Page 1 of 4
Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 10:14 am
by Lotus
Thought this warranted a separate topic, as it has wider implications than just football.
With the report that came out last week essentially clearing FIFA/Qatar/Russia of any wrongdoing in the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, it's once again brought FIFA and its dodgy reputation in the headlines.
Then, today:
Former FA chairman David Bernstein said it was time for drastic action against football's world governing body.
He believes the tournament would not be taken seriously without Europe's major nations and that a boycott would be supported by the English public.
Bernstein has also resigned from Fifa's anti-discrimination taskforce.
He described it as "ineffectual" and wishes to end his ties with Fifa.
In an exclusive interview, the 71-year-old also said:
• Fifa is a "totalitarian" set-up that reminds him of "the old Soviet empire" and is "beyond ridicule".
• The credibility of football is "suffering enormously" under the current Fifa regime.
• Choosing Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup was "one of the most ludicrous decisions in the history of sport".
• Fifa president Sepp Blatter will remain in power "unless someone does something about it".
Bernstein has chosen to speak out following the publication of a report into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
The Fifa document looked at allegations of corruption but appeared to clear Russia and Qatar, who will host the tournaments, of any wrongdoing.
Begs several questions really.
> If England led the boycott, would other nations follow?
> Would there be public/fan backing of this kind of boycott?
> Would big corporate sponsors (McDonalds, Coca Cola, etc) feel pressured to pull their support, and actually do so?
Interested in people’s thoughts.
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 10:18 am
by False
The English public would only support it because we arent going to win it
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 10:20 am
by Fatal Exception
Would anyone but England notice if England didn't turn up?
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 10:25 am
by Wedgie
FIFA wouldn't care. After all it's well known that they don't like England.
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 10:38 am
by BID0
Should have done it a decade ago when England were still remotely relevant.
Now it just looks like a bunch of bad losers throwing a tantrum because they didn't get to host the party.
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 10:40 am
by Moggy
The England team might be a bit rubbish at the moment (the moment being 50 years) but we are a powerful force in world football behind the scenes. The money England generates alone would make FIFA take notice as sponsors would not be impressed if they thought they would lose the cash they make from England.
But, I don’t think FIFA would change anything based on England boycotting. We would need countries like Spain, Italy, Germany or France to get involved as well to make any difference.
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 10:44 am
by Tomous
[iup=3616142]BID0[/iup] wrote:Should have done it a decade ago when England were still remotely relevant.
Now it just looks like a bunch of bad losers throwing a tantrum because they didn't get to host the party.
I don't think it does. It's obvious there's been a big cover up.
England pulling out wouldn't be enough, they'd need the support of other big European countries for it to make a difference.
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 11:10 am
by Venom
I don't think other nations would pull out, and England not attending will make the nation seem petulant. Also Blatter, whatever he says, really doesn't like England. It's a real shame because it means we'll not likely see a World Cup back in England in our lifetime, certainly not the next 20 years or so. The best thing that can be done to help the cause is that the actual England football team behave like gentlemen and demonstrate some exciting football matches and win.
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 11:10 am
by Gandalf
The German FA aren't happy about the situation either, so that's two European 'super powers' potentially speaking up about it.
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 11:25 am
by DML
It shouldn't matter if it looks 'petulant', its about doing whats right. Doing whats right id refusing to let these corrupt foie-gras munching fat-cat clowns run the beautiful game anymore.
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 11:37 am
by Tomous
The World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world. If the bidding process has been a sham and it's been awarded to a country like Qatar, who are incredibly unsuitable to host such an event, I really don't see how it's petulant to complain about that and make a stand.
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 11:44 am
by Moggy
I guess one of the problems with England looking petulant by boycotting the next World Cup is that the 2018 tournament is the one we put in a bid for, but is not the one causing all of the controversy. Even though Russia has a horrendous record on racism and homophobia, that bid has not really been brought into question probably because it isn’t going to be hot.
Can we boycott Russia 2018 because we don’t like Qatar 2022?
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 11:58 am
by Saint of Killers
FAs won't do gooseberry fool as they're dependant on the money a World Cup tournament generates.
Our best bet to sort FIFA out is for the FBI and or EU to get involved.
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 12:03 pm
by Corazon de Leon
[iup=3616198]Saint of Killers[/iup] wrote:FAs won't do gooseberry fool as they're dependant on the money a World Cup tournament generates.
Our best bet to sort FIFA out is for the FBI and or EU to get involved.
All that would happen if the FBI stepped in would be that the USA ends up hosting World Cup 2026.
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 12:06 pm
by Tomous
[iup=3616189]Moggy[/iup] wrote:I guess one of the problems with England looking petulant by boycotting the next World Cup is that the 2018 tournament is the one we put in a bid for, but is not the one causing all of the controversy. Even though Russia has a horrendous record on racism and homophobia, that bid has not really been brought into question probably because it isn’t going to be hot.
Can we boycott Russia 2018 because we don’t like Qatar 2022?
Qatar is more controversial because of the adverse conditions in the country but the Russia bid was investigated too and I think they denied Garcia entry to the country and weren't at all complaint with his requests for information/documentation.
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 12:06 pm
by abcd
We should start our own federation and call it
FISA
Fédération Internationale de Soccer Association
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 12:10 pm
by Fatal Exception
FBI?
Sports. Srs bsns.
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 12:12 pm
by Mafro
[iup=3616189]Moggy[/iup] wrote:I guess one of the problems with England looking petulant by boycotting the next World Cup is that the 2018 tournament is the one we put in a bid for, but is not the one causing all of the controversy. Even though Russia has a horrendous record on racism and homophobia, that bid has not really been brought into question probably because it isn’t going to be hot.
Can we boycott Russia 2018 because we don’t like Qatar 2022?
I wonder how much cash Abramovich and his mates coughed up for the World Cup in Russia? I'm sure the African and South American teams are looking forward to the monkey chants and bananas raining down on them.
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 12:12 pm
by Lotus
[iup=3616169]Gandalf[/iup] wrote:The German FA aren't happy about the situation either, so that's two European 'super powers' potentially speaking up about it.
Yeah, at least Germany being vocal about it counters the "it's just England being petty" argument.
I think something has to be a catalyst for change, and while the timing might of using this as that catalyst might look a bit like sour grapes, who gives a gooseberry fool? Big changes are needed at FIFA.
Out of the potential 2018 hosts, I think England or Russia would have been the best options. Given Russia's questionable views on racism and homophobia though, I'd have preferred that. It's not really about 2018 though, and I don't think as many people care about that.
2022, the contenders were Qatar, USA, Australia, South Korea, and Japan. I wouldn't have wanted the latter two, as they only held it fairly recently (albeit as co-hosts), but USA or Australia would've been great. To any sane person, Qatar would be bottom of the list.
Given the talk of bribes, slavery, working conditions and worker deaths related to Qatar, plus the heat/views on homosexuality/alcohol, etc, it just screams 'wrong'.
Hopefully England and Germany can convince other big European nations (Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, etc) to take some kind of stance as well, at least as a starting point.
Re: Should England/The FA boycott the World Cup?
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 12:12 pm
by Saint of Killers
[iup=3616209]Fatal Exception[/iup] wrote:FBI?
Sports. Srs bsns.
What's with the cunty attitude?
The FBI's investigation into FIFA has been going on for years and a whistleblower has received death threats so, yeah, I'd say it's pretty serious.