All Quiet on the Eastern Front

[Barkly St End]

As the FFA leads a bunch of FIFA dignatories through their whistle stop tour of Eastern Australia, I am puzzled by some pertinent matters.

Yesterday I read that despite the fact that the FIFA dignatories come equipped with their own mobile media office, the FFA has deemed them off limits to our own press, with all media releases coming through the FFA.

As reported by FourFourTwo: Media silenced as FIFA arrive.


There will be no nasty questions directed at the FIFA delegates, thank you very much!

Here's another interesting aspect, both the PM and opposition leader met with the FIFA delegates.

No surprise there, except here we are in the middle of an election campaign, and neither of them is making a big song and dance about it.

There's no: I'm 100% behind the bid; this will put Australia on the map and be the making of this country; a zillion tourists will visit us and underpin our economic prosperity for the remainder of the millenium; we will spend billions of dollars on infrastructure, etc.

No, nothing.

If I didn't know any better, it's a case of: don't mention the war.

 

[FutbolAustralia]

Based on recent disgraceful events from a handful in the media e.g The Age, did you not expect this?

 

[Michael2010]

As the FFA leads a bunch of FIFA dignatories through their whistle stop tour of Eastern Australia, I am puzzled by some pertinent matters.

Yesterday I read that despite the fact that the FIFA dignatories come equipped with their own mobile media office, the FFA has deemed them off limits to our own press, with all media releases coming through the FFA.

As reported by FourFourTwo: Media silenced as FIFA arrive.


There will be no nasty questions directed at the FIFA delegates, thank you very much!

Here's another interesting aspect, both the PM and opposition leader met with the FIFA delegates.

No surprise there, except here we are in the middle of an election campaign, and neither of them is making a big song and dance about it.

There's no: I'm 100% behind the bid; this will put Australia on the map and be the making of this country; a zillion tourists will visit us and underpin our economic prosperity for the remainder of the millenium; we will spend billions of dollars on infrastructure, etc.

No, nothing.

If I didn't know any better, it's a case of: don't mention the war.

I was more shocked Julia Gillard didn't comment on the Aker situation, considering the FFA have issued a press release crackdown where as the AFL haven't. Oh oh wait wait must be the whole backstabbing situation right right. Or is it something else? mmm

 

[Footy Smarts]

Here's another interesting aspect, both the PM and opposition leader met with the FIFA delegates.

No surprise there, except here we are in the middle of an election campaign, and neither of them is making a big song and dance about it.

There's no: I'm 100% behind the bid; this will put Australia on the map and be the making of this country; a zillion tourists will visit us and underpin our economic prosperity for the remainder of the millenium; we will spend billions of dollars on infrastructure, etc.

No, nothing.

If I didn't know any better, it's a case of: don't mention the war.

When was the last time something with bipartisan support got a big run during the election campaign? As you might have noticed from the leaked photo of Rob Hulls' whiteboard, parties try to differentiate themselves from each other. What's the point of both parties coming out and saying that they're fully behind the bid when they've already said it? It's also not as though it's a huge point in the bid. It's another necessary step in the process but it's not as though these dignitaries are hugely important. No big photo ops here so it's hardly going to be a big issue. Kate Ellis was on TV saying her stuff and that's about all that needs to be said at this stage. It still got decent coverage on every major news broadcast.

The fact is if it was that politically bad to support the bid neither side would. The majority of Australians are supportive of the bid hence both sides being behind it.

 

[Michael2010]

Yeah it's Kate Ellis who's with the FIFA inspectors and what a person to have with them. She's been all over foxsports. Loving it

 

[Barkly St End]

When was the last time something with bipartisan support got a big run during the election campaign? As you might have noticed from the leaked photo of Rob Hulls' whiteboard, parties try to differentiate themselves from each other. What's the point of both parties coming out and saying that they're fully behind the bid when they've already said it? It's also not as though it's a huge point in the bid. It's another necessary step in the process but it's not as though these dignitaries are hugely important. No big photo ops here so it's hardly going to be a big issue. Kate Ellis was on TV saying her stuff and that's about all that needs to be said at this stage. It still got decent coverage on every major news broadcast.

The fact is if it was that politically bad to support the bid neither side would. The majority of Australians are supportive of the bid hence both sides being behind it.

Absolutely no one is making a big song and dance about it - in the middle of an election campaign!

Isn't it meant to be big news?? You wouldn't think so!

But each party is trying to impress that they are going to get the budget back into surplus.

Aah - now we're starting to get to the truth of the matter....

 

[Watergate]

...No, nothing.

If I didn't know any better, it's a case of: don't mention the war.

Now haven't all of you from the anti-WC brigade being shouting - no one in Australia wants the WC?

Surely, if this were true, either the PM or opposition leader would have joined you in shouting ... "we don't want the WC", which - according to you - would placate "the alleged majority of Aussies" who oppose the WC.

The fact there is bipartisan support for the WC clearly indicates both parties have crunched the numbers and the result is the same ...

it's much more politically expedient to "piss off" the anti-WC brigade, who are an insignificant and impotent minority group comprising mainly AFL administrators, fans and analysts; than to annoy the pro-WC fans, who are in the majority!

 

[Michael2010]

Absolutely no one is making a big song and dance about it - in the middle of an election campaign!

Isn't it meant to be big news?? You wouldn't think so!

But each party is trying to impress that they are going to get the budget back into surplus.

Aah - now we're starting to get to the truth of the matter....

what truth? the truth that Australia will benefit from the world cup? yeah, the fact is there isn't anything to differentiate them on the world cup bid. Both of them back it, both parties support it and frankly what are they going to say oh I support it more than her or him? Get off your high horse buddy, you got no clue what so ever. Sounding more desperate every moment.

 

[AJ_2000]

Not surprised after the stunt the Age pulled with its BS story.

A very, very smart move by the FFA to prevent people with their own agenda's making the country look like a pack ungrateful world game haters.

 

[Barkly St End]

Not surprised after the stunt the Age pulled with its BS story.

A very, very smart move by the FFA to prevent people with their own agenda's making the country look like a pack ungrateful world game haters.

That's not the way things normally work in a country with a free press.

I guess the FFA viewed open access to the delegates as being "unhelpful".

 

[AJ_2000]

That's not the way things normally work in a country with a free press.

I guess the FFA viewed open access to the delegates as being "unhelpful".

Playing it safe/smart for sure.

People are free to write what the like about the FIFA visit (providing its true of course), but we need to remember that they are here to grill us about our abilities to host the worlds biggest show, not on a promotional tour about FIFA and selling us the World Cup.

Mind you, every country they visit they always come out with the same quotes "XXXXX has a good bid", "XXXX has some great ideas" "XXXX has impressed us" - Expect to read them on Friday - they never rubbish a bid, no matter how little chance the country has.

 

[Pessimistic]

Given the latest Etihad dramas this week. looks like the FFA bid dodged a bullet by being denied use of etihad.

Also quoted the sofitel in melbourne would be FIFA HQ during a world cup - a hint that the final may be at the MCG ?

 

[AJ_2000]

Interesting story from WFI about the tour:

http://www.worldfootballinsider.com/Story.aspx?id=33573

The decision to deny media representatives access to FIFA officials is understood to have come after recent allegations raised by The Age newspaper against Australia’s bid team, later discredited by the Australian Government, the FFA and FIFA.

"FIFA have informed FFA that the FIFA Delegation visit is exclusively for the purpose of inspecting stadiums and other critical infrastructure and therefore members of the delegation will not be available for interview during their visit," said the FFA.


Also it goes on to quote in the story that the cost for stadia upgrades and construction is 2.55 Billion US dollars - ($2.9 Billion AU). So just over 10% of the $26b cost being floated.

 

[Stevie80]

That's not the way things normally work in a country with a free press.

I guess the FFA viewed open access to the delegates as being "unhelpful".

You do realise that the FIFA delegates are not allowed to make any comment, positive or negative, about what they have seen in regards to the FFA bid. They need to assess all bids before they could make a comment, and commenting now about how good or bad the aussie bid is would lead to claims of biased support for/against the bid. No conspiracy there, as much as you would love to believe there is.

 

[Zidane98]

BSE go and get a health checkup mate, you are seeing conspiracy theories behind any little tidbit of news regarding our World Cup bid. Should we win the bid, i'll come and visit you in whatever psychiatric hospital you end up in, such will be the effect on your life if Australia succeeds.

 

[Dimenhydrinate]

Yes, give the Herald Sun the chance to ask questions to the FIFA delegates. I can see it now...

"Do you know that sokkah sucks and everybody in the world should play AFL? Also, please change your name to FISokkah, only the AFL may use the word 'football'."

 

[Michael2010]

You do realise that the FIFA delegates are not allowed to make any comment, positive or negative, about what they have seen in regards to the FFA bid. They need to assess all bids before they could make a comment, and commenting now about how good or bad the aussie bid is would lead to claims of biased support for/against the bid. No conspiracy there, as much as you would love to believe there is.

Exactly FIFA are basically not allowed to say much at all anyway

 

[Barkly St End]

You do realise that the FIFA delegates are not allowed to make any comment, positive or negative, about what they have seen in regards to the FFA bid. They need to assess all bids before they could make a comment, and commenting now about how good or bad the aussie bid is would lead to claims of biased support for/against the bid. No conspiracy there, as much as you would love to believe there is.

You are sort of right.

For instance, the FFA issued a media release quoting a discussion between one FIFA rep and Michael Beauchamp.

The FIFA rep asked Beauchamp how much atmosphere the MCG generated (given it's a massive stadium), and according to the FFA release, Beauchamp simply said that the MCG was one of the World's greatest stadiums.

That's all that was quoted, but was done is such a way that it was obvious a fair bit had been cut, and the usual spin applied.

There is a clear disconnect between the original question and Beauchamp's answer.

This gives you the real reason why the Press has been cut out completely - they would have quoted the full answer!

 

[Barkly St End]

Yes, give the Herald Sun the chance to ask questions to the FIFA delegates. I can see it now...

"Do you know that sokkah sucks and everybody in the world should play AFL? Also, please change your name to FISokkah, only the AFL may use the word 'football'."

Firstly, let us recall that it's the Age that has been running the recent stories about the bid, not the Hun - and the Age is one of MV's major sponsors.

Secondly, even if any member of the Press wanted to run such a line of questioning, giving the delegates an inkling that we aren't a soccer mad country afterall, isn't that a good thing for the delgation to uncover?

It's better they know that upfront rather than they give us the WC on false pretences (like pretending that soccer controls Etihad, for example).

I wonder if they took note that barely anyone has been attending the so-called Festival of Football?

 

[Checker Hughes]

Firstly, let us recall that it's the Age that has been running the recent stories about the bid, not the Hun - and the Age is one of MV's major sponsors.

Secondly, even if any member of the Press wanted to run such a line of questioning, giving the delegates an inkling that we aren't a soccer mad country afterall, isn't that a good thing for the delgation to uncover?

It's better they know that upfront rather than they give us the WC on false pretences (like pretending that soccer controls Etihad, for example).

I wonder if they took note that barely anyone watched Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide in Darwin

fixed

 

[FutbolAustralia]

I wonder if they took note that barely anyone has been attending the so-called Festival of Football?

Lets put this one into perspective. A pre-season "friendly" game in Sydney for the NRL, would struggle to attract 1000 people, with two Sydney teams.

Between shocking kick-off times (12:45pm smack bang in the middle of local football competition times) and bucketing rain in Sydney all day/night yesterday, it hasn't been as bad as it could of been.

Not to mention once again, the usual lack of media coverage here in Sydney for non-competition friendly games. If you physically did not search for coverage, you would not know the games were on in Sydney.

What I will say is, anyone attending these games so far is loving it, and the atmosphere has been fantastic and very vocal.

 

[mojito]

All these pre season events are great, but someone needs to get serious regarding scheduling.

Had the FoF started a week or two earlier, attendances would have been greater.

Even if they kept matches to Friday/Saturday/Sunday, more people would have probably attended.

 

[Watergate]

...and the Age is one of MV's major sponsors.

The Melbourne Age was one of MV's sponsors. They are no longer partners and, as an MVFC supporter, I'm more than happy that we are no longer associated with such a media outlet.

 

[Barkly St End]

All these pre season events are great, but someone needs to get serious regarding scheduling.

Had the FoF started a week or two earlier, attendances would have been greater.

Even if they kept matches to Friday/Saturday/Sunday, more people would have probably attended.

A week later, a week earlier, a month later, a month earlier, weekend, weekday, nighttime, morning time, bed time, it doesn't matter, I could have told the promoters a long, long time ago that bugger all people would show up to watch these teams.

 

[Barkly St End]

fixed

Yet, as many turned up to watch that one game in Darwin as three or four Festival of Football games combined (all in Sydney).

And these are some of the biggest clubs in the world - the honest truth is - no one down under is interested!!

Or as Timmy Cahill said: one of the biggest Premier League clubs in the World.