comment by Fred Slot (U3979)
posted 13 minutes ago
Honestly TOOR, it’s so naive to think World Cup allocations are about development these days. US 94 and Japan / Korea in 2022 were good examples of this and I totally get the logic in taking the tournament to relatively untapped markets, using the event as a tool to promote football in regions where it needed a serious push. But those days are long gone.

Qatar's world cup bid highlighted what the process has become which is nothing more than rewarding the highest bidder. A country the size of Yorkshire, had no footballing pedigree, questionable infrastructure, and temperatures so extreme the tournament had to be shifted to winter fvcking up the rest of the football calendar. But with billions in lobbying and FIFA officials lining their pockets, that didn’t matter. Russia 2018 had its own share of corruption scandals (and only 3 years later invaded Ukraine by the way), and now Saudi Arabia 2034 is shaping up as another case of sportswashing, where vast sums of money outweigh concerns over sustainability, fairness, or human rights. This is a country that beheads its citizens with a sword ffs.

Even South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014, where you could argue about development, have been criticised for leaving behind white elephant stadiums and limited benefits to local communities. What we’re seeing now is a pattern where the global growth of football is just a convenient excuse for FIFA to cash in on the riches of oil states and political heavyweights.
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I dont think it's naive at all. It's literally a massove part of the selection process.

People seem to think countries pay FIFA to host the World Cup. Is that naive? Well I have another word for it but I don't wish to get into an endless back and forward after feelings are hurt because somebody said something stupid again.

FIFA is a non-profit organisation. Most of its income goes back into the game.

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/070915/how-does-fifa-make-money.asp

comment by Neo (U9135)
posted about a minute ago


Next up on TOOR's agenda.. trying to convince us that the tooth fairy and easter bunny are both real.
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Wait, they aren't? Next you'll be telling me Santa isn't real.

comment by TheresOnlyOne7-0Reds (U1721)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by Pranky 23/24 LFC Draft Champ (U22336)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by TheresOnlyOne7-0Reds (U1721)
posted 29 minutes ago
comment by Pranky 23/24 LFC Draft Champ (U22336)
posted 26 minutes ago
It’s all about the money, nothing more nothing less.

The only good thing I can think of is the Saudi time zone when watching in the UK. Essentially footy all day.
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If it were about money surely they make more money from countries with already established infrastructure, better marketing potential and bigger stadiums since the money they make comes from selling marketing rights, TV rights, tickets etc.

So if it's not about money, what is it about?
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From FIFI’s perspective. All they care about is getting paid and Saudi have the deepest pockets.
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They don't sell the world cup to countries. They make money from the actual world cup itself, no matter which country it is. The most money would be made from the countries with the most marketing potential, best TV times for a worldwide audience and ticket sales, meaning the bigger the stadium the better.
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You’ve got to be on the wum here, surely?

comment by Terminator1 (U1863)
posted less than a minute ago
comment by TheresOnlyOne7-0Reds (U1721)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by Pranky 23/24 LFC Draft Champ (U22336)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by TheresOnlyOne7-0Reds (U1721)
posted 29 minutes ago
comment by Pranky 23/24 LFC Draft Champ (U22336)
posted 26 minutes ago
It’s all about the money, nothing more nothing less.

The only good thing I can think of is the Saudi time zone when watching in the UK. Essentially footy all day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If it were about money surely they make more money from countries with already established infrastructure, better marketing potential and bigger stadiums since the money they make comes from selling marketing rights, TV rights, tickets etc.

So if it's not about money, what is it about?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From FIFI’s perspective. All they care about is getting paid and Saudi have the deepest pockets.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They don't sell the world cup to countries. They make money from the actual world cup itself, no matter which country it is. The most money would be made from the countries with the most marketing potential, best TV times for a worldwide audience and ticket sales, meaning the bigger the stadium the better.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You’ve got to be on the wum here, surely?
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Yeah I think so

Ngl, saying the World Cup in Qatar was about development has given me a proper giggle. It’s a pretty good wum tbf

comment by Fred Slot (U3979)
posted 7 minutes ago
Honestly TOOR, it’s so naive to think World Cup allocations are about development these days. US 94 and Japan / Korea in 2022 were good examples of this and I totally get the logic in taking the tournament to relatively untapped markets, using the event as a tool to promote football in regions where it needed a serious push. But those days are long gone.

Qatar's world cup bid highlighted what the process has become which is nothing more than rewarding the highest bidder. A country the size of Yorkshire, had no footballing pedigree, questionable infrastructure, and temperatures so extreme the tournament had to be shifted to winter fvcking up the rest of the football calendar. But with billions in lobbying and FIFA officials lining their pockets, that didn’t matter. Russia 2018 had its own share of corruption scandals (and only 3 years later invaded Ukraine by the way), and now Saudi Arabia 2034 is shaping up as another case of sportswashing, where vast sums of money outweigh concerns over sustainability, fairness, or human rights. This is a country that beheads its citizens with a sword ffs.

Even South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014, where you could argue about development, have been criticised for leaving behind white elephant stadiums and limited benefits to local communities. What we’re seeing now is a pattern where the global growth of football is just a convenient excuse for FIFA to cash in on the riches of oil states and political heavyweights.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You're trying to make out like the corruption is something new that's come in with the Arabs when it's always been like that. Why am I not surprised?

TOOR will have you believe taxes are genuinely used for the public's benefit

Next Up: Man City are just misunderstood and are trying to develop the local community in Manchester.

This is actually on par for TOOR because I remember him denying that UEFA rigs the draws despite almost every year there's a leak list that's 100% correct

Personally I love the idea of a white elephant, I can't picture anything as majestic. Have you seen a pic of a white moose? Extraordinary

But would you be saying the same thing if it was black huh huh

comment by Mamba - I filter right back (U1282)
posted 17 minutes ago
comment by Fred Slot (U3979)
posted 7 minutes ago
Honestly TOOR, it’s so naive to think World Cup allocations are about development these days. US 94 and Japan / Korea in 2022 were good examples of this and I totally get the logic in taking the tournament to relatively untapped markets, using the event as a tool to promote football in regions where it needed a serious push. But those days are long gone.

Qatar's world cup bid highlighted what the process has become which is nothing more than rewarding the highest bidder. A country the size of Yorkshire, had no footballing pedigree, questionable infrastructure, and temperatures so extreme the tournament had to be shifted to winter fvcking up the rest of the football calendar. But with billions in lobbying and FIFA officials lining their pockets, that didn’t matter. Russia 2018 had its own share of corruption scandals (and only 3 years later invaded Ukraine by the way), and now Saudi Arabia 2034 is shaping up as another case of sportswashing, where vast sums of money outweigh concerns over sustainability, fairness, or human rights. This is a country that beheads its citizens with a sword ffs.

Even South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014, where you could argue about development, have been criticised for leaving behind white elephant stadiums and limited benefits to local communities. What we’re seeing now is a pattern where the global growth of football is just a convenient excuse for FIFA to cash in on the riches of oil states and political heavyweights.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You're trying to make out like the corruption is something new that's come in with the Arabs when it's always been like that. Why am I not surprised?
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Ah, I didn’t realise Russia was an Arab country—thanks for the correction!

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are at the forefront of this issue. Qatar, with its dubious human rights record, and now Saudi Arabia, with its sportswashing agenda, have turned World Cup bidding into a contest of who can throw the most money around. So while corruption has always been part of FIFA’s DNA, it’s never been quite this blatant or politically charged and yes it's Arab states where this is most evident in recent history whether you like it or not.

The US Justice Department have openly said both the Russia and Qatar bids were won via massive bribes.

To suggest Qatar was about development is just a big lol if we’re honest. It’s smaller than Birmingham and gets gates of 4k.

By the way Mamba, this is no secret, remember this?

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/sports/soccer/qatar-and-russia-bribery-world-cup-fifa.html

comment by Robbing Hoody - keepy up arbiter. Don’t talk to me unless you can do ten (U6374)
posted about a minute ago
The US Justice Department have openly said both the Russia and Qatar bids were won via massive bribes.

To suggest Qatar was about development is just a big lol if we’re honest. It’s smaller than Birmingham and gets gates of 4k.
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Saudi makes significantly more sense than Qatar from a logistical standpoint.

Until you remember that another local pastime is popping along to the town square to watch somebody who was been tortured into a confession get beheaded by a sword.

comment by Fred Slot (U3979)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robbing Hoody - keepy up arbiter. Don’t talk to me unless you can do ten (U6374)
posted about a minute ago
The US Justice Department have openly said both the Russia and Qatar bids were won via massive bribes.

To suggest Qatar was about development is just a big lol if we’re honest. It’s smaller than Birmingham and gets gates of 4k.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Saudi makes significantly more sense than Qatar from a logistical standpoint.

Until you remember that another local pastime is popping along to the town square to watch somebody who was been tortured into a confession get beheaded by a sword.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Yeah I agree. They are pushing their league and have a 30m population. You could see that league taking off, although the attendances there are also appalling atm.

The social values issue is a separate issue for me, but you can’t deny it flies in the face of all of FIFA inclusion and diversity campaigns.

comment by Fred Slot (U3979)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robbing Hoody - keepy up arbiter. Don’t talk to me unless you can do ten (U6374)
posted about a minute ago
The US Justice Department have openly said both the Russia and Qatar bids were won via massive bribes.

To suggest Qatar was about development is just a big lol if we’re honest. It’s smaller than Birmingham and gets gates of 4k.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Saudi makes significantly more sense than Qatar from a logistical standpoint.

Until you remember that another local pastime is popping along to the town square to watch somebody who was been tortured into a confession get beheaded by a sword.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh my goodness! Saudi got issues for sure, but what the fack is this nonsense?

comment by Mamba - I filter right back (U1282)
posted 26 seconds ago
comment by Fred Slot (U3979)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robbing Hoody - keepy up arbiter. Don’t talk to me unless you can do ten (U6374)
posted about a minute ago
The US Justice Department have openly said both the Russia and Qatar bids were won via massive bribes.

To suggest Qatar was about development is just a big lol if we’re honest. It’s smaller than Birmingham and gets gates of 4k.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Saudi makes significantly more sense than Qatar from a logistical standpoint.

Until you remember that another local pastime is popping along to the town square to watch somebody who was been tortured into a confession get beheaded by a sword.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh my goodness! Saudi got issues for sure, but what the fack is this nonsense?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Public executions in Saudi are still very much a thing and they are mostly done by beheading. Surely you know that?

comment by Michael Edwards FC 2.0 loading…{Proud owner of the 5 000 000th comment} (U2720)

But would you be saying the same thing if it was black huh huh
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How black are we talking? A vantablack elephant would be brazy

comment by Fred Slot (U3979)
posted about a minute ago
comment by Mamba - I filter right back (U1282)
posted 26 seconds ago
comment by Fred Slot (U3979)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robbing Hoody - keepy up arbiter. Don’t talk to me unless you can do ten (U6374)
posted about a minute ago
The US Justice Department have openly said both the Russia and Qatar bids were won via massive bribes.

To suggest Qatar was about development is just a big lol if we’re honest. It’s smaller than Birmingham and gets gates of 4k.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Saudi makes significantly more sense than Qatar from a logistical standpoint.

Until you remember that another local pastime is popping along to the town square to watch somebody who was been tortured into a confession get beheaded by a sword.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh my goodness! Saudi got issues for sure, but what the fack is this nonsense?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Public executions in Saudi are still very much a thing and they are mostly done by beheading. Surely you know that?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
They love an execution, they make the yanks look like amateurs with their electrocutions.

A sharp sword swing to the head and bobs your uncle 😂

Most executions in Saudi since 1990 this year.

They’re actually upping their game on that front. More development

For the record, I have the same issue with the US and their disgusting use of nitrogen asphyxiation, the electric chair, and lethal injection. Death penalty is just abhorrent.

comment by Fred Slot (U3979)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Mamba - I filter right back (U1282)
posted 26 seconds ago
comment by Fred Slot (U3979)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robbing Hoody - keepy up arbiter. Don’t talk to me unless you can do ten (U6374)
posted about a minute ago
The US Justice Department have openly said both the Russia and Qatar bids were won via massive bribes.

To suggest Qatar was about development is just a big lol if we’re honest. It’s smaller than Birmingham and gets gates of 4k.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Saudi makes significantly more sense than Qatar from a logistical standpoint.

Until you remember that another local pastime is popping along to the town square to watch somebody who was been tortured into a confession get beheaded by a sword.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh my goodness! Saudi got issues for sure, but what the fack is this nonsense?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Public executions in Saudi are still very much a thing and they are mostly done by beheading. Surely you know that?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Of course but what this got to do with the world cup Fred? As I said, their public executions is an issue, but dragon it out in the name of a world cup is ridiculous and hypocritical. USA will host one soon and you haven't said fack all.

comment by Fred Slot (U3979)
posted less than a minute ago
For the record, I have the same issue with the US and their disgusting use of nitrogen asphyxiation, the electric chair, and lethal injection. Death penalty is just abhorrent.
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Finally. And what about their rap sheet, which I don't want to start listing. Invading countries, funding and providing tech and weapons for genocides, covertly facking up other countries etc etc....

If you're not happy with Saudi you should be raving mad over USA, going by the pure facts, no?

comment by Mamba - I filter right back (U1282)

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Of course but what this got to do with the world cup Fred? As I said, their public executions is an issue, but dragon it out in the name of a world cup is ridiculous and hypocritical. USA will host one soon and you haven't said fack all.
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If they have dragons in Saudi I'm out