn to play in Rome or Florence for their history, New York or Boston for the bars, or Tokyo for something crazy. In 2022 if I bother..... ? its gonna be Doha in 45 degrees or....... 30 km from Doha in 43 degrees..... I'm already apathetic. Recent finals like

I fail to see what is 'neat' about giving the World cup to a country that doesnt allow women to drive, flogs homosexuals, and doesnt allow people to drink alcohol (except in special 'fanzones'). A country with severely limited press freedom, that pays foreign 'guest' workers a pittance. There is nothing 'neat' about having 12 stadiums in what is essentially an area the size of a large city. This world cup will leave ZERO legacy. I dont but the rubbish that stadiums will be shipped off to other parts of the world whatsoever. A dreadful decision by a dreadful corrupt organisation. I have been to

Qatar wins the 2022 bid. Men with more money than sense used to buy football clubs. Now they buy World Cups. The Abramovichification of football continues......

Thats a non starter, but good in theory. FIFA will not allow teams to have the very real advantage of playing three group games in the same city. This will allow teams to have a 'home' stadium in effect, and would eliminate the need to change hotels, travel to the next city etc and generally allow these teams to be more settled. No chance. Not even Sepp would go for this.

I'm from ireland originally but living in Sydney now. I am quite sceptical of the Oz bid, not that they couldn't do it but that it would not be a very good tournament for fans. The logistics are simply a nightmare and Oz is a lot less fun to visit in Winter. I speak with a fair amount of experience having been to 5 World cups (I'm 39 now) and kind of know what made for the best experience for me. Germany was by far the best WC I have been to, (and Ireland didn't even qualify) Fantastic organisation, great cities, every country brought a big support. France was the 'worst', but still good.

Very good points Rob. I would still argue for the inclusion of Cardiff as we all know Wales is not really a 'country' in its own right The geographical issue regarding Plymouth is nothing to worry about. Just look at bids from USA Russia and especially Australia. Olympic stadium will not happen. Spurs will get it. BTW do England plan to actually use THREE stadiums in London? This has never been allowed by FIFA. England will definitely win either bid (probably 2018). Its just a pity that the rotation policy of FIFA could leave the door open to the other bid being won at the expense of more

I'm quite surprised that Twickenham rugby stadium is not being considered in an England bid. 80000 seats and a fantastic stadium. Although the following are not actually in England, its also a pity that the England bid does not use the millennium stadium in Cardiff 75000 (?), Celtic Park in Glasgow 60000 and Murrayfield in Edinburgh 60000. These would surely be better options than the likes of Milton Keynes or Nottingham. It could still be an England bid with only England qualifying as hosts. After all the English FA Cup was played in Cardiff several times while Wembley was rebuilt.