OT: FIFA just missed a big opportunity

[pixburgher66]

The 2018 and 2022 hosts were announced today. Getting the 2018 bid is Russia, and the 2022....Qatar. Sure, it won't set back every team at the World Cup...but it certainly is a blow the US teams. What I don't get about the 2018 bid is this: Russia has the OLYMPICS in 2014, so why give them another HUGE event so close to it? And on Qatar...they made their life very difficult with that one. Not only is it a security nightmare, but it's a small country with a very wide range in the climate. They won't get everything out of the WC that they can with it in Qatar. Congrats to both countries, but I was really hoping for the US to get a chance to flourish.

 

[dash]

Qatar has unparalleled financial clout...soon to be (if not already) lining pockets of FIFA officials.

 

[pixburgher66]

Qatar has unparalleled financial clout...soon to be (if not already) lining pockets of FIFA officials.

In reading up some more on it, Qatar is a country that has a very low tolerance for alcohol...so in their presentation of the country to FIFA they decided that they'd kill that law just for the WC. Geez. Qatar has never qualified for a WC and has never done well in the Asian Cup...they're ranked 113th in the world. But now...now they get an automatic bid. Just don't get that...they're explanation was that they wanted to expose it to the Arab nations more...so now we go CLOSER to the danger (sure I may be stereotyping...but you can't deny that it's closer) in temps that range from 100's in the day to 20's at night. I dunno, this may just be my disappointment speaking for me.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

the US bid for 2018 had games to be held at Husky Stadium or Qwest Field in Seattle ... I would definitely have gone

 

[pixburgher66]

the US bid for 2018 had games to be held at Husky Stadium or Qwest Field in Seattle ... I would definitely have gone

I would've driven upwards of 6 hours to get to a Stadium...

 

[dash]

But now...now they get an automatic bid. Just don't get that...they're explanation was that they wanted to expose it to the Arab nations more...so now we go CLOSER to the danger (sure I may be stereotyping...but you can't deny that it's closer)

I always thought Qatar was the 52nd state (Saudi Arabia being the 51st)

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Qatar has unparalleled financial clout...soon to be (if not already) lining pockets of FIFA officials.

Al Jazeera was apparently reporting that Qatar had the winning bid prior to the announcement ... I wonder how that happened ... must be wikileaks er something


/add this one to your christmas lists

Amazon.com: The Fix: Soccer and Organized Crime (9780771041396): Declan Hill: Books

 

[dash]

Al Jazeera was apparently reporting that Qatar had the winning bid prior to the announcement ... I wonder how that happened ... must be wikileaks er something


/add this one to your christmas lists

Amazon.com: The Fix: Soccer and Organized Crime (9780771041396): Declan Hill: Books

I need to get that book, jstew, numerous people (including yourself) have recommended it. Time to put a bug in the wife's ear.

 

[SLY]

Too bad. Even if it went to Enland I would have went. FIFA, fucking retards.

 

[davnlaguna]

Well Qatar is getting more liberal every year. Holding hands, while still frowned apon, will no longer result in a fine or jail time in many areas. Kissiing is still concidered an immoral act and you can be sent to jail for a month.
Alcohol is legal as well but seen as a Western weakness and there are law to restrict locals from drinking.
Women must cover their arms and legs in public so drunk girls in bikinis will not be in attendance (one of my favorite World Cup attractions). Men can wear short sleeves but not shorts, This may make it difficult for the players
Temp for the game should be 40 C or about 105 F. That should be fun.

more on drinking
New Regulations Enforced for Drinking in Qatar Bars Here There and Everywhere

However, the new rules have meant that many places have substantial queues outside their establishments, and during special events guests can often have to wait for over half-an-hour to have their membership cards of ID scanned by hotel staff.

 

[SLY]

Too bad. Even if it went to Enland I would have went. FIFA, fucking retards.

Qatar, ... Fucking retards.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Well Qatar is getting more liberal every year. Holding hands, while still frowned apon, will no longer result in a fine or jail time in many areas. Kissiing is still concidered an immoral act and you can be sent to jail for a month.
Alcohol is legal as well but seen as a Western weakness and there are law to restrict locals from drinking.
Women must cover their arms and legs in public so drunk girls in bikinis will not be in attendance (one of my favorite World Cup attractions). Men can wear short sleeves but not shorts, This may make it difficult for the players
Temp for the game should be 40 C or about 105 F. That should be fun.

more on drinking
New Regulations Enforced for Drinking in Qatar Bars Here There and Everywhere

However, the new rules have meant that many places have substantial queues outside their establishments, and during special events guests can often have to wait for over half-an-hour to have their membership cards of ID scanned by hotel staff.

Im no Muslim, but if the Heineken girls wear Burqas is it acceptable for them to go topless???

 

[dash]

There's plenty of SAP jobs in Qatar (tax-free as well). Something to think about in a dozen years.

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

What's soccer?

 

[SLY]

Its football.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

The time difference will really hurt the ratings in the USA. Not that most Americans would watch the other countries play anyway.

Soccer/Futbol who cares. Get rid of the offside rule & maybe somebody will actually score a goal.

When a sport can decide a World Champion by penalty kicks it's a joke as far as I'm concerned.

How would all of you feel if the Stanley Cup was decided by a shootout?

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

I actually like the move. I think it will help a lot of people.

They're talking about putting some of the stadiums in Russia in relatively outlying areas - compared to Moscow and St. Petersburg at least - and making vast improvements to the transportation system there, which they sorely need.

And going to Qatar is a move I like too. Qatar is a predominantly Muslim country, but is also seen as one of the more liberal in the Middle East. Quite basically, they form a pretty good bridge between liberal parts of the world and the more conservative of the Muslim nations. Not to mention that they have more money than they know what to do with and have pledged to build 9 new stadiums just for the tournament which will then be dis-assembled, brick-by-brick, and used to build 20+ new stadiums in 3rd world countries.

As for the climate, they're claiming to have developed an AC system that will allow them to control the temperature of the entire stadium with no environmental impact.

 

[SLY]

FOOTBALL

THROWBALL

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

The time difference will really hurt the ratings in the USA. Not that most Americans would watch the other countries play anyway.

Soccer/Futbol who cares. Get rid of the offside rule & maybe somebody will actually score a goal.

When a sport can decide a World Champion by penalty kicks it's a joke as far as I'm concerned.

How would all of you feel if the Stanley Cup was decided by a shootout?

Or the Olympic hockey tournament?

:p

 

[li0lsh]

World cup in Qatar?