VoiceOfReason wrote: ↑Thu May 31, 2018 4:05 pm
Nos89 wrote: ↑Tue May 29, 2018 11:22 pm
I'd put money on them winning 2022 world cup. Not in Qatar as it will be taken away from them.
Nothing personal, but doesn't this sentiment come out in advance of pretty much every World Cup these days? 2014 was going to be taken away from Brazil because workers were dying and the stadiums weren't ready, 2018 was going to be taken away from Russia because of all kinds of political and doping-related reasons, and I'm sure South Africa's hosting in 2010 was called into question too.
Has any World Cup actually
not been held in the country it's been awarded to? I mean, I don't want to see it in Qatar either, but FIFA would probably open themselves up to all sorts of lawsuits if they suddenly withdraw hosting rights after the country has made significant investments in stadiums, amenities etc.
Plus Sepp and Michel would have to give their cash back, which they're probably not up for.
You're probably right but only a couple of weeks ago another investigation has been launched into the Qatar's bid process.
Brazil was under threat because they weren't going to be ready on time, and it came very close as Spain was put on standby to hold the tournament. Russia was never under threat, it was only politics and the talk of countries boycotting Russia, not foul play, that threatened their world cup. That threat ceased when USA failed to qualify.
This is the third investigation and clearly there is something wrong with their bidding process, or major corporations wanting to move it because of the potential loss of revenue. Despite the huge cost to FIFA moving the tournament elsewhere, I'm sure they'd get the money back in sponsorship deals from leading alcoholic beverage corporations that, and I'm not sure on this, may lose out because of drinking restrictions in Qatar.
And of course, the major restructuring of domestic football worldwide to fit in a winter world cup. Imagine the compensation the major TV companies that pay huge sums to show football will be after if it impacts their scheduling. Sky/ BT sport must take in millions of new subscribers over the Christmas period when nearly a quarter of all league fixtures are squeezed into one month. Sky cannot show the world cup because they are a subscription only channel. Given the global attraction of the Premier League and La Liga FIFA would struggle to move the world cup to winter. The summer in Qatar could well see players striking because the heat would be life threatening to them.