FIFA

rass · Post by **rass** » Sat May 30, 2015 9:09 pm

brian wrote:
AB_skin_test wrote:
mister d wrote:Sydney Leroux > Alex Morgan
Sydney Leroux looks like frank n furter as played by Tim burton.
I'd hit it.

I thought she was pretty impressive in person this evening. And since it was mentioned earlier, my wife thought she looked...enhanced...also.

joeyclams · Post by **joeyclams** » Sun May 31, 2015 8:41 am

rass wrote:
brian wrote:
AB_skin_test wrote:
mister d wrote:Sydney Leroux > Alex Morgan
Sydney Leroux looks like frank n furter as played by Tim burton.
I'd hit it.
I thought she was pretty impressive in person this evening. And since it was mentioned earlier, my wife thought she looked...enhanced...also.

Rules:

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Sun May 31, 2015 8:48 am

Morgan certainly isn't enhanced.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Sun May 31, 2015 12:25 pm

If that's what Frank n Furter looked like, I guess my memory of that movie has fogged over a bit.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Sun May 31, 2015 7:15 pm

degenerasian wrote:I think a Europe/SA tournament would fail in the long run. Players from other regions wouldnt be showcased and wouldnt be bought by the big clubs. Fans from other regions would no longer watch or buy merchandise.

Would you watch MLS or the USMNT if there was no World Cup?

I have been trying to wrap my brain around this post, and I'm just not getting there. If Europe and South America pulled out of FIFA, you think the big clubs wouldn't scout a tournament or league from other regions? If an incredible striker dominated the African Cup of Nations, big clubs would be unaware? A club like Ajax has developmental programs all over the world, are they just going to pick up stakes and only scout in Europe and South America? The big clubs are scouting and signing 9 year olds, scrapping the World Cup isn't going to end world wide scouting.

As big as the EPL has become around the world, are you saying people in Asia, Africa and the US will stop watching the EPL? I wouldn't, and I don't think many others would either. I would wholeheartedly support anyone with the balls to pull out of FIFA. My love of the EPL and the sport in general has little to do with the World Cup. The World Cup is a fun tournament, especially when you count the almost 4 year cycle of qualifiers in many regions, but if the World Cup disappeared tomorrow, my EPL fandom would only grow without the USMNT around focus on.

As mentioned above, lots of people follow the World Cup who don't pay attention to soccer the rest of the 3 years and 11 months. These people aren't buying ManU jerseys and watching club football anyways. Some people fall into the sport because of the World Cup, I know several people here said that. By now, the EPL and MLS have large followings in the US, and I don't think World Cup Fever brings in that much more interest into club soccer. This goes for Asia and Africa as well, as the EPL is already followed in both continents. When I was in Tunisia, I learned that Serie A has an enormous following and everyone watches. I was there two weeks after the amazing Champions League Final where Liverpool came back from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan. Tunisians were still talking about it. Our driver was so excited when I told him I watched the game. He said the country shut down to watch, as everyone wanted AC to win. Removing the World Cup doesn't do anything to remove that kind of passion.

As for cutting into FIFA's coffers, they have $1.4 Billion in reserves. They'll get by.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Sun May 31, 2015 7:35 pm

I just think it would be less. In general people want to see the world's best and I'm not sure without the World Cup, as many players will be discovered.

Take a guy like Keylor Navas. He's played in how many matches for Costa Rica, how many Gold Cups?

One World Cup run and he signs with Real Madrid. Yes there will still be stud players like Drogba who signed for a big club based on league form alone. But the World Cup (and World Cup qualification) is the showcase event that launches careers of players from outside Europe.

What if for example, South America joins UEFA and those players no longer need VISAs to play in Europe or don't count against imports in some leagues? They will certainly be scooped up ahead of Africans.

But as I said earlier, there is 0% chance South America would ever join Europe, they hate each other.

DC47 · Post by **DC47** » Sun May 31, 2015 11:07 pm

The Sybian wrote:As for cutting into FIFA's coffers, they have $1.4 Billion in reserves. They'll get by.

Before lawsuit results, legal fees, and law-enforcement shares.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 9:33 am

Jack Warner uses The Onion in his defense.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 1:20 pm

degenerasian wrote:I just think it would be less. In general people want to see the world's best and I'm not sure without the World Cup, as many players will be discovered.

Take a guy like Keylor Navas. He's played in how many matches for Costa Rica, how many Gold Cups?

One World Cup run and he signs with Real Madrid. Yes there will still be stud players like Drogba who signed for a big club based on league form alone. But the World Cup (and World Cup qualification) is the showcase event that launches careers of players from outside Europe.

What if for example, South America joins UEFA and those players no longer need VISAs to play in Europe or don't count against imports in some leagues? They will certainly be scooped up ahead of Africans.

But as I said earlier, there is 0% chance South America would ever join Europe, they hate each other.

If a guy like Keylor Navas had a great tournament in the CONCACAF, CAF, AFC, Oceania tournament, Real Madrid wouldn't have been watching?

If South American countries joined UEFA, their players would still need work permits. The work permit laws are EU laws and individual countries' immigration laws, not FIFA/UEFA. South American countries joining with UEFA would give them status as European Union countries. In the unlikely event CONMEBOL and UEFA spilt from the rest of the confederations, I'm sure they would remain separate but partnered confederations.

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 1:27 pm

What gets really interesting in that scenario is what would happen to countries like the US and MEX, who are "trapped" in the shitty, corrupt CONCACAF region. Do you allow them to join CONMEBOL? Which, btw, is not such a huge stretch, given both countries have been invited to and played in Copa America numerous times. (And, if memory serves, I think they've had teams compete in the Gold Cup, too.)

=-=-=-=-=-=

I understand what degen is saying... There have definitely been some careers launched due almost entirely to their performance at the WC. And, no, scouts don't put the same importance on WCQ's or regional championships... US players have dealt with eurosnobbery for years, as you all know. How often have heard that beating (or playing well against) El Salvador means fuck all... try doing that against (insert Euro middling country here.)

With that said, I just don't think that is reason enough to stick with the current system. Fuck FIFA in the ear if they are going to continue with the existing, totally corrupt system.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 2:26 pm

I'm in the minority but I hope FIFA cleans up it's act. It does more good than bad. It's too bad the corrupt officials got too far, the naming of Russia and Qatar as hosts AT THE SAME TIME was ridiculous and way too greedy.

I hope Blatter doesn't fulfill his whole 4-year term and we get a good president.

Europe really needs to step up it's act or leave. But they haven't left because they are on their own. Europe has offered nothing to FIFA. They poo-poo everything, especially the World Club Cup. So they have this arrogance everyone hates.

It takes 105 votes to be FIFA president. UEFA has 54 members. They just need 51 more votes around the world. In the 30-40 odd years of Havelange and Blatter, UEFA have not been able to put forward a viable candidate to get 51 extra votes. They need to come up with some kind commitment to some kind global development. Otherwise they will get no support.

And on Friday was the worst, UEFA put their eggs behind a Jordanian stooge.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 2:43 pm

degenerasian wrote:I'm in the minority but I hope FIFA cleans up it's act. It does more good than bad. It's too bad the corrupt officials got too far, the naming of Russia and Qatar as hosts AT THE SAME TIME was ridiculous and way too greedy.

I hope Blatter doesn't fulfill his whole 4-year term and we get a good president.

Europe really needs to step up it's act or leave. But they haven't left because they are on their own. Europe has offered nothing to FIFA. They poo-poo everything, especially the World Club Cup. So they have this arrogance everyone hates.

It takes 105 votes to be FIFA president. UEFA has 54 members. They just need 51 more votes around the world. In the 30-40 odd years of Havelange and Blatter, UEFA have not been able to put forward a viable candidate to get 51 extra votes. They need to come up with some kind commitment to some kind global development. Otherwise they will get no support.

And on Friday was the worst, UEFA put their eggs behind a Jordanian stooge.

Literally, LITERALLY, FIFA is responsible for the deaths of hundreds and what will be thousands of basically slave workers in Qatar. Straight line from the decision to give the Cup to Qatar to those deaths. How does their good outweigh that?

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 2:51 pm

tennbengal wrote:
degenerasian wrote:I'm in the minority but I hope FIFA cleans up it's act. It does more good than bad. It's too bad the corrupt officials got too far, the naming of Russia and Qatar as hosts AT THE SAME TIME was ridiculous and way too greedy.

I hope Blatter doesn't fulfill his whole 4-year term and we get a good president.

Europe really needs to step up it's act or leave. But they haven't left because they are on their own. Europe has offered nothing to FIFA. They poo-poo everything, especially the World Club Cup. So they have this arrogance everyone hates.

It takes 105 votes to be FIFA president. UEFA has 54 members. They just need 51 more votes around the world. In the 30-40 odd years of Havelange and Blatter, UEFA have not been able to put forward a viable candidate to get 51 extra votes. They need to come up with some kind commitment to some kind global development. Otherwise they will get no support.

And on Friday was the worst, UEFA put their eggs behind a Jordanian stooge.
Literally, LITERALLY, FIFA is responsible for the deaths of hundreds and what will be thousands of basically slave workers in Qatar. Straight line from the decision to give the Cup to Qatar to those deaths. How does their good outweigh that?

Without a doubt the current members of FIFA are dirty but FIFA as an organization does more good than bad. Qatar is a member and they put in a bid. Hell Platini voted for Qatar and he's supposed to be the future savior.

The European members of FIFA have to take the lead, they need to become a viable option for the rest of the world.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 3:16 pm

degenerasian wrote:
tennbengal wrote:
degenerasian wrote:I'm in the minority but I hope FIFA cleans up it's act. It does more good than bad. It's too bad the corrupt officials got too far, the naming of Russia and Qatar as hosts AT THE SAME TIME was ridiculous and way too greedy.

I hope Blatter doesn't fulfill his whole 4-year term and we get a good president.

Europe really needs to step up it's act or leave. But they haven't left because they are on their own. Europe has offered nothing to FIFA. They poo-poo everything, especially the World Club Cup. So they have this arrogance everyone hates.

It takes 105 votes to be FIFA president. UEFA has 54 members. They just need 51 more votes around the world. In the 30-40 odd years of Havelange and Blatter, UEFA have not been able to put forward a viable candidate to get 51 extra votes. They need to come up with some kind commitment to some kind global development. Otherwise they will get no support.

And on Friday was the worst, UEFA put their eggs behind a Jordanian stooge.
Literally, LITERALLY, FIFA is responsible for the deaths of hundreds and what will be thousands of basically slave workers in Qatar. Straight line from the decision to give the Cup to Qatar to those deaths. How does their good outweigh that?
Without a doubt the current members of FIFA are dirty but FIFA as an organization does more good than bad. Qatar is a member and they put in a bid. Hell Platini voted for Qatar and he's supposed to be the future savior.

The European members of FIFA have to take the lead, they need to become a viable option for the rest of the world.

How in the world is this on them? The way that Blatter has the voting rigged, the Cayman Islands vote has as much weight as the German vote.

Again, FIFA is killing people. Killing them. So that good better be pretty fucking amazing at this point.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 3:36 pm

The executive committee (not the full membership) votes on World Cup sites. I don't recall ever seeing a breakdown of the votes, don't know if that is made public.

That French Guy · Post by **That French Guy** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 3:52 pm

Degen, you keep saying Europeans and South Amercians hate each others. I've never read anything to that extent (granted, not that it means much) but even if they do, who cares ? The bottom line is money and a WC without Europe will never bring anywhere close to what it is right now. Substract CONMEBOL and the show's over, NBC or BBC won't fork billions to broadcast Angola - Costa Rica.
Everyone was ok with giving Putin both Olympics and WC, not to mention the Qatari workers death mishap TB and others pointed out, so I don't think CONMEBOL will really hesitate for long because Platini and pals look down on them (of course, corrupt guys at the top of FA know they won't get as much money, which may be a huge factor I'm choosing to ignore right now)

In addition, forget about actual geography : right now Australia is playing for Asia and Israel for Europe. If tomorrow UEFA says to Mexico, USA and Japan : "ditch your weak-ass confederations* and come play with us in our brand new, corruption-free, world cup. Oh and by the way, now voting rights is related to population so you three guys are more important than Slovenia or Belgium**. And the next WC could be widespread on several countries just like Euro 2020 will, so you don't have to build 16 stadiums you don't need", how long before they sign on ? And when the latter two are on, there will be a sponsors stampede not far away and the FIFA money pot will dry out quite soon.

Not to mention the nuclear weapon of limiting non-UEFA countries players to 1 or 2 per team (not starting squad, team) so as to pressure most African countries to ditch FIFA. Or start really looking into that oh-so-convenient-italian-great-great-aunt that allows you to count as EU player.

UEFA could probably fucking kill FIFA by itself, add CONMEBOL and it's not even a fair fight. All they need is the balls to do it, and probably some huge money upfront.

* European patronizing added for emphasis, this does not reflect the POV of the author of this post
** this would lead to other problems but you see my point

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 4:11 pm

Seriously, fuck FIFA. That will be the name of the new association, btw: F-FIFA. Here's just one idea, off of my fuck Monday brain:

The European championship is compelling enough to draw millions of viewers and I'm sure close to a billion in sponsorship. You could structure a situation where the Euros play a "qualifying tournament." I'm not even getting into structure, but you are playing for the Euro crown and a certain amount of those teams qualify for the F-FIFA Most of the World Cup.

Every other FA in the confederations around the world could opt in and they could be in another qualification bracket. So, if Australia, New Zealand, Japan opt-in, they might be lined up with Egypt, Algeria and South Africa. Same thing in CONCACAF... Jamaica, Mexico, Canada and the US would get dropped in with whatever CONMEBOL teams opt-in. FIFA couldn't stop that, unless there's some hidden armed FIFA-force out there that's going to swoop in and seize and occupy venues.

Now you just throw them all in a seeded tournament (fuck those bullshit pots, btw) and they can have it.

Oh, and all the shit-ass, waste of space countries? The ones that literally don't even field teams (I'm looking at you Montserrat, assholes)? You guys can fuck off. You can play in what we'll call "F-FIFA's Shame Cup" and the winner gets to lineup against the top seed in the CONMEBOL-plus tournament. Oh, and you have to actually be a fucking country (again, Montserrat, you are assholes.)

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 4:23 pm

UEFA will never do that. They'll never ask anyone to join them, and nobody would join them anyways.

You have to remember initial history. The South Americans regard themselves as the creators of the World Cup. Yes a Frenchman created it but the First Tournament was born in Uruguay, the two time Olympic Champions. They will never give up the World Cup.

If it were that easy, UEFA would have ditched FIFA long ago. They've had 40 years to do it.
FIFA, for all of it's warts, is the world's protector. The world is paranoid about Europe and afraid that back in European hands FIFA wouldn't expand the global reach that it has in the last 40 years. The game would be concentrated in Europe. Heck the 1966 World Cup had one berth for Africa and Asia COMBINED!

Think of Havalange and Blatter as normal politicians. They have run campaigns based on promises and delivered on them.
Expand the World Cup from 16 to 24 to 32 (more places for the rest of the world)
Expand Youth tournaments and have them hosted in smaller countries (like New Zealand, Turkey and Colombia, last 3 U-20 hosts)
Expand Women's football
Sell a product called soccer and distribute the proceeds around the world

That's politics right? Know what your constituency wants, and deliver what they are happy to vote for time and time again.

UEFA have decided it's not electable.

ETA: nonlinear, why would UEFA bother? They don't give a shit about the World Club Cup they wouldn't give a shit about this either (especially if they have made all their money already), they would just declare themselves the Champs.

joeyclams · Post by **joeyclams** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 4:42 pm

This will never happen but WCs should only be given to countries that already have the infrastructure to host the tournament. have to spend money to update current stadiums and transportation, fine. have to spend billions to build stadiums and railways that probably won't be used post-WC, sorry, no WC for you.

i realize that FIFA are popular because they have expanded the game but how much money has been wasted expanding the game? and now with Qatar, how may deaths have happened trying to expand the game? i'm with TB on this, people are dying to bring a game to a country that could care less about it. That alone should be enough to oust Blatter. it's pretty sickening.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 4:52 pm

I agree, the corruption has gotten too far and Qatar is what led to the FBI investigation.
Qatar was a ridiculous thing that even I, a FIFA supporter, was sick to my stomach when it was announced.

But UEFA needs to come up with a solution. Do the dirty work to sway the voters. They are like the opposition government right now with 80-odd seats in a 210 seat house.

The rest of the world is sort of meh to corruption to begin with and as long as places like Myanmar gets to host an Asian U-19 tournament and qualify for the corresponding U-20 World Cup, they're thrilled with it.

That French Guy · Post by **That French Guy** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 5:03 pm

degenerasian wrote: Heck the 1966 World Cup had one berth for Africa and Asia COMBINED!

So ? because things were bad 50 years ago doesn't mean it would be the same now.

degenerasian wrote: Think of Havalange and Blatter as normal politicians.

And what do politicians need most ? Money. Which they won't have to the same extent if UEFA bails. Do you really think Havalange and Blatter expanded the WC roster because of altruism ? Or because it meant more money from TV/sponsors deals which they could use to better control FIFA since Bhutan = Germany (or raise their bonuses).

and expand women soccer ? Blatter, who advised them to wear tighter shorts ? Who couldn't even recognize Alex Morgan during a ceremony where she was one of the 3 finalists for FIFA Women's Player of the Year ? Just because something good happened on FIFA's watch doesn't mean it's to Blatter's credit or that he did on pure motives.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 5:12 pm

That French Guy wrote:
degenerasian wrote: Heck the 1966 World Cup had one berth for Africa and Asia COMBINED!
So ? because things were bad 50 years ago doesn't mean it would be the same now.

degenerasian wrote: Think of Havalange and Blatter as normal politicians.
And what do politicians need most ? Money. Which they won't have to the same extent if UEFA bails. Do you really think Havalange and Blatter expanded the WC roster because of altruism ? Or because it meant more money from TV/sponsors deals which they could use to better control FIFA since Bhutan = Germany (or raise their bonuses).

and expand women soccer ? Blatter, who advised them to wear tighter shorts ? Who couldn't even recognize Alex Morgan during a ceremony where she was one of the 3 finalists for FIFA Women's Player of the Year ? Just because something good happened on FIFA's watch doesn't mean it's to Blatter's credit or that he did on pure motives.

But if you've fought for something for 50 years, Africa had 5 berths now, from 0.5, CONCACAF has 3.5 from 1. You don't want to risk giving it back. UEFA, mostly by their attitude towards Confederations Cup and World Club Cup give the World a feeling of arrogance. All I'm saying is that UEFA needs to give solutions to garner support.

It was not Blatter. Havelange pushed for Women's football. The Women's First World Cup was hosted in China under little fanfare, won by the Americans. Europe didn't really care that much about it. Now it's grown into a major event and even it in the Olympics.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 5:19 pm

Nonlinear FC wrote:Seriously, fuck FIFA. That will be the name of the new association, btw: F-FIFA. Here's just one idea, off of my fuck Monday brain:

The European championship is compelling enough to draw millions of viewers and I'm sure close to a billion in sponsorship. You could structure a situation where the Euros play a "qualifying tournament." I'm not even getting into structure, but you are playing for the Euro crown and a certain amount of those teams qualify for the F-FIFA Most of the World Cup.

Every other FA in the confederations around the world could opt in and they could be in another qualification bracket. So, if Australia, New Zealand, Japan opt-in, they might be lined up with Egypt, Algeria and South Africa. Same thing in CONCACAF... Jamaica, Mexico, Canada and the US would get dropped in with whatever CONMEBOL teams opt-in. FIFA couldn't stop that, unless there's some hidden armed FIFA-force out there that's going to swoop in and seize and occupy venues.

Now you just throw them all in a seeded tournament (fuck those bullshit pots, btw) and they can have it.

Oh, and all the shit-ass, waste of space countries? The ones that literally don't even field teams (I'm looking at you Montserrat, assholes)? You guys can fuck off. You can play in what we'll call "F-FIFA's Shame Cup" and the winner gets to lineup against the top seed in the CONMEBOL-plus tournament. Oh, and you have to actually be a fucking country (again, Montserrat, you are assholes.)

Isn't this sort of what most international sports do. Davis Cup, Hockey, etc have levels of play with promotion and relegation. World Champs groups

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis_Cup# ... _structure" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/cham ... pionships/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That French Guy · Post by **That French Guy** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 5:35 pm

degenerasian wrote:But if you've fought for something for 50 years, Africa had 5 berths now, from 0.5, CONCACAF has 3.5 from 1. You don't want to risk giving it back. UEFA, mostly by their attitude towards Confederations Cup and World Club Cup give the World a feeling of arrogance. All I'm saying is that UEFA needs to give solutions to garner support.

UEFA is not dumb and probably as greedy as FIFA, though better at covering-up. More teams = more money. Euro 2016 will have 24 teams (that is dumb BTW). I'm not saying they would keep the berths as it is but if you plan to secede, you know you have to give other countries incentives to join you.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 5:44 pm

That French Guy wrote:
degenerasian wrote:But if you've fought for something for 50 years, Africa had 5 berths now, from 0.5, CONCACAF has 3.5 from 1. You don't want to risk giving it back. UEFA, mostly by their attitude towards Confederations Cup and World Club Cup give the World a feeling of arrogance. All I'm saying is that UEFA needs to give solutions to garner support.
UEFA is not dumb and probably as greedy as FIFA, though better at covering-up. More teams = more money. Euro 2016 will have 24 teams (that is dumb BTW). I'm not saying they would keep the berths as it is but if you plan to secede, you know you have to give other countries incentives to join you.

yeah that are doing the same thing at Europe level. Expand the tournament to 24 and eventually 32. That's really dumb. In the Champions League in the 3rd round have the small country champions play each other and the non-champions play each other. Next year's Champions League, the 7 big league champions will be seeded. Russia is 7th. Yes Zenit will be seeded, Real Madrid will not.

What will the super teams do? break away? There's been as much talk of a European Super League as there is UEFA breaking away from FIFA. Will never happen.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 9:10 am

Blatter's top lieutenant named in bribe allegations:

http://screamer.deadspin.com/sepp-blatt ... 1708405196" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A 4th grader could have connected those particular dots leading to Valcke.

Johnny Carwash · Post by **Johnny Carwash** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 9:35 am

I don't doubt that someone that close to Blatter was up to no good, but I have limited trust in reporters who feel compelled to lead their tweets with "BOMBSHELL."

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 9:56 am

wlu_lax6 wrote:
Nonlinear FC wrote:Seriously, fuck FIFA. That will be the name of the new association, btw: F-FIFA. Here's just one idea, off of my fuck Monday brain:

The European championship is compelling enough to draw millions of viewers and I'm sure close to a billion in sponsorship. You could structure a situation where the Euros play a "qualifying tournament." I'm not even getting into structure, but you are playing for the Euro crown and a certain amount of those teams qualify for the F-FIFA Most of the World Cup.

Every other FA in the confederations around the world could opt in and they could be in another qualification bracket. So, if Australia, New Zealand, Japan opt-in, they might be lined up with Egypt, Algeria and South Africa. Same thing in CONCACAF... Jamaica, Mexico, Canada and the US would get dropped in with whatever CONMEBOL teams opt-in. FIFA couldn't stop that, unless there's some hidden armed FIFA-force out there that's going to swoop in and seize and occupy venues.

Now you just throw them all in a seeded tournament (fuck those bullshit pots, btw) and they can have it.

Oh, and all the shit-ass, waste of space countries? The ones that literally don't even field teams (I'm looking at you Montserrat, assholes)? You guys can fuck off. You can play in what we'll call "F-FIFA's Shame Cup" and the winner gets to lineup against the top seed in the CONMEBOL-plus tournament. Oh, and you have to actually be a fucking country (again, Montserrat, you are assholes.)

Isn't this sort of what most international sports do. Davis Cup, Hockey, etc have levels of play with promotion and relegation. World Champs groups

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis_Cup# ... _structure" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/cham ... pionships/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yeah, I didn't say I was reinventing the wheel... I was much more pleased with my innovative branding ideas.

I think the issue with a two or even three tiered system is that there are probably close to 40 teams outside of UEFA that can compete, to some degree, at the World Cup. Japan, for example is sitting at 50 right now, Australia is at 62.

When you look at hockey, once you get past the top 5 or 6... Korea(!) just won the second tier at IIHF, muscling out the Brits for promotion. You go down to Division 2? Holy hot mess... Australia, Spain, Serbia...

Kind of the same for tennis, with only 16 teams in the World Group, and once you look past the top 20, things really fall off.

So, my idea is completely impractical and counterproductive. Still, fuck FIFA.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 9:59 am

Nonlinear FC wrote:Seriously, fuck FIFA. That will be the name of the new association, btw: F-FIFA. Here's just one idea, off of my fuck Monday brain:

The European championship is compelling enough to draw millions of viewers and I'm sure close to a billion in sponsorship. You could structure a situation where the Euros play a "qualifying tournament." I'm not even getting into structure, but you are playing for the Euro crown and a certain amount of those teams qualify for the F-FIFA Most of the World Cup.

Every other FA in the confederations around the world could opt in and they could be in another qualification bracket. So, if Australia, New Zealand, Japan opt-in, they might be lined up with Egypt, Algeria and South Africa. Same thing in CONCACAF... Jamaica, Mexico, Canada and the US would get dropped in with whatever CONMEBOL teams opt-in. FIFA couldn't stop that, unless there's some hidden armed FIFA-force out there that's going to swoop in and seize and occupy venues.

Now you just throw them all in a seeded tournament (fuck those bullshit pots, btw) and they can have it.

Oh, and all the shit-ass, waste of space countries? The ones that literally don't even field teams (I'm looking at you Montserrat, assholes)? You guys can fuck off. You can play in what we'll call "F-FIFA's Shame Cup" and the winner gets to lineup against the top seed in the CONMEBOL-plus tournament. Oh, and you have to actually be a fucking country (again, Montserrat, you are assholes.)

I could see something like this playing out. If UEFA pulled out of FIFA, they would take a lot of sponsorship money away from FIFA. Given the choice of a UEFA/CONMEBOL World Cup versus the remaining countries in a World Cup, I think the US and many other large countries would opt out of FIFA. The FAs are going to follow the money, and if there is enough weight to come close to swinging towards a new system, some bigger FAs would jump. The major support from FIFA comes from Africa, Asia and the smallest FAs (some not even countries), because they get enormous (for their size) payouts and equal power as the superpowers. I can't imagine the US not joining with Europe and South America rather than staying with Africa, Asia and Oceania. Mexico would be even more likely to join CONMEBOL, and without the US and Mexico, are Honduras, Costa Rica, Jamaica and mid-level CONCACAF FAs going to stay? I could see North African nations joining with UEFA as well. Are Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco going to want to stick with Africa if given the chance to join the European countries?

Given the choice, I think sponsors would want to associate with the new, potential future power. Get in early, rather than stay with the weakening corrupt cesspool of epic criminal fraud. The developed world, the people with spending power, are a much more desirable market than Africa and Oceania. This is wishful thinking for sure, but it could happen. Most likely scenario is FIFA is forced to clean up their act in light of all of the indictments. FIFA appears to have done a comically inept job covering their fraud, embezzlement and crimes, so I am sure a ton of smoking guns are going to turn up. The guys are too cocky and arrogant to believe they would ever be indicted, and they got away with it for decades. When you look at guys like Jack Warner, he is a fucking moron! No way he was smart enough to destroy evidence. Sure, they probably deleted files, but I'd be shocked if the DOJ isn't able to easily pull out incriminating files off their hard drives.

As for Warner's video citing the Onion article, I am in complete shock at his idiocy. It's one thing not to know the Onion, but how could he possibly begin to believe FIFA could, or would, organize a World Cup for 2015? How many years does it take? FAs could suddenly change all of their plans to play in a spur of the moment WC? Copa America? Euro Cup qualifiers? Fuck it, spur of the moment WC! Like John Oliver said, the fact that a former VP of FIFA would believe FIFA would do something this insane for corrupt purposes says a lot about the organization. Just mind blowingly shocking stupidity. Warner didn't think to check the accuracy of such a crazy article? Wouldn't something that enormous be written about on a second website? I seriously can't comprehend all the layers of stupidity.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 10:05 am

Johnny Carwash wrote:I don't doubt that someone that close to Blatter was up to no good, but I have limited trust in reporters who feel compelled to lead their tweets with "BOMBSHELL."

You can read the letter yourself. It's in the same post.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 10:09 am

Yes if UEFA/CONMEBOL join forces then FIFA is dead.

I can't see it though. CONMEBOL started this whole anti-UEFA campaign in the 70s and got Asia's and Africa's support. The World Cup is much more important for South Americans than Europeans.

However, if times have changed and there is no longer an anti-UEFA bias, there are two questions.

A) Would UEFA allow CONMEBOL in?
B) Would UEFA/CONMEBOL allow the rest in?

If the answer to A and B are both yes, why bother starting an elitist organization that shuts out small countries? Just fix FIFA and get these crooks out, the infrastructure is already there around the world. UEFA needs a proper electable option, and it's not Platini.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 10:10 am

The US will be let in just for broadcasting rights. Which means Canada and Mexico will be in at a bare minimum. Probably Austrailia, too.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 10:13 am

AB_skin_test wrote:The US will be let in just for broadcasting rights. Which means Canada and Mexico will be in at a bare minimum. Probably Austrailia, too.

Think so? South America needs American and Mexican dollars, I don't think UEFA does. And it's not just international football, how do you revamp Champions League across 70 odd countries? Are Chelsea going to go Columbus on a Wednesday night?

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 10:15 am

degenerasian wrote:
AB_skin_test wrote:The US will be let in just for broadcasting rights. Which means Canada and Mexico will be in at a bare minimum. Probably Austrailia, too.
Think so? South America needs American and Mexican dollars, I don't think UEFA does. And it's not just international football, how do you revamp Champions League across 70 odd countries? Are Chelsea going to go Rio on a Wednesday night?

There's no harm in it. Get billions of dollars in broadcast and ad revenue, no real chance of losing to them, or at least no more than there already was.

And no, Club football will be fine. Maybe a global winter break, but that's about all I could see.

rass · Post by **rass** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 10:27 am

tennbengal wrote:Blatter's top lieutenant named in bribe allegations:

http://screamer.deadspin.com/sepp-blatt ... 1708405196" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A 4th grader could have connected those particular dots leading to Valcke.

"South African Diaspora Legacy Programme"

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 10:39 am

degenerasian wrote:
AB_skin_test wrote:The US will be let in just for broadcasting rights. Which means Canada and Mexico will be in at a bare minimum. Probably Austrailia, too.
Think so? South America needs American and Mexican dollars, I don't think UEFA does. And it's not just international football, how do you revamp Champions League across 70 odd countries? Are Chelsea going to go Columbus on a Wednesday night?

Why would they have to add MLS and South American leagues to the Champions League? Have a joint World Cup, but no need to intermingle club leagues from the New World. I picture smaller regional confederations under the umbrella of a world governing body, much like it is now.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 11:03 am

Johnny Carwash wrote:I don't doubt that someone that close to Blatter was up to no good, but I have limited trust in reporters who feel compelled to lead their tweets with "BOMBSHELL."

I believe that was someone with the British press--all of their articles start with BOMBSHELL.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 11:09 am

Rex wrote:
Johnny Carwash wrote:I don't doubt that someone that close to Blatter was up to no good, but I have limited trust in reporters who feel compelled to lead their tweets with "BOMBSHELL."

I believe that was someone with the British press--all of their articles start with BOMBSHELL.

Including Page 3 pictures of giant-titted girls.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 11:56 am

Shit. Blatter resigns!

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Tue Jun 02, 2015 11:58 am

BOMBSHELL