Didn't say it had helped us, I merely denounced your assertion that the BBC were dimwits for airing the documentary. And you are wrong to suggest that if England hadn't been bidding they wouldn't have been bothered, as I said Jennings has been banging on about it for ages.

Another point (from a FIFA perspective):

The world cup is the only comp they organise that makes a profit. Moving out into relatively unchartered territory like Russia will be potentially far more lucrative for them (as an organisation). The English market will make them an enormous amount of money whether England hosts the world cup or not.

The assumption that certain committee members will be rewarded for their faith in the Russian bid goes without saying. The opportunity for reward would doubtless have been considerably less in the UK.

Even when the Swiss Napoleon eventually pops his clogs, the punters they have lined up to succeed him are at best just as bad. You won't see a world cup in England in your lifetime, mate (unless you can remember 1966).

they may play them in closed air conditioned stadiums



this will be the best chance for an African nation to win the world cup

After this news today, I wouldn't be shocked if someone told me the Rugby League were going to bail out Crusaders and let them stay in Super League..............

I was 1 - and even I don't think I'm that clever!

3 words - expansionist ruling body - where have we heard those before? It's a tried and tested policy.

FIFA scrutinised the bids for us and wrote some nice reports [urlhttp://www.fifa.com/worldcup/bidders/organisation/documents/index.html[/url. You only need to read the summary to see that there are problems with the Russian bid. The fact that their transportation is rubbish and the only viable way of going between venues will be by air (they've got to improve the airports first though!) seems to have been ignored.

Apart for a feel good factor , how much do these events benifit the population of the country which hosts them ? The cost usually is many times more than first estimated, which results in the public purse being robbed. thereby taking money away from other worthy events.

Sepp Blatter was asked "Who is your favourite Qatar player?" He replied "Eric Clapton!"
from Falko Roos via Chortle.co.uk

www.leedsunited.com/news/2010120 ... 85_2236291 im not a big fan of bates but you have just got to admire the bloke that he will speak out if he feels their is a misjustice.its just a shame there arnt any chairman like him in rugby he would ruffle some feathers.

www.leedsunited.com/news/2010120 ... 85_2236291 im not a big fan of bates but you have just got to admire the bloke that he will speak out if he feels their is a misjustice.its just a shame there arnt any chairman like him in rugby he would ruffle some feathers.

Bates is miffed because he was probably counting on the WC funding to develop Elland Road, nothing more.

Apparently FIFA have awarded Russia the royal wedding.

The whole game probably needs what 5,000 odd FC Schalke 04 fans in the German league did. Boycotted an away game (Borussia Dortmund ?) because the ticket prices went up. (From £13 to £22

)

Won't catch on tho', and Rooniesque wages will continue to be paid by the peasants.