Australia's 2018 cup bid 'doomed' - Blatter

socceroos06 · Guru Posts: 6104 Age: 16 Location: olympic park

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,26637316-5019088,00.html

Quote:

Australia's bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals has been
handed a hammer blow by FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who has indicated
that European bids alone should be considered.

Blatter told a media conference in Madrid that a plan to take the 2018
World Cup finals to Europe was being considered, despite Australia’s
bid for the 2018 tournament.
"From what I've discussed with the president of UEFA, Michel Platini,
in the last few days in Moscow is that only a European candidate will
be evaluated for the 2018 World Cup," Blatter said.

"There is a
movement at the moment among the various candidates that in the end it
would be a good solution ... if the candidates for 2018 would only be
those from Europe.

''It's not been finally decided but it's
the idea, also to make the work of FIFA easier and especially that of
the executive committee.''

Football Federation Australia
spokesman Rod Allen said, however, that the governing body in
Australia had not received official word from FIFA and would continue
to push its bids for the 2018 and 2022 finals.

“We want either of them," Allen said exclusively to foxsports.com.au.

"We're not changing our focus at all.

"We haven't been notified and, as far as we're concerned, the rules haven't changed and we're proceeding with our bid process."

Russia
and England have applied separately to stage the 2018 or 2022 World Cup
finals, while Spain and Portugal and the Netherlands and Belgium have
made joint bids for either or both.

Apart from Australia, countries outside Europe bidding for hosting rights are Japan and United States.

South Korea, Indonesia and Qatar have all applied to host only the 2022 version.

The
news of Blatter's statement reached Australia as the nation's passion
for the world game was on display on Sydney Harbour, where a "2018-2022
Football Ferry" contested the traditional ferry race as part of Sydney
Festival’s annual Australia Day celebrations.

FFA chief
executive Ben Buckley said the ferry race presented a great opportunity
to showcase both Australia's bid and the beauty of Australia.

"An
iconic Sydney Harbour ferry decked out in Come Play! livery and full of
football supporters racing around one of the most beautiful harbours in
the world is a great advertisement for the bid and the country,"
Buckley said.

Australia’s fate will be decided when FIFA selects the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts in Zurich in December.

Not very surprised to be honest but far out. This is the world game isn't it? It shouldn't automatically be in Europe and all bids should be considered. Ahh well. 2022 hopefully

_________________

Stay Strong Boys

a_F_c · Guru Posts: 8940 Age: 20 Location: Brisssyyyyyy

Blatter is a tool.

Anyway - England will get 18 and Australia 22. Suits me fine as I can go to both Very Happy

_________________
'71 WHL '89 Anfield '02 OT '04 WHL
AFC.

QUEENSLANDER!

socceroos06 · Guru Posts: 6104 Age: 16 Location: olympic park

a_F_c wrote:

Blatter is a tool.

Anyway - England will get 18 and Australia 22. Suits me fine as I can go to both Very Happy

Will be going to both also Smile

_________________

Stay Strong Boys

Brenton · Guru Posts: 4063 Age: 16 Location: Dairy Farmers Stadium

If England get it I might go, I'll be 24 then and I have always planned to go to England one day

And can't forget about the 2022 World Cup, hopefully in Australia Very Happy

Sibs#12 · Legend Posts: 11815 Location: Sydney

I always thought we were a better chance of getting 2022, not many people would pick us over England (TBH, from an outsiders point of view, I wouldnt) so I'd expect them to get first preference. That's what I want anyway.

_________________

The future is bright, the future is blue and white.

TealDevils

Well I've always said I'd love to go to England, and in 2018 looks like a good timing Very Happy

_________________

Ablett29 wrote:

Liam you are a fuckhead dont have a crack at one of tfw's founding members or ill drop u like a bag of shit.

Ablett: Dropping Liam like a bag of shit since 1995.

Fuzzy · Guru Posts: 3769 Age: 23

2018 was always going to be a reach with 2010 in South Africa and 2014 in Brazil, taking it away for so long from Europe (where the real big money is) was probably never going to happen. We should be a great chance for 2022 though.

_________________
La Roja!

socceroos06 · Guru Posts: 6104 Age: 16 Location: olympic park

But the reason i'm pissed off is what the hell is the point of all these non-european countries bidding for 2022 when Blatter comes out decides it is Europe anyway!?

_________________

Stay Strong Boys