The prime minister David Cameron has telephoned Jack Warner, a Fifa vice-president, to invite him to lunch in an effort to boost England's hopes of hosting the 2018 World Cup.

Warner's support is perhaps the most crucial for England to capture and that is reflected by Cameron's invitation to lunch ahead of the vote in Zurich on 2 December.

Warner is president of the Concacaf confederation and could deliver three votes to England, and is also a government minister in Trinidad.

He told the Trinidad newspaper Newsday: "He called to ask me for my support for the English bid and he asked me to join him for lunch next week, Thursday, and he hoped [David] Beckham was a good ambassador and said that if there was anything he can do for Trinidad and Tobago he will be prepared to do so."

Warner said he had still to decide which way he would vote but appeared to write off the chances of Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium, telling Cameron that Russia are England's main rivals.

"If he can overcome the Russian bid, which I think is gaining momentum, he doesn't have a problem," added Warner. "I don't think he has to worry about the other countries too much."

Warner said he was certain England 2018 would present a compelling argument to Fifa's executive committee.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/18/david-cameron-jack-warner-2018-vote

Did you not watched the match yesterday? Knowing you, it's impossible to belive in this. :ohno:

i think he was sleeping with your mum:lol:

I wouldn't trust this man as far as I could throw him and think it's sickening that he still has a position of power within FIFA, but I've just read a Guardian article and Warner was quoted in it, apparently writing off all of England's rivals apart from Russia:

Warner said he had still to decide which way he would vote but appeared to write off the chances of Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium, telling Cameron that Russia are England's main rivals.

"If he can overcome the Russian bid, which I think is gaining momentum, he doesn't have a problem," added Warner. "I don't think he has to worry about the other countries too much."

Interesting...

Link (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/18/david-cameron-jack-warner-2018-vote)

Certainly isn't bad, I think France may had something to do with it though. If I recall, England is having trouble selling out Euros.
If I remember correctly, there was 'officially' 3k French there last night. There was pockets of them all over the stadium though, especially behind the goal they were attacking in the first half, so I'd say there was maybe 4/5k of them altogether. Like RobH says, 80k+ for a friendly on a night like last night isn't too bad - especially when the majority knew that it was going to be a weak team playing.

I can't think of any positives to come out of last night, Carroll had barely any service to make any kind of impact, Henderson was anonymous in the middle of the park and Gibbs had no cover from Milner at all.. and then we had the usual dross served up from the likes of Barry (God knows how he is playing top level football, one of the most overrated players in English football) & co.

The French junior team played much better than their senior team has played for a long time.

In Lisbon, Portugal welcomed World Champion Spain in arguably the match of the day. Both managers fielded their very best XI (not to mention six players each from Barcelona and Real Madrid) in what proved to be an open, clever, and aesthetic game of football. The hosts shredded Spain to pieces on the counter and thoroughly embarrassed them 4-0, in what turned out to be anything but a “friendly.” Two, late, bone-crunching tackles exchanged between Busquets and Ronaldo highlighted the intensity on the pitch. But this match was also staged as a presentation of the Iberian Peninsula’s bid for the World Cup. Patches affixed to the sleeves of the players heralded the joint Spanish-Portuguese bid, as did Luis Figo’s presence in the stands (shocker). Unfortunately, they were the only ones interested.

The teams played in front of a lackluster 20,000 fans at Benfica’s Estadio da Luz, well short of the 66,000 capacity. Empty sections littered the stadium. Whether from lack of faith in the Portuguese squad after recent performances, or a failure by Portuguese football officials to promote and advertise this match thoroughly, or even a combination of both, the bid failed to muster much excitement. Any FIFA representative with a vote would be hard-pressed to find satisfaction in Portugal’s s overall commitment to host the grandest competition on the planet.

Meanwhile a bit farther north, England faced off against their eternal rival France in front of a sold out Wembley. Braving the cold, rainy weather, 90,000 supporters filled the stadium and added a level of passion and competitive atmosphere to showcase Old Blighty. And to be fair, nobody has ever questioned the passion of English football fans. But on a day when their rivals missed an opportunity, the English presence was ever more noticeable. Results aside, and the hosts were thoroughly outclassed by a more organized and creative France, viewers were treated to a fever pitch atmosphere rarely seen at such friendlies.

It was a breathe of fresh air for the bidding process. The past few months have produced some of the most disingenuous and slanderous attacks between bidding nations (in England’s case within their own camp as well). For once, we could ignore the bureaucrats and party wrangling over Lord Triesman and Russian racism and Qatar’s unfathomable summer heat. For once, ball and foot spoke louder than words. The paying public, not the greedy aristocracy, had a chance to plead their country’s case. FIFA saw a disinterested base of support in one half of the Iberian bid, even though the champions were put to the sword. On the other hand, an enamored English public came out to make their voices heard through action and attendance.

France may have dulled their hearts in the short term, but the English public enhanced their country’s bid last night more than they could have imagined.

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/11/18/england-help-world-cup-bid-with-well-attended-defeat-to-france/

Anyway, despite the performance 85,000+ at Wembley for a meaningless friendly on a cold November evening ain't bad. I don't think many countries would manage that.

:yes: :yes: I was there and I enjoyed the "meaningless" game :D !! (despite the rainy and cold weather)

Evaluation report about England:

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/33/74/53/b6enge.pdf

I'm sure Warner has gotten some shipping of Vodka(or something else) from Russia. This guy is one of the most corrupt persons in international sports. It's just crazy that he is still the vice president of Fifa. It just shows what Blatter is made of, keeping his hand over him to keep his power.

Not wrong there. He's got an international friendly, a David Beckham Academy, and lunch from the PM courtest of England's bid. It's quite sickening that bids are under pressure to treat people like him as VIPs.

Not wrong there. He's got an international friendly, a David Beckham Academy, and lunch from the PM courtest of England's bid. It's quite sickening that bids are under pressure to treat people like him as VIPs.

What about the likes of George Bush, Bill Clinton, Alan Greenspan etc etc, there are far worse people in the world who get treated like VIP's than Jack Warner. At least Jack Warner can't ruin the world, although him being a parliamentarian is a bit of a concern but supposedly he does nothing there.

^^ :lol:................................:ohno: (But yes I agree !...BTW: Who is Jack Warner (???))

:runaway:

^^ :lol:................................:ohno: (But yes I agree !...BTW: Who is Jack Warner (???))

:runaway:

Jack Warner is a FIFA vice president, right hand man to Blatter and he is the one of the voting executives for CONCACAF (The North American and Caribbean region). He is from Trinidad and Tobacco. This video will explain a bit more about some of his activities.

s5TY2matx8A

^^ Too bad, MystressMike...whether you like him or not, Mr. Warner is on the FIFA board. And nuttin' you can do about it!! :nuts:

Fot the FIFA World Cup 2018 I can only see two serious contenders, one is UK and one is Portugal/Spain. The other bidders lack in a number of areas.

UK vs Portugal/Spain

Airports

Here Portugal/Spain wins hands down, almost all are new modern and with lots of excess capacity. In UK most airports are runing att 100%+ capacity and delays are commonplace.

Railways

Here UK has the upper hand, faster, more frequent and more reliable. However, Spain and Portugal are in process of improving their railnetworks so by 2018 they might have an upper hand.

Highways

Portugal/Spain outclass UK by a factor of several, really there is no comparison.

Hotels

Portugal/Spain wins this one easily, the hotel capacity is huge and not only in the largest cities but also in the smaller ones.

Stadiums

Here UK wins hands down, newer, more comfortable and most often more accesible. However, the Portugal/Spain bid has some 300.000 more tickets on offer, that is ca 5000 more tickets per game available to the fans.

Organisation

This one UK wins, not only to they have way more experience with hooligans but they also have the answers to deal with them. The Olympics will give the organisers valuable experience and I can not see how Portugal/Spain could put up a better tournament.

IMO it is a pretty close one, both have pros and cons but the fact that UK hosted 1966 and Spain 1982 it think it will go to UK.

I feel airing the Panorama program 2 days before the vote is sensationalist and not 'in the public good'. They should put back this program. If the findings were that important they should have quietly informed FIFA and released a program at a later date. If they insist on reporting old issues that have already been dealt with it will just feel to FIFA like the media in England is having a dig at them. Obviously from outside the country human nature may very well kick in and think why award it to this country when they think that of us.

I also feel that entrapment style stings are really not very good in that way. I lot of people may not actually be 'actively corrupt' but may be easily led, a difference should be made here, I am not defending what was revealed as it is clearly wrong, but so was our FA buying members wives expensive handbags etc!

If we lose the right to host 2018, the ultimately self serving 'free press' will certainly be to blame in my opinion as we were clear favorites at one stage before all this kicked off.

Call me cynical, but if the world cup is in held in the UK 100 BBC employees don't get a months trip aboard. Maybe that explains their reluctance to back the bid. ;)

^^ Too bad, MystressMike...whether you like him or not, Mr. Warner is on the FIFA board. And nuttin' you can do about it!! :nuts:

Did I also mention he's going after Africa's world cup slot? Yeah try love him now :lol: If anything he's even working against the US bid, because not even he believes in it, just as your other confederation executive Salguero from Guatemala as well doesn't believe in it. No government guarantees, backed by failing economy = FAIL for the US bid. Who knows where the US could be in 12 years time, might be one of China's outposts, ready for the 2034 edition :lol:

Did I also mention he's going after Africa's world cup slot? Yeah try love him now :lol: If anything he's even working against the US bid, because not even he believes in it, just as your other confederation executive Salguero from Guatemala as well doesn't believe in it. No government guarantees, backed by failing economy = FAIL for the US bid. Who knows where the US could be in 12 years time, might be one of China's outposts, ready for the 2034 edition :lol:

Pls don't make me laugh.

BTW, It's going to be Russia 2018 and USA 2022. That's being decided at the NATO meet in Lisbon this very week. Byeeee UK and OZ!! :)

Pls don't make me laugh.

BTW, It's going to be Russia 2018 and USA 2022. That's being decided at the NATO meet in Lisbon this very week. Byeeee UK and OZ!! :)

Do you think Russia and USA will host WC in 2018 and in 2022?

BTW, what 're your favourite bids for both the editions?

Do you think Russia and USA will host WC in 2018 and in 2022?

BTW, what 're your favourite bids for both the editions?

I think the UK and the USA are the sanest, safest bids. Nearly all the stadia are already there. You don't have to have this stadium-building frenzy that we saw in Korea and Japan...that Russia, Oz and Qatar hope to emulate with all their lofty, air-headed ideals...and will only make stadium-designers and contractors and websites like this, rich. We all know how that crush of stadia in Japan and Korea 8 years ago have not amounted to much!!

I think the UK and the USA are the sanest, safest bids. Nearly all the stadia are already there. You don't have to have this stadium-building frenzy that we saw in Korea and Japan...that Russia, Oz and Qatar hope to emulate with all their lofty, air-headed ideals...and will only make stadium-designers and contractors and websites like this, rich. We all know how that crush of stadia in Japan and Korea 8 years ago have not amounted to much!!

Wait wait, this is the same person who say goodbye to England? Please you just have no idea at all, you even contradict your own embarrassing statements. Australia's stadiums are pretty much ready already, they have 12 years to fix whatever else is required. You comparing the purpose built English football stadiums with US gridiron garbage is an embarrassment as well. England and Australia both have complete bipartisan government support for their bid, compared to the US where it's totally unstable in every sense, both economically and politically, nobody knows who's supporting who and we have people like Glen Beck on one side. I'm sure a small band of USSF tossers don't count and the fact the costings for the USSF is total garbage, mean FIFA are extremely nervous about the US bid, including 2 out of 3 confederation executives for a confederation that has no other bidder is embarrassing.

Uo5YXTTGjQQ

It's a bit rich of Jack Warner to need any more convincing from the England bid. He already successfully blackmailed the English FA into playing a friendly on his island that he just happened to control the ticketing for. But that was yesterday's favour and for Jack it's "what have you done for me lately?"

Wait wait, this is the same person who say goodbye to England? Please you just have no idea at all, you even contradict your own embarrassing statements. Australia's stadiums are pretty much ready already, they have 12 years to fix whatever else is required. You comparing the purpose built English football stadiums with US gridiron garbage is an embarrassment as well. England and Australia both have complete bipartisan government support for their bid, compared to the US where it's totally unstable in every sense, both economically and politically, nobody knows who's supporting who and we have people like Glen Beck on one side. I'm sure a small band of USSF tossers don't count and the fact the costings for the USSF is total garbage, mean FIFA are extremely nervous about the US bid, including 2 out of 3 confederation executives for a confederation that has no other bidder is embarrassing.

Uo5YXTTGjQQ

You actually have a lot in common with Glenn Beck.... Nobody with an IQ exceeding 40 takes you seriously

It's a bit rich of Jack Warner to need any more convincing from the England bid. He already successfully blackmailed the English FA into playing a friendly on his island that he just happened to control the ticketing for. But that was yesterday's favour and for Jack it's "what have you done for me lately?"

England has done more for Jack Warner and in more particular Trinidad Football than the entire USSF bs brigade have ever done. That's why Jack Warner is out on a sabotage mission for the US bid.

England has done more for Jack Warner and in more particular Trinidad Football than the entire USSF bs brigade have ever done. That's why Jack Warner is out on a sabotage mission for the US bid.

Uh-huh! :lol: :lol:

Uh-huh! :lol: :lol:

I agree on the last bit:lol:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/06/01/article-1023431-0170172300000578-167_468x393.jpghttp://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Jack+Warner+David+Beckham+Coaching+Clinic+9zF5G1r43WJl.jpg

I think the UK and the USA are the sanest, safest bids. Nearly all the stadia are already there. You don't have to have this stadium-building frenzy that we saw in Korea and Japan...that Russia, Oz and Qatar hope to emulate with all their lofty, air-headed ideals...and will only make stadium-designers and contractors and websites like this, rich. We all know how that crush of stadia in Japan and Korea 8 years ago have not amounted to much!!
The ones in Japan are in regular use. The domestic league is fairly healthy, with a top division average over 19000. Urawa average 44000.

The Korean stadiums were white elephants though, but you can blame that on FIFA for not just awarding the cup to Japan, as originally planned.

wish some of the clubs would come out with if and when the will be increasing capicity in their grounds, as some are a little to small in my opinion,
i know leeds, villa, sheffield wednesday etc are expanding their grounds but any new on sunderland maybe increasing to 56k or newcastle to 60k i think if we get the WC than hopefully because we also have the rugby world cup in 2015 than the venie s that are being used in both like SJP, Elland Road, liverpool current or old can be expanded or built nice and early so we don't have last minute dash to complete them.

i do wish that forrest we keeping the city ground though i think they new ground looks preety horrible imo

wish some of the clubs would come out with if and when the will be increasing capicity in their grounds, as some are a little to small in my opinion,
i know leeds, villa, sheffield wednesday etc are expanding their grounds but any new on sunderland maybe increasing to 56k or newcastle to 60k i think if we get the WC than hopefully because we also have the rugby world cup in 2015 than the venie s that are being used in both like SJP, Elland Road, liverpool current or old can be expanded or built nice and early so we don't have last minute dash to complete them.

i do wish that forrest we keeping the city ground though i think they new ground looks preety horrible imo

Capacity won't make a difference, England has the best footballing grounds going around and with developments within Liverpool etc occurring they will only get better.

Russia will win,:banana: this is a political vote not a technical one. Go Russia go!

Capacity won't make a difference, England has the best footballing grounds going around and with developments within Liverpool etc occurring they will only get better.

Germany's grounds are considerably better than England's. Bigger, better, and they somehow have the ability to build new grounds that are distinctive and have character.

Germany's grounds are considerably better than England's. Bigger, better, and they somehow have the ability to build new grounds that are distinctive and have character.

I don't think so, nobody can match the iconic stature of England's football grounds. These clubs and grounds have history and an atmosphere that you won't get at no plastic ground made tomorrow. The clubs themselves make the ground, it belongs to that club and that ground is the symbolic home of the people within the town. You can make the most gigantic stadium in the world, pave it with gold and put dancing ballerinas at the top of the stadium but will they have the character and symbolism of English grounds? No, they won't. When you talk football grounds around the world, the grounds people know are Anfield, St James's Park, Stamford Bridge etc etc, they are English grounds, not some yankee doo grid iron stadium or some bundelisga arena that no one can pronounce the name of.

Mike, you're getting seriously embarrassing.

Russia will win,:banana: this is a political vote not a technical one. Go Russia go!
:bash:

Jack Warner blasts Panorama

FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has hit out at BBC Panorama's investigation into World Cup bidding by claiming it has been "deliberately designed to negatively impact" on England's chances of hosting the 2018 tournament. [:lol:]

Panorama are planning to screen a programme next Monday, three days before the vote, and have written to Warner as well as FIFA president Sepp Blatter asking for responses to a number of allegations.

Warner, whose vote is crucial to England's hopes, has been targeted by Panorama in the past and he claims it is "a personal vendetta" and that the programme is merely returning to old allegations.

England 2018 leaders last week branded the BBC "unpatriotic" for screening the investigation so close to the vote, fearing it will lead to a backlash from FIFA members.

Warner told Press Association Sport in an email: "I am sure it's a personal vendetta. But it is sooooooooooo stupid... for it can have no effect on me personally or on anyone else in the FIFA for that matter.

"In my personal opinion, it is deliberately designed to negatively impact on England's chances.

"It is just a rehash of the same old b******* so I continue to sleep very soundly at nights."


Link (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/jack-warner-blasts-panorama-2140987.html)

---------

We'll have to see what the programme contains, but it's hardly a surprise that the most greasy, corrupt man in FIFA doesn't like the idea of this documentary.

I don't think so, nobody can match the iconic stature of England's football grounds. These clubs and grounds have history and an atmosphere that you won't get at no plastic ground made tomorrow. The clubs themselves make the ground, it belongs to that club and that ground is the symbolic home of the people within the town. You can make the most gigantic stadium in the world, pave it with gold and put dancing ballerinas at the top of the stadium but will they have the character and symbolism of English grounds? No, they won't. When you talk football grounds around the world, the grounds people know are Anfield, St James's Park, Stamford Bridge etc etc, they are English grounds, not some yankee doo grid iron stadium or some bundelisga arena that no one can pronounce the name of.

Being iconic doesn't make a ground good. The old Wembley was more iconic than any English league ground, but it was still a cramped crumbling dump with awful views. The new Wembley is pretty iconic too, but if you go there you get the distinct feeling every was designed for those in the executive seats, and everything else was an afterthought.


But if you are having trouble pronouncing some if the German stadiums, you could point them out and maybe someone would give you tips.

http://www.worldfootballinsider.com/_img/articles/vqvz1t0v.4fy.jpg

David Dein, president of the England 2018 World Cup bid, says his bid team is working flat out to bring the World Cup back to the country for the first time since 1966.

Speaking to reporters at the Soccerex Global Convention in Rio, Dein said: "It's a critical time, everybody is working full-out now to try and get the World Cup back to England in 2018.

"We have to concentrate on one thing only, to give it our best shot. We are in it to win it. Hopefully we will get a good result and we need the country behind us."

The former Arsenal and FA vice-chairman claimed the excitement around the build-up the Brazil 2014 World Cup had made the England bid even more determined to see off rivals Holland-Belgium, Russia and Spain-Portugal to win the hosting rights on Dec. 2.

"That's what we have been working for these past two years. We have a few very interesting days to come. Obviously we want to do our best and we are in it to win it, that's all I can say at this time."

Dein made a brief appearance at the conference, giving a presentation to delegates on the evolution of the English Premier League, before catching a plane to Paraguay. Talking to reporters, he insisted the EPL was a great advert for English football and the bid. "We have a lot going for us," he said.

The England 2018 bid is staging a day-long safety and security seminar at the home of CONMEBOL in the Paraguyan capital Asuncion on Tuesday, part of its campaign to woo the South American FIFA Executive Committee members.

Serving as a meeting to educate South American federations and clubs affiliated to CONMEBOL, it will give Dein - the most well-connected member of the England bid - a chance to rub shoulders with the confederation president Nicolas Leoz and leading football officials from the region.

Delegates were treated to a world exclusive of the trailer to "The night football changed forever", which looks at how a clandestine meeting in May 1990 between senior officials of the top five English clubs led to the formation of the Premier League and dramatically transformed the landscape of English football. The league became a "runaway success", Dein says in the film.

By way of explanation, Dein pointed out that the Premier League's turnover in 1992/93 was a meagre 46 million pounds, with average attendances of just 21,125

In 2010/11, the EPL's turnover is 1.25 billion pounds and average gates are 34,000.

"In UEFA, it's the first league for the money it achieves and it goes out to 210 countries around the world."

Asked how the EPL could sustain its growth, Dein predicted that stadia would continue to get bigger - making reference to the new venues planned for Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur - while TV income and sponsorship revenues would also increase "always assuming the game is kept attractive".

In turn, he said, the EPL would continue to offer the biggest salaries and attract the best players.

"You pay the best money, you get the best talent," he said.

Before his speech at the conference, Dein presented FIFA honorary president Joao Havelange with a shirt of his favourite European team Arsenal, which was emblazoned with the 94-year-old's name. Despite his age, Havelange had showed the sharpness of his mind in a lengthy and wide-ranging interview conducted by two Brazilian icons of broadcast and print journalism.

http://www.worldfootballinsider.com/Story.aspx?id=33912

Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt arrived in Kuala Lumpur today to encourage support for England’s 2018 World Cup bid.

Mr Hunt joined England 2018 chairman Geoff Thompson, chief executive Andy Anson and ambassador Paul Elliott to highlight England’s strong case to host the tournament to football world governing body FIFA’s Asian members.

The delegation will stress the legacy aspects of England’s bid such as the FA’s Football United project that will use the power of football to benefit the lives of young people around the world by investing in grassroots projects.

http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/news_stories/7583.aspx

I don't think so, nobody can match the iconic stature of England's football grounds. These clubs and grounds have history and an atmosphere that you won't get at no plastic ground made tomorrow. The clubs themselves make the ground, it belongs to that club and that ground is the symbolic home of the people within the town. You can make the most gigantic stadium in the world, pave it with gold and put dancing ballerinas at the top of the stadium but will they have the character and symbolism of English grounds? No, they won't. When you talk football grounds around the world, the grounds people know are Anfield, St James's Park, Stamford Bridge etc etc, they are English grounds, not some yankee doo grid iron stadium or some bundelisga arena that no one can pronounce the name of.

I don't know where to start with this :nuts:

If you seriously believe that the atmosphere inside English stadiums is great then you are totally and utterly deluded. Up there with the legendary urban football myth that Newcastle have the best fans in the world. The majority of the fans in England who would make a noise for 90 minutes have been out-priced from attending and have been replaced with families waiting to be entertained whilst eating their sandwiches from their lunch boxes.

Anfield is a very famous football ground and along with Old Trafford it is the most famous club ground in England. Iconic? Possibly. But trying to say that St James Park and Stamford Bridge are iconic world-renowned stadiums is laughable. And embarrassing.

I'm hoping and praying that England fails in its attempt to secure the 2018 World cup because the utter nonsense spouted by MysteryMike will be repeated by numpties across the country, that and the fact that England will win the thing. Oh God, please spare us this..........please.

Must be imaginging the noise on the telly.

Prime Minister David Cameron will spend three days in Zurich next week lobbying on behalf of England's 2018 World Cup bid, Downing Street has announced.

The prime minister's decision to travel to Switzerland so far in advance of the 2 December vote will be seen as a major boost to England's campaign.

Cameron is likely to meet most of the 22 members of Fifa's executive committee during his visit.

Russia, Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium are also vying for the vote.

Cameron had been expected to be in Zurich for the final hours of the campaign, but it has now been agreed that he will travel to Switzerland on Tuesday, more than 48 hours before the Fifa vote.

He is likely to return briefly to London for Prime Minister's Questions on the Wednesday, before flying back to Zurich later that evening.

Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9221297.stm)

England bid superior to rivals

Gordon Taylor, a vice-president on England's 2018 World Cup bid committee, does not believe any of the other bids to host the 2018 finals can compete with his nation's.

Taylor, also chief executive of the English Professional Footballers' Association, is confident that England will be awarded the 2018 World Cup when the final vote takes place on December 2 and revealed his hope that all outside influences will be put aside in order for FIFA to vote on the best bid.

"I would like to see a better bid than ours," Taylor told ESPNsoccernet. "If Russia or the joint bid from Spain and Portugal win then fair enough, if it's better than ours, but I don't believe that it is.

"What is going on with Panorama and the investigation with the Sunday Times might have jeopardised the bid, as everyone seems to think, but that would be appalling, because it has nothing to do with the bid.

"Politics could scupper England's bid, but it shouldn't be allowed to as politics should not dictate to sport, and when you look at the bid process, it shouldn't have an effect. Instead, look at the bids - that's the idea of it, and our bid is the best."

Taylor feels that the global appeal of the Premier League and England's rich footballing heritage is what marks the bid out as better than those of rivals Russia and Spain/Portugal.

"Our stadiums, our love of the game, the way we welcome so many people from all over the world - not just players and managers but fans as well - the travel system, the hotels, the willingness of foreign players to come here and the way foreign players like Didier Drogba have backed the bid and feel that England is like home from home," he said.

"We are so multi-national and no other country has so many players from different parts of the world - there were more England-based players at the World Cup than any other nation.

"I believe the World Cup should be coming home to England. We've not staged the World Cup since 1966 and since then we have been a model for the rest of the world to follow in the way we have reconstructed our all-seater stadia, our crowd control. Safety is such a priority, and our supporters in South Africa in the summer were commended on their behaviour.

"From Argentina to Japan, to Korea and around Europe, there are nations who love English football, and I know for a fact how many of them would be so pleased if the World Cup was held in this country.

"Of course, I would never be presumptuous and say I am convinced that we shall prevail but, yes, I am confident. We have the finest bid and the best ability to host it. As I have said, if we do not win it I want to know what has made the successful country earn the votes and what they've got that we haven't got."

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/58634.html

7b7Z3bLGfnY

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/media/ALeqM5h7ukcXJwofDLFbXAg-oMQBfEF3RA?docId=photo_1290621864532-1-0&size=l

Prince William will spearhead the final stage of England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup, the royal's office formally confirmed Wednesday.

The Prince, president of the Football Association, will form part of a high-powered English delegation which includes Prime Minister David Cameron and football stars such as David Beckham and Gary Lineker.

Prince William will spend his time privately meeting FIFA voters ahead of the vote in Zurich on December 2.

Confirmation of William's participation came as England 2018 board member Sebastian Coe urged the country's delegates to mount a charm offensive in the final week before voting.

Speaking at an event in London, Coe said the 2018 team needed to deluge FIFA members with positive messages about England's bid to minimise the impact of a BBC documentary to be aired next week which is expected to pore over corruption allegations involving FIFA officials.

"You have to focus absolutely on the job at hand," Coe said. "(Outside) noises are not what is going to get you across the line. They're not going to stop you getting across the line.

"It is really a very important discipline in the process of a bid to just simply focus on the messages.

"You deliver those messages right to the moment where there is nowhere else to go and you maintain clear heads," added Coe, who masterminded London's stunning victory to host the 2012 Olympic Games defeating favourites Paris.

England faces stiff competition from Russia as well as joint bids from Spain and Portugal and Holland and Belgium at next Thursday's vote.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jj3CyXE7MV-WUo2fubHXlfYc_IKQ?docId=CNG.f4b8f8621b4af01e00ed9997660b0ca4.411

Must be imaginging the noise on the telly.


There is a bit of singing but to say that English grounds have the best atmospheres is ludicrous. Have a taste of some Turkish "noise".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fotmpIa0-EQ

England bid may get extra voter as Oceania consider quick Reynald Temarii replacement

The move may boost England's chances as Oceania has been a major recipient of FA development funding in the last decade, and Temarii was considered sympathetic to the bid before his suspension.

Should he be replaced, the OFC vote in 2022 should go to Australia as the AFC Congress mandated Temarii to back their bid earlier this year.

Temarii was suspended with Nigeria's Amos Adamu for breaches of Fifa rules, reducing the electorate to 22 votes.

As the OFC president has a seat on the Fifa executive committee by right, however, were Temarii to abandon his appeal against the one-year suspension, it would clear they way for his deputy David Chung, of Papua New Guinea, to vote next week.

A special meeting of the OFC executive committee on Saturday will examine if one of its representatives can take Temarii's place, assuming he is willing to suspend his appeal.

"There are some provisions we are looking at to appoint someone in Reynald's place," OFC general secretary Tai Nicholas said on Wednesday. "There are a number of options that are open to us legally. We are exploring those. The objective is to allow the OFC to cast its vote."

The arrival of a new voter will add another variable to a race that is difficult to call.

On Wednesday, the Spain-Portugal bid confirmed that Ronaldo and Iker Casillas will be in Zurich to as part of the official delegation, along with Luis Figo, Fernando Hierro, Emilio Butragueno and Eusebio. The national coaches, Vicente del Bosque and Paulo Bento, will also be supporting the Iberian bid.

They will be up against England's triumvirate of Prince William, David Beckham and David Cameron, who 2018 board member Lord Coe said has already had a big effect on the campaign.

"I know from feedback that he's [Cameron] made a big impression with the engagement that he's had so far in this process.

"And it is very important that the executive committee members of Fifa know that this bid has the full support from the very highest political level in the land."

There is a bit of singing but to say that English grounds have the best atmospheres is ludicrous. Have a taste of some Turkish "noise".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fotmpIa0-EQ

Y7xvegPH_Lw

I don't think you can say that one culture's way of supporting their team is better or worse than another, they're entirely different in very different ways.

The English fervour for chanting etc has dulled somewhat with the increase in price to go see games, the popularity of watching games from home and so forth, however it is still there and an established English trait.

I speak of personal experience, yesterday evening I went to watch my football team play Barnet at their ground. The attendance was 2500, but 1200 of those were for my team and we were in very good voice. We went 1-0 down, but would come from behind to win 2-1, and the atmosphere was electric.

I'm not saying that 1200 Gills fans are going to compete in terms of noise to 10'000 Turkish ultras...but the fact is there is an inherent English excitement in football that when released can be astounding.

Y7xvegPH_Lw

If that is your proof that English stadiums have the best atmosphere then I know you are on a wind-up.

Picture the scene.....Liverpool are playing Fulham at home in the Premier league. The teams are ready to walk onto the pitch and suddenly booming out of the PA system comes Gerry and the pacemakers. When it reaches the chorus the sound cuts and the Kop sings its anthem. It then finishes and we have silence. Followed by silence. More silence. The odd song sung by a couple of thousand Koppites are briefly heard but that is about it. Two minutes to go and the Kop sings its anthem again. Liverpool have played poorly and the score is 0-0 and so it is sung half-heartedly. A few boos ring out at the final whistle. The end.

Anyone who hasn't visited Anfield are told of these urban myths about the mighty Kop and how "amazing" it is. When they finally experience it they are shocked. Shocked at how poor it is nowadays. Even Liverpool fans whinge and moan about the "types" who now sit in the Kop. Compare this with the Kop of old. Nearly 30,000, mainly scousers, swaying and singing in unison and supporting their team for 90 minutes. I visited many times during the 80s with United and I know how hostile and noisy it was. It used to be impressive. The first song sung nowadays by visiting fans is "Where's your famous atmosphere?"

The best grounds today in the Premier league for noise are Spurs and Stoke. Although the atmosphere at Stoke is not as good as their 1st season in the Premier league. The novelty has worn off for them in two years.

The contrast with the atmospheres in Turkey, Poland, Germany and others compared to the middle class "fans" of England are like chalk and cheese.

MysteryMike is not only living in the past but also cloud cuckoo land.

I don't think you can say that one culture's way of supporting their team is better or worse than another, they're entirely different in very different ways.

The English fervour for chanting etc has dulled somewhat with the increase in price to go see games, the popularity of watching games from home and so forth, however it is still there and an established English trait.

I speak of personal experience, yesterday evening I went to watch my football team play Barnet at their ground. The attendance was 2500, but 1200 of those were for my team and we were in very good voice. We went 1-0 down, but would come from behind to win 2-1, and the atmosphere was electric.

I'm not saying that 1200 Gills fans are going to compete in terms of noise to 10'000 Turkish ultras...but the fact is there is an inherent English excitement in football that when released can be astounding.

I think you would be genuinely surprised at how different foreign fans are to English fans. The ultra scene has never taken off here but the organisation these groups have abroad is on a totally different level. It is a huge part of their lives...not just turning up 2 minutes before kick off and then waiting till the next game and turning up 2 minutes before kick off. For instance, did you see and hear the Bursaspor fans when United played in Turkey a few weeks ago? United were beating them easy and the game was dead for Bursaspor but their fans never shut up. A few United lads I know that were out there said that the United lads gave up trying to be heard with their own songs because there was no sound dip and so they joined in with the Bursaspor songs. That level of support or noise is not heard in England. Anyone who says it is is deluded. Just listen to your average Premier league game on the TV. It is dead.

If that is your proof that English stadiums have the best atmosphere then I know you are on a wind-up.

Picture the scene.....Liverpool are playing Fulham at home in the Premier league. The teams are ready to walk onto the pitch and suddenly booming out of the PA system comes Gerry and the pacemakers. When it reaches the chorus the sound cuts and the Kop sings its anthem. It then finishes and we have silence. Followed by silence. More silence. The odd song sung by a couple of thousand Koppites are briefly heard but that is about it. Two minutes to go and the Kop sings its anthem again. Liverpool have played poorly and the score is 0-0 and so it is sung half-heartedly. A few boos ring out at the final whistle. The end.

Anyone who hasn't visited Anfield are told of these urban myths about the mighty Kop and how "amazing" it is. When they finally experience it they are shocked. Shocked at how poor it is nowadays. Even Liverpool fans whinge and moan about the "types" who now sit in the Kop. Compare this with the Kop of old. Nearly 30,000, mainly scousers, swaying and singing in unison and supporting their team for 90 minutes. I visited many times during the 80s with United and I know how hostile and noisy it was. It used to be impressive. The first song sung nowadays by visiting fans is "Where's your famous atmosphere?"

The best grounds today in the Premier league for noise are Spurs and Stoke. Although the atmosphere at Stoke is not as good as their 1st season in the Premier league. The novelty has worn off for them in two years.

The contrast with the atmospheres in Turkey, Poland, Germany and others compared to the middle class "fans" of England are like chalk and cheese.

MysteryMike is not only living in the past but also cloud cuckoo land.

Football in England is dead. Middle class families don't create any kind of atmosphere and they wait to be entertained. It is not the game of the working classes anymore.

I'm just glad I was around in the 70s and 80s when football was football, not this horrible sanitised version that SKY money has created.


Yeah good luck to you, it all belong with your racism stories and all :lol: what a joke, you tell me that I'm living in the past. What's it like being a pensioner troll? that's fantastic. You must be very proud of yourself :lol:

Yeah good luck to you, it all belong with your racism stories and all :lol: what a joke, you tell me that I'm living in the past. What's it like being a pensioner troll? that's fantastic. You must be very proud of yourself :lol:

I'm trying to watch the ashes here!

Racism?

I'm not living in the past. You said that the atmospheres in English stadiums are the best. I informed you that they are indeed amongst the worst in the world. The total opposite. The atmosphere used to be decent in English grounds but were never the best in the world. Never. Have a gander at Argentinian crowds. Then have a gander at a new Wembley crowd for an England international. It is embarassing. Hence why I said you were living in cloud cuckoo land.

You also said Stamford Bridge and St James' park were "iconic" stadiums. They were iconic in the North East of England and West London respectively about 50/60 years ago. Outside of those areas they are nothing. Nadda. Hence why I said you were living in the past.

I get the impression you know nothing about football and even less about football outside of the UK. You are a SKY "footie fan". Do you paint your face?

Shit! Pieterson out :bash:

Interesting article on the qatar bid. have a look, but i'm not sure you can see the video if your from out of the uk.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9224946.stm
By Tim Franks
BBC sports news correspondent

"The thumb-shaped Qatar peninsula," warns the Lonely Planet guide (1st edition, published 2000) "is not exactly one of the world's major tourist destinations."

The chapter on the Qatari capital is even less enticing. "Around the Gulf, Doha has earned the unenviable reputation of being the dullest place on earth."

Ten years on, Qatar has been pricked into the most determined reaction. It has launched an attempt to stage the 2022 World Cup. It is a bid so improbable, it might just come true.

This is a country with a population of little more than a million, promising to fill 50,000-seater stadiums. It is a country of little apparent footballing pedigree, lying 108th in the Fifa rankings. And it is a country where, at the time of year the tournament is held, the weather can touch 50 degrees Celsius. Fifa guidelines hold that any temperature above 32 degrees puts players at "extreme" risk.

Qatar, though, believes it not only has the answers but an irresistible allure. Of that, more later. First, though, to the issue of players, coaches and fans suffering heatstroke by the plane-load.

The bid committee's prize exhibit lies off the E-Ring Road, on the outskirts of Doha.


This being Qatar, a place where money is not so much on tap as sluiced through a vast pipeline, they are not relying solely on child-sized models and whizzy graphics to make their case.

When the suits from the Fifa technical committee came for an inspection in September, they were taken to a 500-seater, five-a-side stadium that had been erected in a matter of weeks, in an attempt to prove that it is possible to play football in Qatar in the summer.

Fifa rules demand that World Cup matches be played under an open roof. Qatar's answer to that is to create a three metre-high bank of cool air in which players can play and spectators can watch.

The source of the air-conditioning can be found in the swathe of desert adjacent to the stadium: a "solar farm", where photovoltaic cells pour energy, year-round, into the national grid and where tubes of water are heated to 200 degrees Celsius, before their energy is alchemised into cooling vast freezer packs that sit under the stadium.

According to Lee Hosking, one of the architects from Arup Associates, the British specialists responsible for the design of the showcase building mentioned above, the process is zero carbon.

"Bring it on," he declaims, as the heat beats down, even on this November morning. "How much energy do you need? We've got it from the sun."

There are some unanswered questions.

For example, what might happen should the wind begin to stir the cool and hot air?

How big an area might you need for the "solar farms" that service the bigger stadiums (the PV cells off the "E" Ring Road take up about twice the area of the prototype stadium)?

And how expensive is it all (the architects were unable to say how much even this small stadium cost to build)?

It's the greatest ability to put the Middle East on a platform and for the world to see it for what it truly is



On the last issue, money does indeed appear to be immaterial. Some might baulk at the increasingly stringent demands that governing bodies such as Fifa or the International Olympic Committee make of any country that has the temerity to offer to stage one of their tournaments.

Oil and gas-rich Qatar, in contrast, appears to be standing, legs astride, mouth grinning, hands beckoning. It is offering to spend £25bn ($40bn) on a rail and metro system to transport fans around the peninsula. It is promising to dismantle its stadiums after the competition and transport them to poorer countries in the region.

All that is, to use the jargon du jour, the "vision".

But Qatar is keen to show that it is a player, even now. Some of these Gulf states prickle with frustration when they are derided as gold-plated baths of bad taste.

Qataris know that respect is earned by more than the size of their shopping malls. Which is why, on the most recent night scheduled for international friendlies, the game between Argentina and Brazil was not held in Buenos Aires or Rio but at the Khalifa stadium in Doha.

Ronaldinho sparkled and Messi ruled, watched by a stadium full of men in their sparkling white dishdashas, adorned with their Brazil or Argentina scarfs.

"We are confident and we shall do it," one beaming fan told me. "Inshallah, we shall bring the World Cup in '22." "Why not?" asked his friend. "Don't worry."

The message was clear: bringing a World Cup to the Middle East might be novel but it is not unimaginable.

At the same time - and at who knows what expense - a four-day conference of international sporting supremos was taking place at the Aspire Sports Academy in Doha.


As Argentine midfielder maestro Ossie Ardiles was giving local children a masterclass on the outdoor pitches, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was singing the bid's praises inside the venue. The Scot described the promise to flat-pack the stadiums and deliver them to poorer footballing nations as "a key card" that will "pull the heartstrings of everyone".

In a way, so far, so predictable. All bids, these days, claim that they will provide amazing facilities and an inchoate thing called "legacy".

But Qatar's application goes beyond this. Hassan al Thawadi, the immaculately attired 31 year-old chief executive of the bid, lays down a polite but firm challenge to the conservative men of Fifa.

It is not simply, he says, that Qatar is the "15th safest country in the world - ahead of Switzerland or Singapore". Bringing the World Cup to Qatar will, he says, offer nothing less than an antidote to the toxic clash of civilisations.

"It's the greatest ability to put the Middle East on a platform and for the world to see it for what it truly is," al Thawadi says. "More importantly, it allows the Middle East to interact with the rest of the world, and any misconceptions that people in the Middle East might have about the West can be taken away.

"If there's ever an opportunity to unite everybody towards one goal, then the passion for football and the World Cup is the ultimate tool."

It is vaulting language: to claim a place among those whose mark was felt across east and west - from Alexander the Great, to Suleiman the Magnificent and now, so we are asked to imagine, to Sheikh Hamad bin Khalfia al Thani, Emir of Qatar.

That a country so low in the rankings, so hot and so small, can be one of the favourites to host the second biggest sporting event in the world after the Summer Olympics, rips up conventional wisdom.

But then, travelling the emirate, it is clear that tiny Qatar has a huge sense of itself.

It will find out if that belief is misplaced on 2 December, when it goes up against Japan, the United States, Australia and South Korea for the right to host the 2002 World Cup.

England bid may get extra voter as Oceania consider quick Reynald Temarii replacement

"

England's going to need every vote it can muster especially with supporters like MiseryMike poisoning every other bid. :lol: :lol:

There is a bit of singing but to say that English grounds have the best atmospheres is ludicrous. Have a taste of some Turkish "noise".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fotmpIa0-EQ


Fair enough but last I looked Turkey weren't bidding

Its fair to say that England have a great history as far as support goes whether it be football,rugby,cricket.Not every nation has this.Ovbiously the term "crowd control" has had an impact as well,so you are likely to have more atmosphere sometimes where the crowd is less "restrained by authorities"

Not quite related but with the Ashes on and in the spirit of great touring fans.
NMzj5HavAUI
"We all shagged kylie and so did my mates.
She moaned and she groaned and she took it up the billabong. We all shagged kylie and so did my mates"
RqGeGX3-CkE

^^ Classics :lol:

Simply the best, Capello sings praises of England's 2018 World Cup bid

http://www.sportsfeatures.com/PressPoint/images/47781-olympic-image1.jpg

For most managers South Africa 2010 was their last competitive World Cup involvement for four years at least. Not for Fabio Capello. The 64-year-old Italian who manages England is also an ambassador for the country’s bid to win host rights to the 2018 finals.

Why are you backing the England World Cup bid ?

I've worked in three countries - Italy, Spain and England - and I think that the football here is really important. People are so passionate about the game. All the people involved in the bid - the stadiums, the facilities, the training grounds, infrastructure, everything - is top class.

Something else that is really important is security in the stadiums where the stewards’ work is crucial. Also, it helps [with security] that all the clubs own their own stadiums. In Italy all the stadiums are the property of the local authorities and in Spain not all of the stadiums are owned by the clubs, either.

Another thing is that England is a multi-ethnic country and all the countries that play here will find people from their own countries born here. It’s like Italians going to the United States: everyone coming here can find a home from home.

What has surprised you most about England since you've been here? Not just about the football, but living in England, living in London?

London is not England, there is a big difference between the capital and the other cities and other parts of the country. I enjoy the culture here and I enjoy the fact that so many people are so involved with the game. The stadiums are always full and are all-seater which is really important. Another important thing is the respect that you find here among people.

Is England a more tolerant country to live in than Italy?

It is different, the culture is different. People coming here probably find it easier to integrate because the size of a city likes London means they can find similarities with their own countries. That’s important. Maybe it’s because of historical factors, people coming from the Commonwealth and so on.

How was it for you as an Italian living through the 1990 World Cup in your own country?

I was proud of it. The organisation was very good but we had had to build new stadiums and other infrastructure. Here you can find everything already; England is ready to host the World Cup now. In London, you have five stadiums which could be ready now to host the games. Then there are two famous stadiums in Birmingham, in Manchester and in Liverpool. The airports, trains, buses, Tube, are all OK. That’s important.

Do you know the members of the FIFA executive committee?

I know a lot of people because I started to play professionally when I was 18 and now I am 64. I look forward to meeting them.

What will you tell them next week in Zurich, before the vote on Thursday?

Firstly, that England is the country where football was born. That’s important. Also they hosted the World Cup only once and a long time ago.

When you decide which country needs to host the World Cup you have to know what the situation is in the country. In this country the situation is very good; you can find everything. That’s an important message for the people who have to decide. When I met the inspection team at Wembley I told them this. It’s a really fantastic country.

What about the policy of World Cup selection – is it more important to go to new countries or stay loyal to the foundation nations?

Sometimes it's about promoting new countries but I also think you have to remember the history of the game. The World Cup in South Africa was really important for the country and for the continent and not just for its football. I think that showed that there are a lot of countries in Africa and other regions who can host the World Cup.

But . . . it’s also important to respect history. For example Italy is important because it has won the World Cup four times. But England is the home of football and that deserves to be considered.

It's the best country to host the World Cup. Simple: absolutely the best country to host it.

ENGLAND'S WORLD CUP BID HOPES GET BIG BOOST

http://www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/England+2018+World+Cup+Bid+Official+Launch+rfnGlJe-pwal.jpg


The Oceanic Confederation have lost their vote on Fifa’s Executive *Committee (ExCo) because their *representative *


Reynald Temarii was suspended after getting embroiled in the *cash-for-votes scandal.

But now they are trying to get their place back, which could add another vote for England’s cause.


The Oceanic Confederation have *always been strong supporters of the England bid and before Temarii got involved in the scandal the Three *Lions delegation believed he would vote for their bid.


The Oceanic Executive Committee will meet on Saturday, where they will try to get Temarii to admit his guilt and resign his position.


If that is the case, Fifa have made it clear Oceania can put forward *another representative to stand on ExCo, reinstating their vote. That man is likely to be David Chung, from Papua New Guinea.


And it is widely expected that he would vote for England, which would be a major coup for our bid.


Lord Coe, who masterminded *London’s successful bid for the 2012 *Olympics, has urged the World Cup team to put any possible distractions – like the bribes row – to one side and just concentrate on the job in hand.


Coe, who is also on the 2018 board, said: “You have to focus absolutely on the job at hand.


“(Outside) noises are not what is going to get you across the line.


“It is really a very important *discipline, in the process of a bid, to just simply focus on the messages.


“You deliver those messages right to the moment where there is *nowhere else to go and you main-tain clear heads.”


Coe’s bid to bring the Olympics to London is widely *believed to have been boosted by then Prime Minister Tony Blair’s three days of lobbying IOC members prior to the vote.


It was confirmed yesterday that current PM David Cameron will spend a similar amount of time at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich ahead of next week’s vote, *something Coe believes could prove decisive.


“I think it’s very important,” said the former Olympic goal medallist.


“I know from feedback that he’s made a big impression with the *engagement that he’s had so far in this process.


“And it is very important that the Executive Committee members of FIFA know that this bid has the full support from the very highest *political level in the land.”


Cameron will eventually be joined in Zurich by Prince William and *David Beckham, and Coe added: “It’s a pretty good triumvirate, isn’t it?”

http://www3.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/England+2018+World+Cup+Bid+Official+Launch+3v2EMUnW8bvl.jpg

Fair enough but last I looked Turkey weren't bidding

Its fair to say that England have a great history as far as support goes whether it be football,rugby,cricket.Not every nation has this.Ovbiously the term "crowd control" has had an impact as well,so you are likely to have more atmosphere sometimes where the crowd is less "restrained by authorities"

England teams in many sports have had great followings over the years, no one is debating that. I did it myself. This MysteryMike kid made the claim that England football stadiums had the best atmospheres. Only someone who is totally clueless, or been watching 'footie' for 3 or 4 years on SKY and listens to what hairy hands says, would make such a statement. The atmospheres in English football grounds in the main are very very poor. The odd 'big' game can be decent but on the whole they are libraries. And it will only get worse. Arsenal will soon be the first, but not the last I'm sure, English club to charge £100 for a 'normal' seat at the Emirates. Not an executive, just a run of the mill seat. That £100 will ensure that no one around you will make any noise so your time will be a pleasant affair.

Not quite related but with the Ashes on and in the spirit of great touring fans.
NMzj5HavAUI
"We all shagged kylie and so did my mates.
She moaned and she groaned and she took it up the billabong. We all shagged kylie and so did my mates"
RqGeGX3-CkE

The Barmy Army are the best fans in cricket but what have they got to do with English football grounds? They are allowed to drink and stand all day if they like so no wonder they have a good time. But even the barmy army are nothing like some foreign football fans.

Try Boca Juniors. I bet they wish they could be like the 'Barmy' army:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQjeJ2oe30k

^^Even in my post I said that is wasn't directly related to the England bid. I wasn't trying to compare cricket fans to those of Soccer. I was merely paying tribute to a bunch of funny bastards from England whom Australia happens to be playing at the moment in a 5 game Test series of Cricket known as "the Ashes". I wouldn't expect people from non cricket nations to know of it or care.

Anyyyyyway......

Five former England internationals are to bolster the 2018 World Cup bid team in Zurich next week as the battle to secure votes continues.

Sir Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Andy Cole and John Barnes join a 30-man party that is led by Football Association president Prince William.

Prime Minister David Cameron, England boss Fabio Capello and ex-captain David Beckham are also in the delegation.

Full England 2018 delegation:
HRH Prince William of Wales (FA president)
Rt Hon David Cameron, (Prime Minister)
David Beckham (vice-president, England 2018)
Andy Anson (England 2018 chief executive)
David Dein (international president, England 2018)
Eddie Afekafe (ambassador, England 2018)
Lord Coe (England 2018 board member)
Roger Burden (acting FA chairman)
Richard Scudamore (Premier League chief executive)
Greg Clarke (Football League chairman)
Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt (Secretary of State Culture, Media Sport & Olympics)
Paul Elliott (England 2018 board member)
Lord Mawhinney (England 2018 board member)
Andy Cole (football ambassador)
Rt Hon Hugh Robertson (Minister for Sport)
Sir Bobby Charlton (football ambassador)
Fabio Capello (England manager)
John Barnes (football ambassador)
Alan Shearer (football ambassador)
Gary Lineker (football ambassador)
Kadra Ege (legacy ambassador)
Boris Johnson (Mayor of London)

[The remaining eight places within the 30-man delegation are taken by support and technical staff from the bid team.]

http://en.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1563427.html

UEFA Champions League final ambassador Gary Lineker says walking up the Wembley steps to lift a trophy "is about as special a feeling as you can get" as he looks ahead to the event.

UEFA Champions League final ambassador Gary Lineker tells UEFA.com his favourite Wembley moments and explains what makes the stadium unique as he looks ahead to the showpiece match in London next May. Having scored 25 goals at the famous old ground and won the FA Cup there with Tottenham Hotspur FC, the former England international is certainly well qualified on the subject.

UEFA.com: What makes Wembley so special?

Gary Lineker: It's got so much history. The original stadium had so much history going right back to FA Cup finals, the [FIFA] World Cup final, European Cup finals. All the players I think aspired, right around the world, to actually play there. I don't think that has changed with the new stadium. What you have now is the same environment, which is on the same site, but you've also got a beautiful stadium. The new Wembley is magnificent.

UEFA.com: And the memories are still there ...

Lineker: Very much so, it's still got the same sort of feel. Clearly that comes from the fact that it's on the same plot of land, really. Players will still dream of playing at Wembley and certainly they'll dream of playing the Champions League final at Wembley.

UEFA.com. What is your favourite Wembley memory?

Lineker: My favourite memory has to be the 1991 FA Cup final for Spurs. I played in two cup finals – one in 1986, which was the first all-Merseyside final, between Everton and Liverpool and even though I scored on that occasion, I ended up on the losing side. But I was determined to get back there one day and lift the cup and did it with Spurs.

UEFA.com: You had scored twice in the semi-final against Arsenal that season ...

Lineker: Yes, and that was the first-ever semi-final to be played at Wembley as well, which was almost as special a memory as the final, because it was such an important game. Arsenal were so strong – nobody fancied Tottenham to win on that occasion. But against the odds we did. I got two goals and Gazza [Paul Gascoigne] scored an unbelievable free-kick. But without winning the final, the semi-final would not have meant so much.

UEFA.com: Can you describe the feeling of walking up the steps to receive the trophy?

Lineker:"Walking up those steps to receive a trophy is just about as special a feeling as you can get". It's great they have kept that, it's really important. It's really hard walking up there when you have lost. Those steps seem very tiring. But when you've won, they don't seem to affect you at all.

UEFA.com: How does it feel to be the UEFA Champions League ambassador this season?

Lineker: It makes me feel proud. I think the Champions League is a wonderful competition, with the best teams in Europe, the best club competition in the world. And the fact it's coming to London as well, to Wembley – a long time since it's been in London. So it's great, and it's nice to be part and parcel of both the Champions League and the fact it's at Wembley.

UEFA.com: The last time a final was held at Wembley was in 1992 when your former club Barcelona beat Sampdoria ...

Lineker: I was at that game, I went along to watch. I had finished at Barcelona a few years previously, so I was desperately keen that they won it and they thoroughly deserved to. It was [Ronald] Koeman who knocked it away for the winner. It was a very emotional occasion and a terrific atmosphere, as there always was at Wembley and still is.

UEFA.com: It would be great to have another memorable goal like Koeman's perhaps this May ...

Lineker: Yes, terrific strike. Not many players can hit it as well as he used to do. Let's hope there's more than just one in this final. And it would also be nice perhaps to see an English team in the final. The fact it's in London, you've got three London teams as well, so there's probably more chance than you would normally have in the Champions League of actually getting a 'home-ish' team in the final.

UEFA.com: If you could play alongside a current UEFA Champions League striker, who would it be?

Lineker: I pick Messi all day long. It would be a dream to play with him as a striker – because not only does he beat people and score wonderful goals himself, he's also unselfish and a brilliant little passer of the ball around the box. I always love watching Lionel Messi play, he's just such a fabulous talent. He's one of those players that when you're watching a football match, you're desperate for him to have the ball, because he lights up any stadium.

Does anyone think that the fact that South America have said they will vote for Spain/Protugal will harm Englands bid?

The passion for football in England runs much deeper than the 'big' clubs though, there are over 110 full-time professional clubs.
Here's a clip from a game last season from the fifth tier of English football, I doubt you would get the same atmosphere in a game from the same level in any other country in the world.

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Does anyone think that the fact that South America have said they will vote for Spain/Protugal will harm Englands bid?

Are you a girl? And yes.

Does anyone think that the fact that South America have said they will vote for Spain/Protugal will harm Englands bid?

Not greatly.

I'm pretty sure that virtually everyone within football circles already knew that the three South American delegates would support Spain / Portugal.

England certainly wouldn't have been counting on their votes. So the announcement makes no difference to them.

The passion for football in England runs much deeper than the 'big' clubs though, there are over 110 full-time professional clubs.
Here's a clip from a game last season from the fifth tier of English football, I doubt you would get the same atmosphere in a game from the same level in any other country in the world.

Indeed, in terms of total attendence the Championship (England's 2nd division) is the fourth best attended league in Europe, and average attendences are very similar to the Eredivisie and not far off the French Premier League.

League 1 (England's 3rd division) is roughly equivilent to the league above it in Spain, and indeed England has more than twice the number of professional clubs compared with the Spanish. England's 3rd division also draws 1m more fans than the Russian Premier League over the course of a season, and has an average attendence only a few thousand lower than the top league in Russia.

Only Germany really comes close to matching the sheer depth of the English game - and I'm not even sure Germany can match England below, say, level 3. This is something that should be pushed by our bid team. It is undoubtedly the biggest strength of our country's footballing history.

I always find this website to be very interesting, the Pyramid.info, showing the complete league structure in England:

http://www.thepyramid.info/asp/pyramid3.asp

And, even more detail here; a list of clubs and leagues in England by attendence (a couple of years old):

http://www.tonykempster.co.uk/attcomp.htm

And how appropriate that we should be talking about this on an FA Cup Weekend:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9228363.stm

:)

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/213/stadiumstars4151.jpg

i was thinking that england will win easily this bid but after seeing a report, i think russia is able to steal the show.

And you think the money "under the table" they can put..

But England did the same to win the olympics bid for 2012 because i honestly think in term of structures paris was ahead but it is another debate!

Sebastien Coe did the great part of the job :(

London won because it presented a clear and brilliant concept which is coming nicely to fruition, combining new venues in a massive inner-city park with world renowned exisiting venues like Wembley, Wimbledon, Lords, Old Trafford, the O2 etc. London's final presentation was also, in every way, superior to Paris' which was dull and demanding. London outboxed Paris for 2012. Simple as that. Paris may have been ahead in terms of structures but nowhere does it say that the safest technical bid has to win.

If Russia wins it'll be because FIFA likes its concept, despite it being a long way behind England in terms of exisiting infrastructure. Unless you've evidence to the contrary rather than insinuations I'll take a Russian victory to be deserved - just as London 2012's was - and I'll certainly congratulate them if they win.

That's not to say there's not HUGE question marks over FIFA and their processes. Those question marks will be hanging over FIFA no matter who wins, as they have done for the last decade at least.

With only seven days to go until FIFA announces which nation will host the 2018 FIFA World Cup™, England's bid has received a major boost from sponsor Morrisons.

England legend Alan Shearer and actress, model and England fan Kelly Brook this morning delivered over 1.6 million signatures to the England 2018 Bid offices at Wembley. The giant petition was the result of an eight-month campaign by Morrisons, an official partner of the England 2018 bid, that encouraged its customers to Back the Bid by signing up in-store.

The campaign, which was launched by Shearer in March, has seen customers from across the country pledge their support for the bid and is believed to be amongst the largest petitions ever registered in England.

http://www.england2018bid.com/news/365/1-6m-morrisons-customers-back-england-2018.aspx

England's going to need every vote it can muster especially with supporters like MiseryMike poisoning every other bid. :lol: :lol:

The levels of self delusion on this forum reaching new heights I see.

On the atmosphere thingy. Can anyone name the only nation which actually managed to drown out those bloody Vuvuzela's at the last world cup?

Ummm ... England.

Whatever you think of the atmospheres, a great weekend for the Premier League to go goal mad. 36 goals in 8 games. Good timing that. :D

And this is the difference between English fans and Everyone else. Its across the board.

100,000 Aussies ... and then the English ;)

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Outnumber the Yanks thousands of miles away for a Boxing Belt

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english fans are stupid sometimes! :rant: how can they not respect and national anthem away?!!! They use to do this everytime when there's a big match! (argentina, germany, france in wembley 1999 etc...) It's just a stupid habit they have now! and all of those guys aren't even hooligans!!!

The same at wimbledon when a english player plays! they boo others players and applause each time if he makes a fault! just a shame

It's a shame! I don't want to see this if england has the world cup 2018!

Stop this exacerbated nationalism that leads to win nothing :mad:

A minority of idiots Axel. Just like when Ashley Cole was booed every time he touched the ball vs Khazakstan at Wembley after he'd made a mistake for their goal. Some of the press ran with that as if the whole stadium was booing but, being in the stadium that night, I can tell you it was probably less than 1 in 20 people.

The same at wimbledon when a english player plays! they boo others players and applause each time if he makes a fault! just a shame


That's not true (I've never ever heard that), and if it is, certainly not to the same extent as Roland Garros, the Grand Slam with by far the worst reputation in that regard. I've never seen a nasty crowd at Wimbledon but they can get quite partisan and nasty in the French Open. There is a definite culture of booing and heckling among a number of French tennis fans which you just don't get at any of the other Slams.

Nadal was booed at the French last time he played there. Sharapova, the Williams sisters and Hingis have experienced the same. By contrast, Nadal is loved at Wimbledon, and was cheered today at the O2 when he played and beat Murray in the ATP Masters semi-final.

english fans are stupid sometimes! :rant: how can they not respect and national anthem away?!!! They use to do this everytime when there's a big match! (argentina, germany, france in wembley 1999 etc...) It's just a stupid habit they have now! and all of those guys aren't even hooligans!!!

The same at wimbledon when a english player plays! they boo others players and applause each time if he makes a fault! just a shame

It's a shame! I don't want to see this if england has the world cup 2018!

Stop this exacerbated nationalism that leads to win nothing :mad:
I agree. The Barmy Army footage is terrific but the boxing fans are cringe worthy. Even England's football fans learned the hard way some time time ago that booing national anthems inevitably boosts the opposition's performance and it makes them look classless.

english fans are stupid sometimes! :rant: how can they not respect and national anthem away?!!! They use to do this everytime when there's a big match! (argentina, germany, france in wembley 1999 etc...) It's just a stupid habit they have now! and all of those guys aren't even hooligans!!!

The same at wimbledon when a english player plays! they boo others players and applause each time if he makes a fault! just a shame

It's a shame! I don't want to see this if england has the world cup 2018!

Stop this exacerbated nationalism that leads to win nothing :mad:

The same at Wimbledon? Booing of other players?

Stop making shit up, you silly sausage!

Yes, of course Wimbledon crowds get massively behind Andy Murray. They don't cheer because the other player has made a mistake. They cheer because Murray has won a point. Pretty obvious, I would have thought. Duh!

I guarantee you that you get the exact same reaction from fans in Paris when a French player is playing; or New York when an American is playing; or Melbourne when an Aussie is playing.

As to football fans booing opposition national anthems, that no longer happens in England. It went out with hooliganism.

^^Actually I would also agree. Nothing wrong with the support at Wimbledon. I hadn't noticed Axelferis's tennis comment when i made my previous post.

On the atmosphere thingy. Can anyone name the only nation which actually managed to drown out those bloody Vuvuzela's at the last world cup?

Ummm ... England.

The same could be said anywhere!! Every EPL game is the same boring song anyway. "Oh when the saints". Channel change needed.

....not to the same extent as Roland Garros, the Grand Slam with by far the worst reputation in that regard. I've never seen a nasty crowd at Wimbledon but they can get quite partisan and nasty in the French Open. There is a definite culture of booing and heckling among a number of French tennis fans which you just don't get at any of the other Slams.

Latin culture (hot-tempered people) ! :yes:
Remember that Roland Garros is the only non-Ango-Saxon slam.

Nadal was booed at the French last time he played there. Sharapova, the Williams sisters and Hingis have experienced the same.

Because they deserved it ! Especially that crybaby girl named Hingis !!! :D:D

Ho, and BTW, most of players love the atmosphere at Roland Garros, precisely because of the French fans !

Yeah exactly, on the flipside the atmosphere is often great at RG; much better than Wimbledon often creates. I was just countering Axel's claim that Wimbledon somehow has a bad reputation for being partisan. It really doesn't, especially compared with the French Open.

The same could be said anywhere!! Every EPL game is the same boring song anyway. "Oh when the saints". Channel change needed.
Maybe if the channels where you live could afford to show something other than "Season Review 1983" it'd be different.

That Steve Moran though...could turn out to be some player, huh?

The same at Wimbledon? Booing of other players?

Stop making shit up, you silly sausage!

Yes, of course Wimbledon crowds get massively behind Andy Murray. They don't cheer because the other player has made a mistake. They cheer because Murray has won a point. Pretty obvious, I would have thought. Duh!

I guarantee you that you get the exact same reaction from fans in Paris when a French player is playing; or New York when an American is playing; or Melbourne when an Aussie is playing.

As to football fans booing opposition national anthems, that no longer happens in England. It went out with hooliganism.

a few years ago i notice they were applausing the faults of the player opposed to a british ,i don't remember his name (2005),

i was shocked because it was unusual at wimbledon (i was a fan of tennis and it is for me my prefered tournament :D ) it was the younger (22-25 people especially those bi**** of girls who eructed like orgasm their stupidity )

And the booing habit still to exist as goes the importance of a game (world cup or euro for example)

Please stop to defend systematically your fans when they are wrong! The video with the boxe match is just a shame :bash:

a few years ago i notice they were applausing the faults of the player opposed to a british ,i don't remember his name (2005),

i was shocked because it was unusual at wimbledon (i was a fan of tennis and it is for me my prefered tournament :D ) it was the younger (22-25 people especially those bi**** of girls who eructed like orgasm their stupidity )

And the booing habit still to exist as goes the importance of a game (world cup or euro for example)

Please stop to defend systematically your fans when they are wrong! The video with the boxe match is just a shame :bash:

1. Again......why is it so hard for you to understand that when British players like Andy Murray or Tim Henman play at Wimbledon, the crowd cheer every point they win - regardless of whether those points were won as a result of their excellence or as a result of their opponents' mistakes? There's nothing wrong or unusual in that at all. It happens all over the world. Stop trying to imply that only the English do it. It's utter bollocks.

2. And the booing of opposition national anthems at England football matches is now very rare. And when it does occur, it has nothing to do with the importance of the occasion. It only ever happens if the opposition fans have already disrespected England's national anthem.

3. I didn't try to defend the boxing crowd. So why throw it back at me?

The same could be said anywhere!! Every EPL game is the same boring song anyway. "Oh when the saints". Channel change needed.

Even I have to disagree with you here. Well sort of. There is one version of 'Oh when the saints" that is one of the best football songs/chants around. The way the spurs fans sing it very slow is superb.

Most other sets of fans 'happy clap' their way through that particular song/chant. Any match-going lad will know what I mean.

1.
2. And the booing of opposition national anthems at England football matches is now very rare. And when it does occur, it has nothing to do with the importance of the occasion. It only ever happens if the opposition fans have already disrespected England's national anthem.

?

people don't disrespect england anthem don't invent this! :ohno:

people don't disrespect england anthem don't invent this! :ohno:

Err.........yes, they do, on rare occasions.

eqdQnGCLV-U

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/61/163769474_32bcdd3b4e.jpg

x09hoX95K9o

2018 World Cup: England is best placed to spread the gospel of football

http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2010/11/17/article-1290028621319-0993218B000005DC-39120_636x447.jpg

England has a fantastic case and this week I will be going to Zurich with the rest of the 2018 team to argue – humbly but passionately – that we deserve to be given a chance. It is vital not to sound boastful about our role in the history of the game (and frankly we don’t have that much to boast about lately on the pitch); and the England bid is not so much that we are a nation of football fans with all the facilities already in place – though both points are strong. Our case is that an England World Cup in 2018 would be the best way of spreading the benefits of football training around the world.

This summer I found myself stuck in a vast traffic jam in Dar es Salaam, and as I listened to the Swahili football commentary on the radio I realised that it was live coverage of the Fulham-Man U game. Then I looked around me in the traffic, and was amazed to see how many dalla-dalla minibuses were decked in the livery of Chelsea or Manchester United, and it hit me that there were almost certainly more Chelsea fans in Dar es Salaam than in Chelsea itself.

These brands – English premiership clubs – are simply colossal in the imaginations of young people around the world. London clubs are already engaged in outreach programmes in some of the poorest communities on earth, helping to bring football training, for instance, to townships in South Africa. The key proposition of England 2018 is that we will create a festival of football that would raise the revenues to multiply that effect around the world.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/borisjohnson/8166909/2018-World-Cup-England-is-best-placed-to-spread-the-gospel-of-football.html

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8JXpdP0X1Y/TE7v25oQ2PI/AAAAAAAABQA/2cYwBuXHe2I/s1600/football+party+in+the+park+july+2010.jpg

Arrests of English and Welsh soccer fans for disorderly conduct at matches in the 2009-2010 season fell by 10 percent from the previous campaign, according to the U.K. Home Office.

There were 3,391 arrests in the season, a decline of 395, according to a statement e-mailed today. The figures include the World Cup in South Africa, where no English or Welsh fans were arrested, the Home Office said.

The U.K. has used banning orders for the last decade to prevent supporters with criminal histories from attending matches. Those bans increased to 3,248 in November from 3,180 12 months earlier. Ministers and police said the situation has improved since 2000, when 950 British hooligans were expelled from Belgium in one night during the European championships.

“There are many factors behind this and the greatest credit must go to the fans,” Crime Prevention Minister James Brokenshire said in the statement. “But I want to see them continue to build on that good behaviour. We must also applaud the work of police in making football a safer environment for all.”

England is bidding to host the 2018 World Cup, and a committee at FIFA, the sport’s governing body, will vote Dec. 2 on where the event will be held.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-29/u-k-government-says-arrests-of-english-welsh-soccer-fans-dropped-by-10-.html

Islander’s work is a boost for England’s World Cup bid

ONE Islander’s efforts could prove decisive in helping England to win their bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

St Brelade resident Sir Bob Murray, the former chairman of Sunderland Football Club, has played a major role in convincing the Football Association to give the green light to a state-of-the-art National Football Centre.

He believes that the go-ahead for the new centre in Burton-upon-Trent could not have come at a better time, as it could prove vital in England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, which will be decided this week.

I think we can safely say the England bid came to an end tonight at 21:00 GMT. Thanks BBC and the so called 'public interest'. FIFA will no longer vote for us after that rehash of old allegations. Why did they have to broadcast this three days before the decision?

I don't agree that it should have been moved and mucho respect for the BBC for doing this. And actually, having seen it, I don't think it's killed our bid either...

The allegations against Warner were certainly new (having not been sacked from FIFA for selling tickets to touts during the 2006 world cup, he tried to sell 10s of thousands of pounds worth of tickets on the black market during South Africa 2010).

The naming of the members on the ISL list was new, though the list itself was known about for some time.

And, thanks to the Dutch, who decided to publish FIFA's list of "confidential" demands on a host nation, we now also know that FIFA expects their organisation to be granted TOTAL tax exemption for the entire duration of the world cup, and tax breaks for its ExCo members and senior staff. England, the USA, Spain; whoever hosts the world cup in 2018/22 will become an offshore tax haven for FIFA for a fortnight.

And, scarily, I agree 100% with David Mellor.

So, nothing explosive, but a few new revelations from Panorama tonight.

I'm not sure there's enough there to really scare off FIFA from England to be honest...most people will forget about all this by next week, because telling them FIFA is corrupt is a bit like saying the Antarctic's a bit nippy.

I don't agree that it should have been moved and mucho respect for the BBC for doing this. And actually, having seen it, I don't think it's killed our bid either...

The allegations against Warner were certainly new (having not been sacked from FIFA for selling tickets to touts during the 2006 world cup, he tried to sell 10s of thousands of pounds worth of tickets on the black market during South Africa 2010).

The naming of the members on the ISL list was new, though the list itself was known about for some time.

And, thanks to the Dutch, who decided to publish FIFA's list of "confidential" demands on a host nation, we now also know that FIFA expects their organisation to be granted TOTAL tax exemption for the entire duration of the world cup, and tax breaks for its ExCo members and senior staff. England, the USA, Spain; whoever hosts the world cup in 2018/22 will become an offshore tax haven for FIFA for a fortnight.

And, scarily, I agree 100% with David Mellor.

So, nothing explosive, but a few new revelations from Panorama tonight.

I'm not sure there's enough there to really scare off FIFA from England to be honest...most people will forget about all this by next week, because telling them FIFA is corrupt is a bit like saying the Antarctic's a bit nippy.

But its not next week its Thursday. Plus its going to antagonise the people making the decision.

Well they shouldn't have tried to sell black market tickets then should they? Or accepted kickbacks? For feck's sake, if allegations against some MPs came out and were aired the night before a vote in Parliament we wouldn't be hounding the BBC. Why should this unelected clique, many of whom are criminals, expect special treatment from our media?

This really angers me. So the BBC are going to take the blame if England lose and FIFA will carry on doing "business" as normal, is that it? Because of FIFA's untouchability and total unaccountability we end up with a perverse situation where an organisation proved to be as corrupt as the night is long gets off scot free, whilst the BBC, for exposing them, is hounded. Is that how things are supposed to work?

Well, count me out Archie. I'm not sure I want a world cup in this country if it means getting into bed with FIFA and changing the way our media works to accommodate their criminality. It's not as though we need a world cup to continue being one of the biggest footballing nations on earth. FIFA needs us on their side far more than we need them. It's about time we showed them that, and tonight's documentary was as good a start as any.

Well they shouldn't have tried to sell black market tickets then should they? Or accepted kickbacks? For feck's sake, if allegations against some MPs came out and were aired the night before a vote in Parliament we wouldn't be hounding the BBC. Why should this unelected clique, many of whom are criminals, expect special treatment from our media?

This really angers me. So the BBC are going to take the blame if England lose and FIFA will carry on doing "business" as normal, is that it? Because of FIFA's untouchability and total unaccountability we end up with a perverse situation where an organisation proved to be as corrupt as the night is long gets off scot free, whilst the BBC, for exposing them, is hounded. Is that how things are supposed to work?

Well, count me out Archie. I'm not sure I want a world cup in this country if it means getting into bed with FIFA and changing the way our media works to accommodate their criminality. It's not as though we need a world cup to continue being one of the biggest footballing nations on earth. FIFA needs us on their side far more than we need them. It's about time we showed them that, and tonight's documentary was as good a start as any.

:applause:

Very well said.

Much as I would like England to host the 2018 World Cup, it is far more important that pressure is relentlessly brought to bear on FIFA until they become an open and fair organisation, free from rampant corruption.

Well, count me out Archie. I'm not sure I want a world cup in this country if it means getting into bed with FIFA and changing the way our media works to accommodate their criminality. It's not as though we need a world cup to continue being one of the biggest footballing nations on earth. FIFA needs us on their side far more than we need them. It's about time we showed them that, and tonight's documentary was as good a start as any.

Tonight's documentary will serve as a vehicle for FIFA to demonstrate 'impartiality' on 2 December 2010.

I was out-voted on the TV front in favour of Miranda Hart rather than Panorama - how was it?

Damn I feel bad for England, both Russia and England have good bids, but i think i would have prefferred England"s bid. Oh well Russia 2018.

FIFA is worse than most despotic regimes. Now they won't have an impartial look at England's bid and vote based on its merits but instead Jack Warner and his gang of thieves are pissed off because an independent tv station dared to expose their lying, corrupt ways.

Sepp Blatter is scum. Always has been always will be. Try to keep him as far away from your country as possible.

Why are our Government shamelessly doing business with those who are allegedly involved in corruption, or at the very least appear to be condoning corruption?

Any other public related body would be in serious hot water if they even attempted to enter into a contract of any kind without carrying out due dilligence beforehand. Surely EU rules on procurement have an implication somewhere.

Long live the BBC

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/columnists/2010/10/26/1288097508969/England-2018-World-Cup-Bi-006.jpg

Why South Africa's empty World Cup stadiums could boost England's 2018 bid

Do Fifa want to risk a stampede from another herd of white elephants?

http://u.goal.com/58500/58518.jpg


In May 2004, Fifa announced that South Africa would host the 2010 World Cup. A delegation led by former president Nelson Mandela erupted in celebration.

Amidst a a few voices of concern about the country's alarming crime rate, HIV/Aids problems and wealth inequality, the decision was largely met with acclaim.

The nation's journey from being the pariah of the sporting world to hosting the World Cup filled us all with hope and optimism.

Six years on and 22 Fifa executive committee members are set to decide where the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be held.

This small group of middle-aged men have the power to make a decision that will impact on millions of lives - and lead to the expenditure of billions.

Fresh in their memory will be the 2010 World Cup which has been deemed both a success and a failure depending on who you speak to and how they define what makes a World Cup successful.

As a spectacle some would argue South Africa 2010 was a failure. With the noisy drone of vuvuzelas suppressing the cheers and jeers of the crowd it was certainly not a treat for the ears.

Moreover the low-scoring opening matches and a series of superstars that failed to light up the tournament also fuels the belief that South Africa 2010 was not a vintage World Cup.

But giving the World Cup to South Africa was never about providing the optimum conditions for Lionel Messi to dazzle and nor was it about convenience for the core football market of Europe.

The decision to award the World Cup to Africa in the first place was all about taking football into a new market and creating a legacy that will benefit a whole continent.

So perhaps the true barometer of whether World Cup 2010 delivered the goods is to ascertain whether there are any signs of that legacy in South Africa today.

South Africa spent a whopping 38 billion rand (£3.7 billion) on stadiums and infrastructure to realise the vision of Africa's first World Cup.

But what happened after Spain, the tournament's winners, packed up their boots and got on the plane back to Madrid?

For Neal Collins, a South African-born author and journalist, Fifa have left behind them a shameful legacy of empty stadiums.

"The white elephants - 10 magnificent football stadiums lying empty and unused - serve as a constant reminder of the expensive legacy of the Fifa World Cup," says Collins.

The World Cup stadiums in the northern cities of Polokwane and Nelspruit lie empty and seem doomed to remain so for many years to come.

Collins says: "In Polokwane, the new Peter Mokabe stadium, capacity 45,000, sits unused next to the old Peter Mokabe stadium, capacity 20,000, which was quite suitable for South Africa’s northernmost city. In rural Nelspruit, the Mbombela Stadium has no suitors. Neither city has a side in the local Premier League."

In Durban the Moses Mabhida stadium was recently snubbed by neighbouring rugby team the Sharks as its operators searched for a new tenant, whilst cricket bosses are unhappy that the playing areas of all the new stadiums are too small for their sport.

Soccer City in Johannesburg served as the flagship stadium of the World Cup and largest sports venue in Africa. The 95,000 seater venue underwent a £300 million renovation before the World Cup and costs around £250,000 a month to maintain.

It is regarded as the de facto national stadium for the South African football team but other than the occasional derbies between local rivals Kaizer Chiefs and the Orlando Pirates, the stadium has struggled to generate post World Cup revenue.

The 2010 World Cup organising committee chief Danny Jordaan wants to turn the venue, which under its previous guise as the FNB Stadium hosted Nelson Mandela's first speech following his release from prison, into a tourist attraction.

He said this week: "What do we offer the many tourists who come to the venue where Spanish soccer recorded its finest hour? They come to see the stadium where their team conquered the globe and we offer them nothing. All they can do is just sit on the stands, pose for a picture and that's it.

"Why don't we sell them a Spain or a Bafana jersey, a tiny piece of the pitch, a meal, the 2010 World Cup memorabilia?"

Should south-west Johannesburg and the township of Soweto not take off as a tourist destination for Spanish fans, the future of Soccer City, which is currently at the centre of a naming dispute over whether it must revert to being called FNB Stadium, is clouded in uncertainty.

A concert announced by Irish rockers U2 for February 2011 offers some hope that music could fill the void but a coherent plan on how to make the mammoth venue profitable remains elusive.

Meanwhile in South Africa's legislative capital, Cape Town's Green Point stadium, which hosted England's second group match against Algeria, hosts the odd Ajax Cape Town football match, luring an average of 7,000 supporters to the venue which has a capacity of 55,000 (reduced from 64,000) after the World Cup.

In rugby-loving Cape Town the best hope the stadium's owners have is to lure the union team, the Stormers, away from the Newlands Rugby Stadium. But with Western Province - another rugby team saying no thanks, it is unlikely the Stormers will fill the void.

Cape Town tourism's PR manager Sky Grove insists the stadium has a bright future: "Cape Town Stadium has not become a white elephant since the end of the World Cup.

"Most recently it has been used for the Nelson Mandela Challenge where Bafana Bafana played the USA, and in addition has been used for other sporting and spiritual events.

"There is already a line-up of music, entertainment and sporting events planned for 2011."

Grove says that the World Cup benefited Cape Town by fast-tracking much needed improvements to infrastructure.

"We have a new state-of-the-art airport, an upgraded City station, an affordable airport shuttle, more security cameras and specialist police training around hosting mega-events. An entire area, known as the stadium precinct, was created, complete with a green park."

However, she adds: "It is too early to measure the long-term economic benefit of the World Cup. The direct, short term benefits were not as great as initially perceived but there could be several reasons for this, including the fact that the world was in the throes of an economic depression.

"There are already sentiments to suggest that it is more economically viable to focus on a greater spread of smaller events across a number of trades, disciplines and areas of interest, than to focus on attracting other large events in the future."

Should the site of an empty Soccer City, which served as such a magnificent venue for the opening and closing ceremonies and matches of the 2010 World Cup, rest on the conscience of any Fifa Executive Committee members then it is hard to imagine how front-runners Russia, who have pledged to build eight new stadiums, can seem such a desirable option.

Fifa likes to use the World Cup to spark new markets for the game in areas that could do with such as boost. They want to grow the global game by taking it to every corner of the planet.

But in places such as Russia - where the average attendances for the top division (12,500) fall below those in the Scottish Premier League - spending billions on stadiums and infrastructure would be another massive gamble.

Brazil in 2014 will likely lead to the creation of another herd of white elephants - four host cities, Manaus, Brasilia, Cuiabá and Natal, do not have a club in the country's top three divisions.

Another World Cup leading to another cluster of empty stadiums in a country with high unemployment and wealth discrepancies will only lead to more criticism for Fifa and Brazil's football authorities.

Those executive committee members with the foresight to see that might just feel that England's "ready to host the World Cup tomorrow" factor is not just the safest option for 2018. It's the only viable one too.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3541/world-cup-bids/2010/11/30/2238107/why-south-africas-empty-world-cup-stadiums-could-boost

Why South Africa's empty World Cup stadiums could boost England's 2018 bid

Do Fifa want to risk a stampede from another herd of white elephants?

http://u.goal.com/58500/58518.jpg


In May 2004, Fifa announced that South Africa would host the 2010 World Cup. A delegation led by former president Nelson Mandela erupted in celebration.

Amidst a a few voices of concern about the country's alarming crime rate, HIV/Aids problems and wealth inequality, the decision was largely met with acclaim.

The nation's journey from being the pariah of the sporting world to hosting the World Cup filled us all with hope and optimism.

Six years on and 22 Fifa executive committee members are set to decide where the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be held.

This small group of middle-aged men have the power to make a decision that will impact on millions of lives - and lead to the expenditure of billions.

Fresh in their memory will be the 2010 World Cup which has been deemed both a success and a failure depending on who you speak to and how they define what makes a World Cup successful.

As a spectacle some would argue South Africa 2010 was a failure. With the noisy drone of vuvuzelas suppressing the cheers and jeers of the crowd it was certainly not a treat for the ears.

Moreover the low-scoring opening matches and a series of superstars that failed to light up the tournament also fuels the belief that South Africa 2010 was not a vintage World Cup.

But giving the World Cup to South Africa was never about providing the optimum conditions for Lionel Messi to dazzle and nor was it about convenience for the core football market of Europe.

The decision to award the World Cup to Africa in the first place was all about taking football into a new market and creating a legacy that will benefit a whole continent.

So perhaps the true barometer of whether World Cup 2010 delivered the goods is to ascertain whether there are any signs of that legacy in South Africa today.

South Africa spent a whopping 38 billion rand (£3.7 billion) on stadiums and infrastructure to realise the vision of Africa's first World Cup.

But what happened after Spain, the tournament's winners, packed up their boots and got on the plane back to Madrid?

For Neal Collins, a South African-born author and journalist, Fifa have left behind them a shameful legacy of empty stadiums.

"The white elephants - 10 magnificent football stadiums lying empty and unused - serve as a constant reminder of the expensive legacy of the Fifa World Cup," says Collins.

The World Cup stadiums in the northern cities of Polokwane and Nelspruit lie empty and seem doomed to remain so for many years to come.

Collins says: "In Polokwane, the new Peter Mokabe stadium, capacity 45,000, sits unused next to the old Peter Mokabe stadium, capacity 20,000, which was quite suitable for South Africa’s northernmost city. In rural Nelspruit, the Mbombela Stadium has no suitors. Neither city has a side in the local Premier League."

In Durban the Moses Mabhida stadium was recently snubbed by neighbouring rugby team the Sharks as its operators searched for a new tenant, whilst cricket bosses are unhappy that the playing areas of all the new stadiums are too small for their sport.

Soccer City in Johannesburg served as the flagship stadium of the World Cup and largest sports venue in Africa. The 95,000 seater venue underwent a £300 million renovation before the World Cup and costs around £250,000 a month to maintain.

It is regarded as the de facto national stadium for the South African football team but other than the occasional derbies between local rivals Kaizer Chiefs and the Orlando Pirates, the stadium has struggled to generate post World Cup revenue.

The 2010 World Cup organising committee chief Danny Jordaan wants to turn the venue, which under its previous guise as the FNB Stadium hosted Nelson Mandela's first speech following his release from prison, into a tourist attraction.

He said this week: "What do we offer the many tourists who come to the venue where Spanish soccer recorded its finest hour? They come to see the stadium where their team conquered the globe and we offer them nothing. All they can do is just sit on the stands, pose for a picture and that's it.

"Why don't we sell them a Spain or a Bafana jersey, a tiny piece of the pitch, a meal, the 2010 World Cup memorabilia?"

Should south-west Johannesburg and the township of Soweto not take off as a tourist destination for Spanish fans, the future of Soccer City, which is currently at the centre of a naming dispute over whether it must revert to being called FNB Stadium, is clouded in uncertainty.

A concert announced by Irish rockers U2 for February 2011 offers some hope that music could fill the void but a coherent plan on how to make the mammoth venue profitable remains elusive.

Meanwhile in South Africa's legislative capital, Cape Town's Green Point stadium, which hosted England's second group match against Algeria, hosts the odd Ajax Cape Town football match, luring an average of 7,000 supporters to the venue which has a capacity of 55,000 (reduced from 64,000) after the World Cup.

In rugby-loving Cape Town the best hope the stadium's owners have is to lure the union team, the Stormers, away from the Newlands Rugby Stadium. But with Western Province - another rugby team saying no thanks, it is unlikely the Stormers will fill the void.

Cape Town tourism's PR manager Sky Grove insists the stadium has a bright future: "Cape Town Stadium has not become a white elephant since the end of the World Cup.

"Most recently it has been used for the Nelson Mandela Challenge where Bafana Bafana played the USA, and in addition has been used for other sporting and spiritual events.

"There is already a line-up of music, entertainment and sporting events planned for 2011."

Grove says that the World Cup benefited Cape Town by fast-tracking much needed improvements to infrastructure.

"We have a new state-of-the-art airport, an upgraded City station, an affordable airport shuttle, more security cameras and specialist police training around hosting mega-events. An entire area, known as the stadium precinct, was created, complete with a green park."

However, she adds: "It is too early to measure the long-term economic benefit of the World Cup. The direct, short term benefits were not as great as initially perceived but there could be several reasons for this, including the fact that the world was in the throes of an economic depression.

"There are already sentiments to suggest that it is more economically viable to focus on a greater spread of smaller events across a number of trades, disciplines and areas of interest, than to focus on attracting other large events in the future."

Should the site of an empty Soccer City, which served as such a magnificent venue for the opening and closing ceremonies and matches of the 2010 World Cup, rest on the conscience of any Fifa Executive Committee members then it is hard to imagine how front-runners Russia, who have pledged to build eight new stadiums, can seem such a desirable option.

Fifa likes to use the World Cup to spark new markets for the game in areas that could do with such as boost. They want to grow the global game by taking it to every corner of the planet.

But in places such as Russia - where the average attendances for the top division (12,500) fall below those in the Scottish Premier League - spending billions on stadiums and infrastructure would be another massive gamble.

Brazil in 2014 will likely lead to the creation of another herd of white elephants - four host cities, Manaus, Brasilia, Cuiabá and Natal, do not have a club in the country's top three divisions.

Another World Cup leading to another cluster of empty stadiums in a country with high unemployment and wealth discrepancies will only lead to more criticism for Fifa and Brazil's football authorities.

Those executive committee members with the foresight to see that might just feel that England's "ready to host the World Cup tomorrow" factor is not just the safest option for 2018. It's the only viable one too.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3541/world-cup-bids/2010/11/30/2238107/why-south-africas-empty-world-cup-stadiums-could-boost


I replied to this on goal.com

1. 10 magnificent football stadiums lying empty and unused:

Half of the venues were existing and already in good use. If Loftus or Ellis Park etc. are standing empty its because the rugby season is sort of over, its now sevens in George, and rugby/football will use them as needed.


Soccer City has regularly been hosting events and has sold out a few times alreayd. Cape Town was sold out for the Bafana Clash, sold out for U2, and has other concerts planned, conferences back to back last week.

Travel Corporation Gala
Bridal Fair
Jewish Conference Event
Design Indaba Gala
Cell C Launch

Heck, even Mbombela and Polokwane now have deals to host Premier League matches.


Mpumalanga Black Aces will today sign a contract with the Mbombela municipality to use the stadium for category 'A' matches coming up in the next few months.

KickOff.com has learnt that the contract will be signed at the stadium at 11h15 this morning.

The games in question are as follows:

Black Aces vs. Kaizer Chiefs – December 22 -19h30
Black Aces vs. Bloem. Celtic – January 14 – 20h00
Black Aces vs. Orlando Pirates – February 6 – 15h30
Black Aces vs. Mamelodi Sundowns – March 2 – 19h30
Black Aces vs. Moroka Swallows – May 21 – 15h00

Meanwhile, Amazayoni’s new home and away kit will also be on display.

kickoff.com

Duo to call Polokwane home

SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns look set to make the Peter Mokaba Stadium their home when they participate in Confederation of African Football (CAF) fixtures.

The Polokwane venue has seen very little action since hosting World Cup matches, mainly down to the fact that there are no Premier Soccer League clubs based in the area.

Matsatsantsa have already penned a deal to feature at the stadium, while The Brazilians are said to be in the final stages of negotiations.

Ndavhe Ramakuela, a member of the Polokwane municipality, told The Sowetan: "We have an agreement with SuperSport United and are still talking with Sundowns."

Many had feared that the Peter Mokaba Stadium, along with the Mbombela and Nelson Mandela Bay stadia, would become white elephants after the global showpiece, but initiatives like these are starting to change those opinions.

It is also a boost for the sport in the Limpopo province as there is little professional football on offer in the region.

The two Tshwane clubs will play against the cream of African football when the competition starts, making these exciting times for those in and around the Polokwane area.

Football365.co.za

This image is from BEFORE the World Cup

http://u.goal.com/58500/58518.jpg


AFTER the World Cup:

SA vs NZ Tri Nations match - SOLD OUT (http://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer-city-tri-nations-match-sold-out-1.674720)

Telkom Charity Cup - SOLD OUT

http://www.iol.co.za/logger/p.gif?a=1.675137&d=/2.225/2.228 Record crowd for Charity Cup

August 7 2010 at 03:21pm

A record 87,000 spectators filed into Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium for South Africa's season-opening Charity Cup on Saturday, less than a month after the arena hosted the World Cup final.
The country's Premier Soccer League (PSL) said it had sold 80,000 seats for the one-day tournament, which features four teams in three separate matches, and handed out a further 7,000 complimentary tickets.
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/00Jz8jP1Ar4dG/900x.jpg
Orlando Pirates vs FS Stars PSL match

Both legs of the Chiefs-Pirates MTN 8 semi final

Ghana vs. South Africa: 50,000

Soweto Derby - SOLD OUT

U2 - Almost SOLD OUT (Largest stop on their current world tour)

U2 tickets nearly sold out Monday, 25 October 2010 16:56 http://www.nationalstadium.co.za/templates/gk_icki_sports/images/pdf_button.png (http://www.nationalstadium.co.za/index.php?view=article&catid=28%3Anews&id=199%3Au2-tickets-nearly-sold-out&format=pdf&option=com_content&Itemid=20) http://www.nationalstadium.co.za/templates/gk_icki_sports/images/printButton.png (http://www.nationalstadium.co.za/index.php?view=article&catid=28%3Anews&id=199%3Au2-tickets-nearly-sold-out&tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=&option=com_content&Itemid=20) http://www.nationalstadium.co.za/templates/gk_icki_sports/images/emailButton.png (http://www.nationalstadium.co.za/index.php?option=com_mailto&tmpl=component&link=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5uYXRpb25hbHN0YWRpdW0uY28uemEvaW5kZXgucGhwP29wdGlvbj1jb21fY29udGVudCZ2aWV3PWFydGljbGUmaWQ9MTk5OnUyLXRpY2tldHMtbmVhcmx5LXNvbGQtb3V0JmNhdGlkPTI4Om5ld3MmSXRlbWlkPTIw) http://www.nationalstadium.co.za/images/stories/image003.jpg
Tickets to U2’s two concerts in South Africa have all but sold out only hours after going on sale.
The band will play at the FNB and Cape Town stadiums in February as part of their 360° Tour. It will be their first visit to South Africa since their PopMart Tour in 1998.
Tickets ranging from R161 to a special Red Zone at R2 568 went on sale yesterday at 9am.
By 7am Computicket reported having 17 000 users camping on the website. At 9am the website crashed from the surge of hopeful buyers, said Big Concerts chief financial officer Justin van Wyk.
But within 25 minutes of the website coming back up, more than 25 percent of the tickets had been sold.
The FNB Stadium in Gauteng can accommodate close to 100 000 ticket holders while Cape Town Stadium can hold almost 70 000 fans.


Chiefs vs. Pirates: November 2010


http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq290/africanbiohazard/chiefsvspirates3.jpg



Future Events

TELKOM KNOCKOUT CUP TICKETS SOLD OUT

http://cdn.playfair.co.za/kickoff/f80c25beefb2d2a833305a8f9e5ee4a4_40x40.jpg Tickets for the Telkom Knockout Final, Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs, set for Soccer City next weekend are sold out.

The last tickets sold, ranging between R40 and R60, were snapped up before 12 midnight on Friday.

However, despite the tickets being sold out there is still hope for soccer fans who want to make way to the FNB Stadium on December 4, as the PSL has announced that the suite tickets reserved for local football lovers are still available.

The tickets cost R230 for the non-catering suites, while fans will fork out R750 for limited-catering suites.

Tickets are available at Shoprite/Checkers and Computicket outlets around the country.

I'm not sure what the facts are Mo, I trust what you are telling me is the truth, but the article is really trying to fry FIFA for being utter knobs, not the other way around.

Join us at the Scoop for the FIFA World Cup 2018 Announcement

No reminder needed that England is in the race to host the FIFA World Cup 2018 and the announcement this Thursday will mark the final milestone in the England bid.

Fans are invited to join the excitement right here in London with a free, live event and public screening of the decision which will take place in the
The Scoop next to City Hall with the iconic Tower Bridge as the backdrop.

As well as the public screening of the announcement from Zurich, the Mayor is putting on a celebration of the ‘beautiful game’ with a whole range of performers including the Street Utd artists performing freestyle soccer, beat boxers, DJs, street dancers and more.

The fun kicks off at 2.30pm, with the announcement expected between 3.00-7.00pm. Entry is free and on a first come, first served basis. In this cold weather please make sure you wrap up warm if you are coming along!

Share this page with your friends and get down to The Scoop on Thursday for what we hope is going to be a huge celebration!

FIFA World Cup 2018 Announcement at The Scoop

Date: Thursday, 2nd December 2010

Time: 2.30pm – 3.00pm

Entry: free on a first come, first served basis

Venue:

The Scoop
The Queen’s Walk
More London
London SE1 2AA

http://www.london.gov.uk/event-meeting/2010/dec/join-us-scoop-fifa-world-cup-2018-announcement

http://cached.imagescaler.hbpl.co.uk/resize/scaleWidth/393/?sURL=http://offlinehbpl.hbpl.co.uk/News/OKM/9CBCA522-FF93-5C91-B631F0613ECE97AC.jpg

David Beckham has signed the official British Airways aircraft at Terminal 5 today, to support England's bid to host the 2018 Fifa World Cup.

BA is the official airline of the England 2018 bid and flies the team to Zurich today to hear Fifa announce the host nation on Thursday (2 December).

Beckham's signature sits alongside hundreds of names collected on an electronic board in Heathrow’s Terminal 5 during August's Back the Bid week.

The signatures include Rio Ferdinand, Fabio Capello, Bobby Zamora, Daniel Sturridge, Ray Clemence, Trevor Brooking, Gary Lineker, Stuart Pearce and Andy Anson.

Beckham said: "I'm extremely proud to be flying to Zurich to represent the England 2018 bid, and to be travelling with the hopes of the nation on this official aircraft.

"I hope that the next time I'm on British soil, I'll be with the winning England 2018 bid team."

BA will also fly the prime minister David Cameron and the culture minister Jeremy Hunt to Zurich as part of the bid.

Beckham said: "I'm extremely proud to be flying to Zurich to represent the England 2018 bid, and to be travelling with the hopes of the nation on this official aircraft.

"I hope that the next time I'm on British soil, I'll be with the winning England 2018 bid team."

I hope so too, if it means seeing the back of him for another 12 or 24 years. :lol:

I hope so too, if it means seeing the back of him for another 12 or 24 years. :lol:

lets just be glad that England has a person of the caliber of Beckham to lead the bid, imagine if he wasn't there, who would be sent instead? He has kept his life together unlike so many of England's footballers and he should be applauded for that alone.

Lets hope we get this World Cup.

Anyone think SJP has a chance of being a venue for games after the group stages if we do win?

FIFA looked dodgy mcdodge in that doco, corruption should be exposed and stamped out but at the same time that doco has killed Englands chances, you reckon the rest of the upstanding members of the board will want 8 years of that sort of scrutiny, don't bet on it.

The beeb effectively killed the bid, some would call it unpatriotic in it's timing, I'd have to agree, though I think the doco should be seen and heard. I think though that the Beeb knew it would sink the bid and thats self centred on their part considering it's not the English that are at fault here. If FIFA is the target then the Beeb took out an innocent party as well, massive collateral damage, so that was a poor decision and a poor outcome on the Beeb's part.

1. Goal.com is an unreliable source for info.

2. The UK bid, and press in general, would do well not to take pot shots at a very successful world cup in order to inflate theirs. If it wasn't for the horns, the 2010 world cup would have been hands down the best ever.

3. MysteryMike, I know you didn't write that, but that was a bit low IMO.

3. MysteryMike, I know you didn't write that, but that was a bit low IMO.

Perhaps you would like to have a chat to Amar Singh from goal, instead of myself, as I said I don't believe it was really a pot shot at any nation, it was a pot shot at FIFA for pushing nations into unrequired expenditures for their benefit and simply leaving afterwards.

FIFA looked dodgy mcdodge in that doco, corruption should be exposed and stamped out but at the same time that doco has killed Englands chances, you reckon the rest of the upstanding members of the board will want 8 years of that sort of scrutiny, don't bet on it.

The beeb effectively killed the bid, some would call it unpatriotic in it's timing, I'd have to agree, though I think the doco should be seen and heard. I think though that the Beeb knew it would sink the bid and thats self centred on their part considering it's not the English that are at fault here. If FIFA is the target then the Beeb took out an innocent party as well, massive collateral damage, so that was a poor decision and a poor outcome on the Beeb's part.

I don't think it has, I think the bid team have distanced themselves massively from the report and quite frankly the out cry that might follow should England not win the bid and particularly if Spain/Portugal win the bid, may twist the arms of the executive members to vote in England's favour.

The sooner the voting process is over and the WC has been awarded to Russia the better. Then all this cringeworthy stuff MysteryMike keeps on posting will stop. Have you got a Beckham bedspread Mike?

The sooner the voting process is over and the WC has been awarded to Russia the better. Then all this cringeworthy stuff MysteryMike keeps on posting will stop. Have you got a Beckham bedspread Mike?

That's funny Mr Adidas :lol:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/11/27/article-1089901-029C2A23000005DC-422_468x387.jpg

...

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/50197000/jpg/_50197597_graddon.jpg

ON THE eve of tomorrow's decision on who will host the 2018 World Cup, football-crazy primary school children have joined those pledging their support.

Pupils at Pilgrim Primary school said they were excited at the thought of seeing some of the world's biggest stars grace the turf at nearby Home Park.

Plymouth is one of 12 host cities England is putting forward as part of its case for holding the tournament, though the winner must wait until 2013 to find out which venues have made the final list.

The country faces stiff competition from front-runners Russia and Spain/Portugal, as well as fellow bidders Holland/Belgium.

Media reports linking alleged corruption to football's world governing body FIFA are feared to have damaged the country's chances, despite a report by bid inspectors showing England has the strongest case.

Children at Pilgrim Primary were united in saying the country – and in particular Plymouth – would be the perfect place for sport's biggest spectacle to take place.

When the 2018 tournament kicks off Amelia and her school friends will be approaching 18 years of age.

The ten-year-old Chelsea supporter said: "Thinking about eight years' time is scary.

"But I would definitely go to watch it – my dad would probably take me by the hands and make me go anyway!"

Jack, aged nine, said it was "really exciting" to think Plymouth could be a step closer to securing top-class football in just a few days' time.

"My favourite player is Fernando Torres," he said. "Hopefully he will still be playing because I'd love to see him in real life."

Nagina, 10, said she watched lots of World Cup matches on television when the tournament was held in South Africa this summer. "It would be good to see all the big players here," she said. "I hope England do better though!"

Ten-year-old Ryan, a big David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo fan, agreed.

He said: "Just imagine bumping into one of them in Plymouth!

"It's kind of surprising the World Cup could be here but I would like to go to it."

Budding goalkeeper Cameron, also ten, said he would love to strap on his football boots and play in the tournament itself.

"I definitely think they should choose England," he added.

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/School-children-cheer-World-Cup-chance/article-2956281-detail/article.html

ZURICH: World Cups held in England and the United States would meet all of FIFA's projected revenue targets and deliver bigger profits to world soccer's governing body than any of their competitors, according to a confidential report.

Both England, who are bidding for the 2018 finals, and the US, bidding for 2022, were given an unbeatable overall 100 percent rating by management consultants McKinsey.

McKinsey were commissioned by FIFA to analyses each bid across five key revenue streams: sponsorship, ticketing, hospitality, licensing and media rights.

The report, which does not reveal FIFA's projected target figure, just each country's potential to meet it, has been sent to the 22 FIFA members who will decide the destinations of the two World Cups on Thursday.

It will be discussed by the executive committee for the first time on Wednesday.

The report, entitled FIFA's World Cup Host Candidate Assessment, gave England an overall 100 percent rating for 2018, followed by Spain/Portugal with 91 percent, Netherlands/Belgium 87 percent and Russia 86 percent.

For 2022, it rated the United States top with an overall 100 percent evaluation, followed by Japan with 73 percent, South Korea 71 percent, Qatar 70 percent, and Australia on 68 percent.

HIGHEST REVENUE POTENTIAL

England scored 100 percent in all five of the revenue stream areas, while the United States scored 100 percent in four.

All the European candidates for 2018 scored 100 percent in media rights because McKinsey did not see a variation in revenue potential as all countries fall into the same European time zone for broadcasting matches.

The biggest difference in any 2018 revenue stream came in hospitality in which England again scored 100 percent and Russia 56 percent.

England also had the highest revenue potential in licensing and merchandising, likely to hit 100 percent of its target figure, while Netherlands/Belgium scored 73 percent.

The report comes as a huge boost to England's bid for 2018 in particular, following the BBC's Panorama TV programme screened on Monday evening in the United Kingdom which alleged corruption at the head of world soccer's governing body.

The McKinsey report comes after the publication of FIFA's Technical Evaluation reports following the visit of its inspectors in which England were also given the highest rating by the inspection team.

Andy Anson, the chief executive of England's bid campaign, told a media briefing on Monday that the team had been encouraged by the report, without going into the details.

"FIFA gave us a very strong technical evaluation. FIFA have now had an economic study and England comes out way ahead of its competitors in that study, and we clearly have the strongest bid for 2018 -- its the perfect foundation.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/08OWeQZ6iVaAf/610x.jpg

1. Goal.com is an unreliable source for info.

2. The UK bid, and press in general, would do well not to take pot shots at a very successful world cup in order to inflate theirs. If it wasn't for the horns, the 2010 world cup would have been hands down the best ever.

3. MysteryMike, I know you didn't write that, but that was a bit low IMO.

I have to disagree.

South Africa did a great job. Good stadiums. Fantastic enthusiasm and welcome from locals. But there were issues - none of which were South Africa's fault.

Firstly, the ticket shambles which led to many empty seats over the duration of the tournament. FIFA fucked up badly.

Secondly, the ball. Another FIFA fuck up, with the help of adidas. It meant that most of the world's great creative players consistently underperformed - even the eventual winners, Spain.

Lastly, team tactics. Too many countries resorted to 4-5-1, ultra defensive formations in a bid to stifle the creative and attacking threat of superior opposition. It's a great leveller and led to some surprising results. But it didn't make for great spectacle.

In terms of the quality of entertainment on the pitch, this was one of the poorest ever World Cups.

That's funny Mr Adidas :lol:

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/11/27/article-1089901-029C2A23000005DC-422_468x387.jpg

A grown man plowing through google images of David Beckham. Creepy.

I have to disagree.

South Africa did a great job. Good stadiums. Fantastic enthusiasm and welcome from locals. But there were issues - none of which were South Africa's fault.

Firstly, the ticket shambles which led to many empty seats over the duration of the tournament. FIFA fucked up badly.

Secondly, the ball. Another FIFA fuck up, with the help of adidas. It meant that most of the world's great creative players consistently underperformed - even the eventual winners, Spain.

Lastly, team tactics. Too many countries resorted to 4-5-1, ultra defensive formations in a bid to stifle the creative and attacking threat of superior opposition. It's a great leveller and led to some surprising results. But it didn't make for great spectacle.

In terms of the quality of entertainment on the pitch, this was one of the poorest ever World Cups.

MATCH aka Blatter's nephew created a false sense of an "accommodatin shortage" by signing up rooms, and then releasing thousands and thousands just before the WC, resulting in many disappointed fans and establishments.

FIFA: not balancing demand and supply. One of them being that demand in CT meant that many misssed out, since there was no second venue, while NMB stadium had poor attendances, but was allocated 8 matches due to it being Jordaan's hometown.
Maximize the use of the urban centres. NMB even had more matches than Durban.

A grown man plowing through google images of David Beckham. Creepy.

this was the superb ad video for the 60 years celebrating adidas!

it was fabulous with the "beggin" track by francky valli
:banana:

qTuHeH8ct0o

where is the link for england presentation?

The only problem with quatar is their position .The middle east is sadly known... This is the only chance for england to win!

I 'm sure some bank accounts are fullfilled all over the world for 208 persons...

Russia has all for that but they are not alone.

The Brum fans did us proud tonight :lol:

Those images of fans invading the pitch and throwing flares and seats at each other will be flashed around the world tomorrow and I'm sure FIFA will enjoy them.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/dec/01/violence-aston-villa-birmingham


:cheers:

I don't think FIFA will care but by all means you can jack off to them for the next 20 years.

^ quote of the day there :D

Well into the last straight now, fingers crossed - hopefully the presentation will go well but I've got a feeling like the IOC by now they have all made the minds up on their first, second, third choice bids...

Come on England! You guys are OVERDUE for a world cup!

The only think that is mystery about "Mystery Mike" is his sexual orientation. :lol:

Infraction.

That's funny coming from some one with a rainbow in their avatar :lol: I think we all know your sexual orientation from the day that you turned up, shame it's mixed with such racist bigotry. Why don't you go and do what you best, rimming qatarson or is it qatarson 333 or waqif or mmm. Either way I hope he pays you well.

Infraction.

Sky Sports News are already showing a piece about....wait for it....yep you guessed it....the '66 World Cup. And people wonder why many are against this England bid. They haven't even won the bid yet but the constant '66 references are happening. Everyone I know who is into football hate the '66 overkill. It is mind-numbing. Imagine 8 years of this stuff :cry::wallbash:

If you don't like what they are reporting it is your choice to ignore it. You can turn your TV off you know.

Well said; ignore our resident grumpy old man. As I said, God forbid people should be excited at the prospect of a world cup in England eh?!

If you don't like what they are reporting it is your choice to ignore it. You can turn your TV off you know.



That's not the point though is it? The German media don't do this, and God knows if any European media are entitled too then it's the Germans, it is just our pathetic journalists. If we win this bid they will then move on to us being favourites to win it. It is all nonsense. England didn't have a prayer of winning the World Cup earlier this year, the team just isn't good enough, but our media had them down as being one of the favourites and then when we duly failed the backlash happened. It was the journalists who put them as one of the contenders to start with. YCMIU.

You will not be able to get away from this crap if England win the bid. it will be everywhere. :bash:

Seriously, you're getting boring now.

Seriously, you're getting boring now.

It's simple. Don't read it if you don't want to see it :lol:

You really are a plonker.

Infraction.

Mo do you know if South African TV is showing the announcement live?

Probably. I'm listening in on i-phone

ENGLAND BIDDING - JOKER.! They were using Some DIRTY premier league stadium's.! Don't Worry ENGLISH FANS .. They should watch Premier league Every year.!

England defeat in First Round what a joker :lol::lol::lol:

CONGRATS RUSSIA.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha,arrogant English pricks !! Well done Birmingham City!!!

Classy.

There is such a thing as a graceless winner. I see we have two already.

Pricks?

F**k off you self centred people. How a bid with 'High Risk' won I don't know, we all know corruption was behind Russia's win.

England couldn't have done much more tbh, it's a joke.

ENGLAND BIDDING - JOKER.! They were using Some DIRTY premier league stadium's.! Don't Worry ENGLISH FANS .. They should watch Premier league Every year.!

England defeat in First Round what a joker :lol::lol::lol:

CONGRATS RUSSIA.

the biggest joke is youre from India:lol:Heres a grain of rice for you to scribble on what india has given the Football world on you knobhead,Stick to kabbadi ya jealous muppet.

We were fighting a losing battle from the off, despite having the best technical bid it's now pretty clear that Fifa is only interested in Football virgin Nations, South Africa 2010, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022. It's BS how our greatest strengths ended up being our greatest weakness. I.E being a developed football country with an existing passion for football. Thanks to the clowns at Fifa several generations of people in England will never get the chance to see a World cup on home soil, which is criminal for a nation that has done so much for this sport. Alan Shearer put on a gracious face during his interview with the BBC but you know he was thinking exactly the same as me.

Good luck to African teams traveling to Russia in 2018, they will need it. I'm sure 2022 will be full of passion too, with only rich part time pawn sandwich fans attending games, wont be many real fans about though. Well done Fifa, bravo!

the biggest joke is youre from India:lol:Heres a grain of rice for you to scribble on what india has given the Football world on you knobhead,Stick to kabbadi ya jealous muppet.
Someone ban this troll FFS

England got two, yes two, votes in the 1st round :lol:

England got two, yes two, votes in the 1st round :lol:

:lol:

Russia has a lot of money but i didn't imagine at this point !

England got two, yes two, votes in the 1st round :lol:

More of an insult to the integrity of Fifa than it is to England. No wonder Fifa made an attempt to hide the votes cast prior to the announcement. It's about time Fifa had someone to answer to.

More of an insult to the integrity of Fifa than it is to England. No wonder Fifa made an attempt to hide the votes cast prior to the announcement. It's about time Fifa had someone to answer to.

I didn't want England to win but I wasn't laughing at Englands expense about the two votes. I was laughing at the blatant corruption of FIFA. The Qatar result shows they have no shame.

Only two words are suitable for England Foremers at this time..............Oh! My God......What has Happened ....and FUCK FIFA...:ohno::ohno:

Well, will there be an inquest?

England have the Stadiums, Transport, Hotel, Airports, One time zone all this stuff,

Russia on the other hand, have different time zones, they need stadiums, they need to make accomodation, not the attractive of the places to visit if im truly honest, but i do wish them bst, yees im upset we lost but i will give them the best of luck

Well, will there be an inquest?

England have the Stadiums, Transport, Hotel, Airports, One time zone all this stuff,

Russia on the other hand, have different time zones, they need stadiums, they need to make accomodation, not the attractive of the places to visit if im truly honest, but i do wish them bst, yees im upset we lost but i will give them the best of luck

Apparently we don't deserve to host a world cup because the infrastructure, Stadiums, Passion and fan-base is already their. :nuts:

Maybe once Fifa have finally done a full circle in giving every single country a world cup in what is now a 4 year circus bandwagon. We will be allowed to host another world cup, might be a few thousand years mind you.

rage:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3257057/Fury-as-England-misses-World-Cup.html

the biggest joke is youre from India:lol:Heres a grain of rice for you to scribble on what india has given the Football world on you knobhead,Stick to kabbadi ya jealous muppet.

I don't care what u talk about INDIA.? what This country do and who will run this country.? that is matter.!

Check this video.! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbQ8GnGrgKs

This is why Russia deserved win to host 2018 wc.!

England got two, yes two, votes in the 1st round :lol:

2 votes out of 22 members.! WTF.! GOD SAVE QUEEN.!

Apparently we don't deserve to host a world cup because the infrastructure, Stadiums, Passion and fan-base is already their. :nuts:

Maybe once Fifa have finally done a full circle in giving every single country a world cup in what is now a 4 year circus bandwagon. We will be allowed to host another world cup, might be a few thousand years mind you.

Yeah, well its a bit stupid to be honest, they say that there trying to have new countries to host the world cup yet, Brazil has hosted it before, Mexico has hosted it a few times and all that and we have onlly hosted it once, 40 years ago

They deserve naff all if you ask me, the bid has huge issues to sort out, England was polished off.

the biggest joke is youre from India:lol:Heres a grain of rice for you to scribble on what india has given the Football world on you knobhead,Stick to kabbadi ya jealous muppet.

I like Kabbadi, they used to show it on C4, I think UK entered a team at the last world championships.

Anyway, chill out if you don't want a ban.

Yeah, well its a bit stupid to be honest, they say that there trying to have new countries to host the world cup yet, Brazil has hosted it before, Mexico has hosted it a few times and all that and we have onlly hosted it once, 40 years ago

64 years by 2030, I don't think the fact that we hosted a world cup in 1966 should count against us, only a small minority of people who are still around today can claim to have remembered a world cup on home soil. IMO we were the most deserving nation to host the 2018 WC but clearly not in Fifa's eyes, not by a long shot.

2 votes out of 22 members.! WTF.! GOD SAVE QUEEN.!

And one of those votes was Englands own vote from our own Geoff Thompson, so in truth England got one vote :lol:

Time for this thread to be locked now I think; it's attracting graceless winners like flies around horseshit.

See you all in Russia and Qatar.

Yeah, well its a bit stupid to be honest, they say that there trying to have new countries to host the world cup yet, Brazil has hosted it before, Mexico has hosted it a few times and all that and we have onlly hosted it once, 40 years ago

Dear 1950 world cup in brazil.! It was 13 teams.! last world cup hosted in south america 1978.!

1984 - spain
1986 - Mexico (It was sole bid)
1990 - italy
1994 - USA
1998 - France
2002 - Japan/Korea
2006 - Germany (First time host as united germany .. 1974 - west germany)
2010 - South Africa (First in african continent)
2014 - Brazil (It was sole bid, no other bid)

U shud know fact.!