I don't think either Qatar or Russia will lose the World Cup. 2018 is too early to change the latter: it was possible to reschedule the 2015 Basketball Euro (that was supposed to take place in Ukraine, I guess you understand the issue) by splitting it between four countries (France, Germany, Croatia and Latvia), and, well, it was "simply" a Basketball Euro, which is nothing compared to the biggest event in the world. Also, I don't think the world wants to give another reason to Putin to behave like the jackass he is. Trust him to find some stupid way to ruin everyone's life (at least in Europe) if you start talking about rescheduling the world cup. So while the USA may be extremely motivated in having the 2018 rescheduled, everyone in Europe would oppose it for political reasons - and let's face it, Europe is the most powerful when it comes to football.
As for Qatar, they already managed to say that it would take place in Winter instead of summer, which was the one big limit to the organization. Gulfic countries are major actors in the European football now (they own Manchester City and the Paris Saint-Germain, Fly Emirates is the shirt sponsor of the Real Madrid, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Hamburg SV, Lazio Rome and Milan AC, Etihad is on Manchester City's and the AS Roma's shirts, while Barcelona has Qatar Airways, and Arsenal plays in the Emirates Stadium).
So when you make the list, Barcelona, the Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester City, Milan AC and the Paris Saint-Germain all are in part or completely owned by Qatar or the Emirates. Saying they have leverage is the understatement of the year. Which means that they will probably compromise somehow.
edited 5th Oct '15 7:27:07 AM by Julep
Also, they're very good at throwing bribes in a way that'll keep the problem stymied until it's too late to do anything.
FIFA is as corrupt as all Hell, and if any block of countries know how to work with corruption, it's the Gulf states. -_-
edited 5th Oct '15 9:18:37 AM by Euodiachloris
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Lost in Space
Do those charges carry any weight given that FIFA is international? Can the charged officials be extradited to the U.S.?
edited 3rd Dec '15 2:04:13 PM by Fighteer
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The FIFA Officials involved are to be extradited to the US. They're fighting it, of course, but that's the plan.
A procrastination in of itself
Yeah we've got two arrested and facing extradition already. Also it's hard to get around the world easily if one is dodging all countries with extradition treaties with the US malus all their money will be seized if they flee.
edited 3rd Dec '15 2:18:09 PM by Silasw
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I am Jack's complete lack of sympathy for rich fuckers suddenly finding that their money and influence won't buy them immunity from consequences.
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
And now Sepp's gotten an 8-year banhammer. There was no other way to get rid of the pressure; Blatter had to go.
No, I don not apologize for the horrible puns. Why do you ask?
Forward, boys! For God's sake, forward!
I managed to watch the match between Portugal and Spain yesterday. I was rooting for Portugal to win. I can't believe in ended in a tie.
I really wanted to see the soccer match between Nigeria and Croatia. It sucks that it wasn't showing on FOX.
The tie was fair. It reflected the game pretty well. I wish Australia vs France had also ended in a tie.
But man do I NOT look forward to having more teams in the tournament next time around. F... Fifa and their money grabbing ways. The first matches were already downright painful, I really have no interest in seeing even worse teams embarrass themselves.
Just a harmless giant from a foreign land.
I think there is a Football thread over in Yack Fest already.
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It would help if the additional spots would at least be allocated according to merit, instead of politics. If the first games are any indication, there is justification for giving Africa and Asia 4 spots, while Europe only gets 3.
This is not about merit, this is about having more teams from Africa and Asia in the tournament. What for? They already barely manage to make it past the group stage as it is.
I want the finals to be Iceland Vs Panama. It'd be funny.
By the way, what are Iceland, Panama, Marocco, Egypt, Iran, and Tunisia doing here? There's a lot of smaller nations I didn't see coming this year than usual. Not that it's a bad thing, it'd be amazing to see them win or do something amazing. I already like how Iceland managed to tie with Argentina.
edited 17th Jun '18 4:08:13 AM by TheLovecraftian
A Beautiful Thread for the Beautiful Game in Yack Fest is where it's at. Drop by, and I'll tell you all about how they managed to qualify.
Iceland was already pretty good at the last Euro Cup...apparently the governments investment in training facilities has paid off. Their style is very...unique, to say at least...but they are fun to watch, as are their fans. Argentina on the other hand struggled to qualify, so it is not THAT much of a surprised that Iceland was able to get a draw out of them. They managed to get Portugal and England on the wrong foot last EM, until they eventually run into France.
Panama is there because the US utterly botched their qualification, the others are known to qualify once in a while.
edited 17th Jun '18 5:02:04 AM by Swanpride
Organized Canine Bureau Special Agent
South Korea pulled a win against Germany. 2 to 0.
Though it looks like the German coach is being asked on his player choices.
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My fav team Japan got busted down by Belgium.
"Exit muna si Polgas. Ang kailangan dito ay si Dobermaxx!"
Shin Megami Tensei IV
And Mexico is gone too
Watch me destroying my country
Organized Canine Bureau Special Agent
Due to Argentina loosing, some of their fans have decided to off themselves...
Yeah...
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Organized Canine Bureau Special Agent
No Asian/South American team made it. Now it's just Europeans. :(
"Exit muna si Polgas. Ang kailangan dito ay si Dobermaxx!"
Well, at least one of my predictions were correct...when I saw the group stage, I was sure it would be an all-European half-final, though Brazil was better than I expected in the end.
I am for either Belgium or Croatia now. Belgium kind of deserve it, they have their golden generation and it would be kind of unfair if they can never celebrate a big success with them.
Organized Canine Bureau Special Agent
It's now Croatia against the British (English).
France won against Belgium.
"Exit muna si Polgas. Ang kailangan dito ay si Dobermaxx!"
Organized Canine Bureau Special Agent
France trounced Croatia with a score of 4-2.
"Exit muna si Polgas. Ang kailangan dito ay si Dobermaxx!"
...On one hand it would be pretty amusing to see how World Cup in 2018 in the US would make the election cycle even more ridiculous for a week or so.
On the other hand Putin would pitch an epic fit if that happened.
...Win win?
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