Australia's bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup

[midfielder]

I found Uncle Frank's comments about not needing the AFL interesting.

I can see the original bid book going in with upgrades to

MCG
Newcastle
Homebush
SFS
Brisbane
Townsville

and flatpacks in

Adelaide
OASIS or Blacktown  
Canberra
Perth

Total cost around $1.5Billion

Then other proposed stadiums may be built with pressure on the relative state governments if they want a larger slice of the pie. Multiuse stadiums in Adelaide, Perth and the Carrara to be largely funded by the state governments as they ultimately cater more for AFL could be used by those states if they want to garner more games.

The grounds are already locked in.. unless they can be unlocked after the bid..

But new AFL grounds in Perth , Adelaide, Geelong & Carrara (Carrara is also helped by the Commonwealth Games bid) plus and upgrade to the MCG.. So 5 AFL grounds being used

The AFL will not allow a rectangular 50 K stadium to be built in Melbourne have done a huge amount with state and federal governments  to ensure no competition ..

RL will get and share with Football... North Qld, Suncorp, Aussie, Homebush, Newcastle..  RL grounds

Football will get ... Blacktown & Canberra..but will share Canberra... plus football will have about 50 fields greatly upgraded for WC teams to train at. This is two football grounds...

FIFA may play it very clever and only use 8 grounds ... 8 groups .. plus finals on the same grounds...

I hope against hope that they do only use 8 grounds and apply some pressure to WA gov to re submit and build a rectangular stadium for Football, RU & RL (RL going back to Perth in 2013)


My eight would be

Nth QLD

Suncorp

Newcastle

Homebush

Blacktown

Canberra

MCG

Then Perth hopefully a rectangular ground...

Its only over the last two to three years That I have seen how much the AFL get themselves into very good deals by playing very clever political games with State Governments ... and how much they attack football..

 

[FFC Mariner]

Can I suggest a range of FTT merchandise to help fund the WC bid?

 

[MrCelery]

I'm sick of all this: "There's room for all codes" bullshit from FFA and football in general. When have AFL or NRL ever played fair with grounds, media, etc.?

Football has for years been bullied into substandard deals that are not befitting of the power of the world game, simply because many Australian's just don't grasp the disproportionate nature of the over-hyped local minor football codes.

It's time FFA and football said "f**k you" and come out swinging. It's time football used it's incredible weight without the 'kid gloves' and knock AFL and NRL back to being minor insignificant sports, which on the world stage they really are.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Post of the week.

 

[Arabmariner]

I'm sick of all this: "There's room for all codes" bullshit from FFA and football in general. When have AFL or NRL ever played fair with grounds, media, etc.?

Football has for years been bullied into substandard deals that are not befitting of the power of the world game, simply because many Australian's just don't grasp the disproportionate nature of the over-hyped local minor football codes.

It's time FFA and football said "f**k you" and come out swinging. It's time football used it's incredible weight without the 'kid gloves' and knock AFL and NRL back to being minor insignificant sports, which on the world stage they really are.

Problem is that wouldn't work in Australia.

Now if all so called 'football supporters' actually came to games instead of whinging about the standard being crap whilst sitting on their fat arses watching the EPL etc.............well then we'd be able to flex some muscle........

 

[bjw]

euro-snobs are the worst type of people.

 

[MrCelery]

Problem is that wouldn't work in Australia.

Now if all so called 'football supporters' actually came to games instead of whinging about the standard being crap whilst sitting on their fat arses watching the EPL etc.............well then we'd be able to flex some muscle........

For the first part, what's to work? I'm talking about attitude here. Maybe FFA are being cagey and I'm being too harsh and impatient.

I suppose there is evidence of sorts. Aggressive marketing at the junior level with small-sided football, A-league clubs promoting at schools, expansion of teams.

Very big input into women's football, Socceroo's, and World and Asian Cup hosting campaigns. Two areas that AFL in particular doesn't really have an answer for. And areas that really do offer ways to win over hearts and minds.

The area we appear to be still lacking badly is in media 'ownership'. By that I mean column inches and positioning. It's just plain wrong that the off-season oval ball codes get bigger coverage that on-season football. Overcoming the vested interests that are propping up the other codes in this way is a big need.

I agree totally with the comment about locals that only follow EPL though, euro-snobs they are. Add to that the fair-weather band waggoners. Damn frustrating.

 

[Arabmariner]

Problem is that wouldn't work in Australia.

Now if all so called 'football supporters' actually came to games instead of whinging about the standard being crap whilst sitting on their fat arses watching the EPL etc.............well then we'd be able to flex some muscle........

For the first part, what's to work? I'm talking about attitude here. Maybe FFA are being cagey and I'm being too harsh and impatient.

I suppose there is evidence of sorts. Aggressive marketing at the junior level with small-sided football, A-league clubs promoting at schools, expansion of teams.

Very big input into women's football, Socceroo's, and World and Asian Cup hosting campaigns. Two areas that AFL in particular doesn't really have an answer for. And areas that really do offer ways to win over hearts and minds.

The area we appear to be still lacking badly is in media 'ownership'. By that I mean column inches and positioning. It's just plain wrong that the off-season oval ball codes get bigger coverage that on-season football. Overcoming the vested interests that are propping up the other codes in this way is a big need.

I agree totally with the comment about locals that only follow EPL though, euro-snobs they are. Add to that the fair-weather band waggoners. Damn frustrating.

Thing is Mr C if the euro-snobs actually attended games then we wouldn't have the other problem.......the games would be so well attended, great atmosphere etc making tickets much sought after.

And the media would be clambering over each other trying to sign us up.

And yes it is damn frustrating.

 

[midfielder]

JON thinks we will win 2022.

At least RU is fully behind the bid

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/oneill-tips-australia-to-score-world-cup-in-2022-20100407-rsbo.html

O'Neill tips Australia to score World Cup in 2022
GREG GROWDEN
April 8, 2010
FORMER Football Federation Australia head John O'Neill believes Australia will miss out on the 2018 World Cup but is destined to host the tournament in 2022.

O'Neill, who spent three years at FFA before returning in 2007 to his previous position as Australian Rugby Union chief executive, said Australia would be a perfect World Cup venue but its bid for 2018 might be premature.

O'Neill was speaking at a CEOs' luncheon at the Tattersalls Club in Sydney yesterday, which also included his NRL counterpart David Gallop, Cricket Australia's James Sutherland and FFA chief executive Ben Buckley.

''I think they will win 2022,'' O'Neill said. ''My personal view is that 2018 may well have to go back to Europe for financial reasons. The one thing about FIFA is that it is a very unpredictable entity.

''The 2022 World Cup is a more realistic prospect, but it depends on who may jump out of the woodwork. I understand the USA is hovering and Qatar has put their hands up. But if FIFA is serious about the global game, the one region that has not hosted a World Cup is the Pacific or Oceania.

''The only country in the Pacific region that can host the World Cup is Australia, and I would be putting my money on 2022.''

Buckley was not surprised the other football codes had concerns about the World Cup bids, which have included a warning from AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou that his league would not take a back step if Australia secured the tournament. Ground availability and scheduling conflicts have become major issues.

''It [World Cup] will have an impact on the other sports, as it fits in the June to July window, which is a hotly contested environment,'' Buckley said. ''We all defend our turf. We understand none of the sports are going to sit by and watch their competitor try and overtake them. That's the nature of business and sport.''

Gallop said rugby league had ''legitimate interests to protect'', and would want compensation if its season was interrupted, but didn't want to stand in the way.

 

[midfielder]

Hope Wolverine can cut the other bids apart... go Hugh

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/soccer/hugh-jackman-becomes-ambassador-for-australias-soccer-world-cup-bid/story-e6frey4r-1225851977746


Hugh Jackman becomes ambassador for Australia's soccer World Cup bid

The Daily Telegraph April 10, 2010 12:00AM


Wolverine ... Hugh Jackman.
THEY set the silver screen alight in Australia and last week became godparents to Rupert Murdoch's daughters during a baptism in the River Jordan.

Now Australian actor Hugh Jackman is teaming up with Nicole Kidman for an entirely different purpose: ensuring Australia secures the FIFA World Cup.

In a world exclusive - yes, world exclusive - this column can reveal that Jackman has signed up to become an ambassador to the bid for the 2018 or 2022 tournament.

"I'm honoured to support Football Federation Australia as they work with FIFA on our bid to host the World Cup," Jackman told The Daily Telegraph.

"Australia as host of the 2018 or 2022 World Cup would without doubt be an event that would surpass the enormous success we had as a nation for the Olympics in 2000. Our passion for sport is legendary and our ability to stage massive global events is equally well recognised.
You'll remember Kidman's impassioned pitch in South Africa last December, and now Jackman - he of Wolverine fame among other films - has come in as a heavy hitter for FFA.

"Our bid is tracking well and we are thrilled to have the support of Hugh Jackman," FFA boss Ben Buckley said.

"A FIFA World Cup on home soil would provide a living legacy."

We shall all know on December 2 if Jackman and Kidman have edged us over the line when the FIFA executive committee finally makes their decision.

 

[midfielder]

Not sure Mike is on the money with this call .. but I hope he is...Mike infers the recent trouble the A-League is experiencing maybe good for the WC bid...

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/a-league/are-these-troubled-times-a-harbinger-for-a-future-paved-with-gold-20100413-s7og.html

The prevailing view of the A-League at the moment is that it's in trouble. How much trouble is another matter. The perspective from within is a doomsday scenario, but that's entirely predictable. Anyone with a history in the game - and that probably accounts for anyone over the age of 25 - is damaged goods. Paranoia, panic, pessimism. Stock-in-trade emotions for those who had more than a fleeting experience of the old NSL. Which is why recent events north of the Tweed have been met with such alarm.

But then there's another view, a more balanced perspective. Growing pains. It happened in Japan, it happened in China, it happened in South Korea and it happened in the US. Nations with similar football backgrounds. They had their dark days too, but they survived. It's not inconceivable to dream that one day, perhaps in the not too distant future, the leagues in these countries will stand on equal terms with any in the world bar the Big Five of Europe. And in the case of three of those nations - the US, South Korea, and Japan - the circuit-break was the helping hand they received from Big Brother. FIFA. Which is where the relevance to Australia comes in.

Some say the woes of the A-League will affect Australia's World Cup bid, which is now entering the home straight. Absolutely right. But not as you might expect. The truth is the more trouble the A-League is in, the more it helps the bid. In 1994, FIFA awarded the World Cup to the US to kick-start professional football. In 2002, the World Cup went to Japan/Korea just when both leagues were in the doldrums. A shot of adrenalin to bring both the K-League and the J-League back to life.

So why not Australia? If Frank Lowy has repeated one mantra throughout the bidding process, it's that Australia needs the World Cup more than anyone else. There's not a lot of blue sky left in Europe. There's a lot less of it in America, where the MLS is purring along. But in Australia, having a World Cup on the horizon would all but guarantee the future of the game in general, and the A-League in particular. Recent events have simply confirmed that for all the progress made, the pointy end of the game is still in a fragile state.

And if there's one thing FIFA remains obsessed with, it's world domination. Come to think of it, Sepp Blatter and Dr Evil do look alike. The difference is that Blatter, for all his faults, wants to share his inheritance. A war chest the envy of all other sports, a game of unsurpassed strength and breadth, and a map of the world which shows only a few lands left to colonise. North America, the Middle East, China, India and, yes, Australia, are the last big frontiers for football. USA? Been there, done that. China and India didn't bid for the World Cup. The Middle East has, but despite all the riches of Qatar, it's hard to believe FIFA can see a lot of merit in giving the game's greatest prize to a tiny city/state of fewer than two million people. Stranger things have happened but of all the bidders, Australia's claim for a legacy is the greatest. The crisis for the A-League is to convince FIFA of the fact.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Cockerill digging up trying to get back in someones good books..........

 

[midfielder]

AFL & NRL got their greedy mits out for some coin... so we can hold the WC... so pathetic in RL's case in particular as they have other grounds to play at...

Also note how RL want the extra Sydney stadium built for Wests nor at Blacktown for the Rovers..

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/let-the-games-begin/story-fn4ke077-1225856607730

Let the games begin

By Josh Massoud
James Phelps
April 22, 2010 12:00AM

WITH just three weeks left until our 2018-2022 World Cup bid deadline arrives, Australian sport's heaviest hitters gathered yesterday for the unveiling of the critical compensation document which the FFA hopes will satisfy its cross-code rivals.

Representatives from the NRL, AFL, ARU, and Cricket Australia joined FFA boss Ben Buckley and Federal Government taskforce members at a Sydney office to thrash out the details, coming together as one for the first time since February's landmark summit in Canberra.

In order to finalise the bid - which is due for submission to FIFA on 14 May - the FFA needs the four other sports to sign a 25-page MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) which seeks to guard them from loss of income during the tournament.

The draft MOU was presented for the first time yesterday, with all stakeholders agreeing to draw breath until they'd consulted armies of corporate lawyers over the next week.

"Everyone needs to make sure the wording is bullet-proof and that their rights are protected," a source close to the meeting said. "None of the other sports want a situation where the government can legislate them to stop playing or do something that's not required.

"The document is basically an agreement of the rules in which the sports can apply for government compensation depending on what they have to do and how much the World Cup impacts them."

The 12 host stadiums were not discussed yesterday. But the AFL has already confirmed that it won't allow Etihad Stadium to be used for the soccer showpiece.

The NRL's preference is for the replacement to be built in Sydney's southwest, between Fairfield and Campbelltown

 

[bjw]

"The 12 host stadiums were not discussed yesterday. But the AFL has already confirmed that it won't allow Etihad Stadium to be used for the soccer showpiece."

Does the AFL own Etihad?

 

[scottmac]

"The 12 host stadiums were not discussed yesterday. But the AFL has already confirmed that it won't allow Etihad Stadium to be used for the soccer showpiece."

Does the AFL own Etihad?

As good as owning it.

 

[Jesus]

"The 12 host stadiums were not discussed yesterday. But the AFL has already confirmed that it won't allow Etihad Stadium to be used for the soccer showpiece."

Does the AFL own Etihad?

Etihad is privately owned, but they have a 25year lease or something, and will buy it after that

 

[Jesus]

AFL & NRL got their greedy mits out for some coin... so we can hold the WC... so pathetic in RL's case in particular as they have other grounds to play at...

Also note how RL want the extra Sydney stadium built for Wests nor at Blacktown for the Rovers..

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/let-the-games-begin/story-fn4ke077-1225856607730

Let the games begin

By Josh Massoud
James Phelps
April 22, 2010 12:00AM

WITH just three weeks left until our 2018-2022 World Cup bid deadline arrives, Australian sport's heaviest hitters gathered yesterday for the unveiling of the critical compensation document which the FFA hopes will satisfy its cross-code rivals.

Representatives from the NRL, AFL, ARU, and Cricket Australia joined FFA boss Ben Buckley and Federal Government taskforce members at a Sydney office to thrash out the details, coming together as one for the first time since February's landmark summit in Canberra.

In order to finalise the bid - which is due for submission to FIFA on 14 May - the FFA needs the four other sports to sign a 25-page MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) which seeks to guard them from loss of income during the tournament.

The draft MOU was presented for the first time yesterday, with all stakeholders agreeing to draw breath until they'd consulted armies of corporate lawyers over the next week.

"Everyone needs to make sure the wording is bullet-proof and that their rights are protected," a source close to the meeting said. "None of the other sports want a situation where the government can legislate them to stop playing or do something that's not required.

"The document is basically an agreement of the rules in which the sports can apply for government compensation depending on what they have to do and how much the World Cup impacts them."

The 12 host stadiums were not discussed yesterday. But the AFL has already confirmed that it won't allow Etihad Stadium to be used for the soccer showpiece.

The NRL's preference is for the replacement to be built in Sydney's southwest, between Fairfield and Campbelltown

The only good news there is it seems that the federal government would be dishing out the compensation rather than FFA.

Not that i want my taxes wasted propping up NRL/Union/Alf

 

[midfielder]

I can only envy the management of the AFL in particular and also the NRL.. 

Us poor football folk have the hide to ask for the WC to be played in Australia. The AFL have attacked at every opportunity wait until the next FIFA people are out here or the WC starts and the AFL will be at it again However the NRL are not that far behind in many ways

Following on from both the AFL & NRL seeking and getting compensation if they have to move a game is the stadiums

AFL first
New stadium in Perth for the AFL oval shaped
New stadium in Adelaide for the AFL oval shaped
New stadium in Geelong for the AFL oval shaped.
Upgrade to the MCG AFL heartland oval
New stadium in Carrara for the AFL oval shaped

Thats four new stadiums and upgrades to the MCG and you want compensation on top and look like you are going to get it plus government aid funds for playing in South Africa

Rugby League

New Stadium in North Queensland .. Football shared tenant but very much the junior tenant

Suncorp .. upgrade .. Football shared tenant but very much the junior tenant

Newcastle upgrade Football shared tenant but very much the junior tenant

Aussie upgrade Football shared tenant but very much the junior tenant
Homebush huge upgrade for a ground used mainly for RL .. yes some Socceroo matches will be played their

Now a battle over WS stadium .. Blacktown for Football Campbelltown for RL
Football

Canberra stadium we may be the first tenant in this stadium

To me it seems crazy beyond understandability that the AFL should get compensation on top of  four new stadiums and the MCG upgrade. The RL the same especially when they refused to send a letter of support to FFA when RU did to get a rectangular stadium built in Perth all that was asked was if they established a team in Perth they would  play at the new stadium.

 

[midfielder]

Obie Wan ... alias Frank Lowy says we are still in the hunt even after Blatter sings the praises of Qatar... me thinks Sepp backs every bid depending on the country he is in...

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/lowy-insists-were-still-in-hunt-for-world-cup-after-blatter-backs-qatar-20100426-tned.html

Lowy insists we're still in hunt for World Cup after Blatter backs Qatar

SEBASTIAN HASSETT

April 27, 2010

FIFA president Sepp Blatter's decision to speak in support of Qatar's bid for the 2022 World Cup has not deterred Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy, who insists Australia's bid to host the 2018 or 2022 tournament remains strong.

Hopes of winning the 2018 World Cup were already remote, given FIFA's eagerness to see the tournament return to Europe after staging successive cups in South Africa and Brazil. Australia was thought to be locked in a battle with the USA for hosting rights in 2022, but Qatar's emergence as a politically savvy bidder makes them a powerful contender. Blatter's statement at the weekend that he ''strongly feels that the World Cup should come to Qatar'' has only strengthened their cause.

Further hurting Australia's chances is that Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed Bin Hammam has suggested Asia should unite behind one bid, rather than have their confederation divided. In February, he too threw his support behind Qatar, saying that hosting the event in the Middle East ''can replace the sorry story of wars''.

However, Lowy was quick to play down the impact of Blatter's comments, saying while the sentiments weren't ideal, in no way was Australia fighting a battle already lost.

''It's the biggest sporting event on earth, and his comments tell us what we already knew - that we are up against an incredibly tough field and that every competitor has a strong case to make,'' Lowy said yesterday. ''It reinforces the importance of lodging the best bid we can, and the need for the nation to get behind the bid.''

Lowy maintained his belief that Australia's bid was still the best.

''If we remain focused and continue to sell Australia's strong points - our track record with big events, being part of the fast-growing Asian region, and football's growing popularity here - then I am confident we will succeed,'' he said. ''We don't take the competition lightly, every nation has strong credentials, but I genuinely believe Australia is in a position to make the strongest bid.''

I guess the reaction was to this quote by Blatter

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/qatars-in-front-20100425-tlr1.html

Qatar's in front

April 26, 2010

DOHA: FIFA president Sepp Blatter has thrown doubt over Australia's bid for the 2022 World Cup, saying Qatar could well become the tournament's first Arabic host. In Doha to attend a domestic club cup final, Blatter said he was impressed by Qatar's rapid rise as a major sporting destination and the gas-rich country had dramatically improved its infrastructure in the past few years. ''The Arab world deserves the World Cup and Qatar has a good chance to become the first country from the region to host it,'' Blatter told a news conference on Saturday. Qatar is bidding to host the 2022 World Cup alongside Australia, Japan, the US, England, Russia and joint proposals from Spain and Portugal, and Belgium and the Netherlands.

 

[serious14]

Sepp Blatter in "praising the country he's currently visiting" shocker.