TheGunnShow 5,985 Posted November 2, 2023 Looking like it's another nouveau riche First World country with a second-rate national team and Third World morals getting the sport's biggest jamboree again... Do I hear "sportswashing" again? Just like Russia and Qatar???Saudi Arabian World Cup in 2034 sparks ‘significant concern’ from major leagues | The Independent 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barham Blitz 654 Posted November 2, 2023 Sportswashing is one thing. This entire process was an absolute stitch up from the outset. Potential hosts were given 25 days notice of a 31st of October deadline by FIFA to decide whether they will bid for a world cup which is 12 years away. Saudi Arabia confirmed their bid within minutes of the announcement. No wonder Australia decided against bidding. What would be the point - particularly after their last bid lost out to Qatar. Barney Ronay wrote a mildly amusing article in The Guardian pointing out that the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia would effectively be paid for by amount of extra oil sold as a result of the air miles being racked up by the 2030 World Cup being held in six countries (Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay) across three continents (Europe, Africa and South America ...) The whole thing is corrupt beyond belief. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Raptor 1,231 Posted November 2, 2023 Does it also mean it's another winter cup then because of the heat? Another season messed up... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shefcanary 2,444 Posted November 2, 2023 8 minutes ago, The Raptor said: Does it also mean it's another winter cup then because of the heat? Another season messed up... Ah come on, Football is going to be a summer sport in the UK before much longer, despite Climate Change. 🙂 We'll all be inside watching Ice Hockey and Basketball in the winter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Raptor 1,231 Posted November 2, 2023 Suits me fine. I love basketball! Let's go raptors! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canary73 160 Posted November 2, 2023 The whole thing needs reform. It hasn't been a 'world' cup for decades. It has taken until 2026 for Oceana to get a direct qualification spot instead of a playoff. There are still regions of the world that have yet to see representation (India, Aus/NZ) and some in some cases (England, Sweden) it will be 2038 before they can bid. With Russia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia amongst the latest winning bidders the thing is corrupt beyond belief. It would be good if UEFA said, we wont send any representatives. I was in Denmark for the last World Cup and despite their awful showing they couldn't show any protest against the Qatari's attitude to Human Rights and LGBTQ+. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheGunnShow 5,985 Posted November 2, 2023 Corruption check needed. It stinks to high heaven, but suspicions are not evidence. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man 3,845 Posted November 2, 2023 This time round, Saudi Arabia got the World Cup as no other country offered a bid, so brown envelopes weren't needed like they were when Qatar won it. Whether that's because the other interested bidders, mainly Australia, suspected it was a foregone conclusion or not, we'll never know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daly 507 Posted November 2, 2023 (edited) 8 hours ago, The Raptor said: Does it also mean it's another winter cup then because of the heat? Another season messed up... Won’t affect Div One and Two Is it affect or effect, Edited November 2, 2023 by daly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
