Qatar had 11 votes in the first round. That means that 11 members had been convinced that it was sensible to host the worlds biggest sporting event in this tiny country in sweltering in 50 degree heat. 11 members decided to completely ignore the concerns raised in FIFAs own technical report. THe amount of money that the Qataris were throwing around must be staggering.
Ben Buckley could have walked into the final presentation holding hands with Vlad, Gallop and a topless Elle Macpherson. It would not have made a difference. In hindsight we could never have won this bid. Could anyone have beaten this bid? We just don't have that amount of cash to throw around.
THe latest from Foxsports news (an emotional Andy Harper so I'm not sure of the reliability) is that Qatar are going to attempt to move the world cup to January to avoid the heat. Given the events of today, this previously unthinkable idea would not surprise me at all. Screw that I want to see them fulfil the promise to air condition open roofed stadiums.
I'm also looking forward to them bringing peace to the middle east.
What an interesting few days. At least with this bid done, the FFA can starting putting some focus on the A League (some basic promotion and a sensible fixture would be a good start).
Given Australia came stone motherless last, knocked out in Rnd 1 with 1 vote - - - Australia was therefore beaten by the FIELD, and not just Qatar.
That Qatar got 11 votes in Rnd 1 and ultimately won illustrates rather well that :
A - 'no worries' just seriously doesn't cut it on the world stage
B - that Qatar was well 'sold' (or 'bought') from the outset
C - that when talking about a FIFA WC being worth 95% of FIFA's 4 yearly revenue, point A is reinforced
D - that whilst we may not think much of Qatar, it IS however part of the Middle EAst, and that region is MASSIVE in respect to Europe/Asia/Africa and world relations.
E - and for all that we may think it too hot there - - that region, and harsh climates are home to millions and millions,
F - and perhaps winter in Australia wasn't that appealling.
What MUST be very, very clear - - even to the mungbeans like Craig Foster - - is that the AFL and NRL will have had nothing to do with it.
Afterall, the FIFA technical report made zero mention of the Govts MOU and rival codes,
and when I say 'zero mention' - I mean it (look at the FIFA tech document and the 'current use' of stadia would mention cricket, soccer and that was it - - Australian Football and Rugby League had dropped off the face of the planet,..........which reminds me of something David Gallop said almost a year to the day ago when he rejected the FFA's resched proposals (commenting the support couldn't come at any cost).
So, from that perspective - - perhaps a lot of people got pushed to the point by the pro-soccer whining such that pleasure might (sadly) be taken in the pain of others.