Matthew Hall
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2018: Get Dirty For The Beautiful Game
Two potentially self-destructive events have given Australia's 2018 World Cup bid a little nudge.
Manchester's streets more resembled downtown Fallujah after Wednesday night's UEFA Cup Final between Glasgow Rangers from Scotland and Russia's Zenit-St Petersburg.
But instead of a battle between US Marines and insurgents, Manchester copped rioting Glasgow Rangers fans who attacked police with such ferocity that one officer had a radio ear piece embedded in his head.
You can read one police officer's account of the night here.
Let me get this in early before the anti-football brigade hijacks any discussion - the trigger for violence was not Rangers' 2-0 loss to Zenit.
The mob of drunken Scots, men and women, went on the rampage because a giant TV screen erected in Manchester's city centre malfunctioned. What was intended as a city centre party for 10,000 ticketless fans turned into a riot. As you do.
Technicians attempting to fix the screen were pelted with garbage. Not unreasonably, they downed tools and probably went home to watch the game.
A day's worth of beer didn't help, either. Some of the mob had been drinking since breakfast and were so drunk by kick-off that, when the screen blacked out, they were unable to comprehend instructions or directions to a different screen that had been set up as Plan B.
So off they went, leaving a trail of beer-bellied destruction across Greater Manchester.
Their behaviour is even more intriguing because Scottish fans traveling abroad, at least to support their national team, are usually exceptionally behaved.
At the 1998 World Cup in France, I sat under the Eiffel Tower and watched men dressed in kilts and red Braveheart wigs embrace Argentine fans and sing songs together praising Diego Maradona.
Maradona's Hand of God "goal" against England in 1986 was enough to qualify him as a Scottish folk hero, it seemed.
Yet a few weeks later, after Argentina beat England on penalties, I ran with the local gendarmerie - and imported undercover British police - as they chased rioting English fans through the streets of St Etienne.
The Scots? They'd gone home long ago or were sleeping off hangovers under the Arc de Triomphe.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, himself from Glasgow's Govan like Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, was aghast at Wednesday night's scenes.
"I want to do everything to avoid us being put in a position where we might be at risk of an application for the 2018 World Cup not being acceptable because of this," he said.
In plain English: "Jesus bloody Christ, you lot. Are you stupid, or what? Let's pray that this, and anything similar in the future, doesn't screw up England's bid for 2018."
Tedious yobs aside, more intriguing are maneuvers within UEFA, European football's governing body, around 2018.
Just as the Asian Football Confederation will only back one bid from our region for 2018 - China is our powerful and impressive local rival - the Europeans will support just one bid from their own powerhouse.
Or at least that's what UEFA president Michel Platini, a smart, politically savvy, respected ex-footballer, told the England FA last week when he said he doesn't want to see a brawl between European bidding nations over 2018.
Across Europe, interested parties include a combined Dutch and Belgian bid and more recently Spain, at the suggestion of FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
Russia, however, is looming as England's heavyweight regional rival and a recent decline in political relations between the two countries may make a battle for 2018 very interesting.
Yes, a World Cup really does carry that much weight.
Platini, who has huge influence within FIFA, has privately said that he won't even consider personally backing one European bid until consensus is reached. And that is for the bidding nations to sort out among themselves.
But what does this mean for Australia?
It depends how dirty Football Federation Australia want to get.
England, without doubt, would be a formidable opponent for our own bid if it gets the nod from Europe.
But how would we fare against Russia?
Or Spain?
Sepp Blatter and FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke arrive in Sydney later this week and will attend Australia's friendly with Ghana as FFA's guests.
FFA is hoping for a sell-out to demonstrate that Australians - especially in Sydney - turn out to support their national team and would do so again at a World Cup.
A good crowd is important but not as crucial as how Australia's bid wranglers play politics, especially over the following few days ahead of the FIFA Congress on May 29 and 30.
They might like to remind Blatter, a friend to all when the occasion warrants, about comments he made to me back in 2005 at that year's FIFA Congress in Marrakech, Morocco, where an Australian bid for 2018 was first floated.
We can shake our heads with a tsk, tsk, tsk, at the unrest in England but we might also consider having a quiet word with the Russians during the upcoming FIFA Congress in Sydney.
Guus Hiddink may be coach of their national team but we might benefit if the Russians become our new best friends.
If we want to roll up our sleeves and get dirty, that is.
You can bet that everyone else making a bid will be.
Oh, and another thing. The English FA Cup Final is on this weekend. You may have missed it. That's OK. It's a sign of Australia's developing football maturity that an imported event is no longer a highlight of the local sporting calendar. Kids, unlike generations that came before, you may now sleep all the way through Saturday night. Or just record it off the TV.
COMMENTS
Gordon Brown is fae Kirkaldy ya ken Matt. Dee ye research pal.
Born in Govan. Grew up in Kirkaldy. You're Govan 'til death. MH
- by jim on May 18, 2008 at 02:40 AM
you're dreaming, Australia ain't hosting nothing, we're just an insignificant blip on the other side of the world
- by Sam on May 18, 2008 at 03:29 AM
If we put as much money into it as our extremist christian goverment is putting into world youth day then we'd be a shoe in!!
- by Grant on May 18, 2008 at 09:28 AM
football is a business and the world cup is a product, one thing FIFA looks at is the legacy it will leave in the host country but im sure as with all businesses the main motivating factor will be where the product can spin the most money, so you would think that on capability to spin big $$$ China would have to be a leader as a huge emerging market as would playing in Europe Based on TimeZoness being primetime TV friendly
so fingers crossed we can pull it off and nick it off them based soley on the fact were Australia so were cooler then europe we will need to put all the shrimp we can find on the barby and sell everybit of cheezy Australiana we can find to get our bid across the line just imagine a kangaroo scrotum coin purse with the world cup logo on it... pure gold ;0)
- by sean on May 18, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Not sure why a bunch of Scots rioting in England should jeopardise England's World Cup bid. Scots are essentially foreigners visiting England - and that's how they see themselves too.
When English fans killed Juventus fans at Heysel, it was quite rightly the English clubs who were penalised. If English fans riot in Moscow this Wednesday, then penalise England. But Scotland is a separate country in football terms (and should be a separate nation-state, in my opinion). If English fans rioted in Scotland and the Scottish FA copped some penalty as a result, I hate to imagine the extent of the bleating from Scots.
The situation is further confused by the fact that Rangers fans have always insisted on draping themselves in that ill-designed mongrel flag, the Union Jack, to flaunt their rabid sectarian dogma.
Too much confusion between England, Scotland, Britain and The UK. Full independence for England, Scotland and Wales is the only answer to this perennial problem. And while we're at it, for heaven's sake make Northern Ireland Irish again, as it always should have been.
- by Geordie on May 18, 2008 at 10:33 AM
you're dreaming, Australia ain't hosting nothing, we're just an insignificant blip on the other side of the world
by Sam on May 18, 2008 at 03:29 AM
Er, Sam, if we "ain't hosting nothing", then we are hosting something.
Regardless of wheather we get the World Cup or not, even participating in the process raises Australia's profile within FIFA enormously. A failed bid would also set us up for a potential winning bid 4 or 8 years later.
We just may need to be patient and take a long term view to win the 2nd biggest sporting prize of them all (actually winning the Worl Cup being the biggest).
- by Rustry0256 on May 18, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Having gotten a kicking from a Ranger fan near Wembley before and England v Ireland game in 1991 (Scotland weren't even playing), I'm not the least bit surprised.
I'd love a World Cup in Oz - besides anything else the June weather would mean those teams from colder countries would avoid having to cope with the June heat of the likes of Marseille, Miami or... Moscow.
- by Dev on May 18, 2008 at 12:06 PM
'insignificant blip'???
The best Olympics ever was only 8 years ago Sam!
Hands up who wants to see the best World Cup ever!
FIFA may declare Australia permanent hosts of the World Cup if they ever come down here!!
- by Steve on May 18, 2008 at 01:08 PM
"you're dreaming, Australia ain't hosting nothing, we're just an insignificant blip on the other side of the world"
So those global sporting shenanigans in Sydney back in 2000 just passed you by, eh mate?...
- by Leroy on May 18, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Really Sam? Pretty sure we had the damn Olympics here not too long ago...
Or is that "ain't hosting nothing"....
- by Adrian on May 18, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Hey Sam, that's what they said about the Olympics. Further, despite what the erroneous FIFA rankings are saying, Australia has performed at a high level for 10 years or more now, and should be in with as good a chance as anyone. We have the stadia and the volunteers. The only thing that will cruel our chances are live television timings. It is the curse of being in this timezone.
- by Michael on May 18, 2008 at 05:32 PM
Two points I'd like to illustrate:
1. The task at hand: Australia's bid = never going to happen because the time differences would mean most of the world would find it difficult to watch (and thus the BIG advertising revenue wont happen). Unlike the Olypmpics - football fans are so passionate, they arent going to settle for re-plays - they'll want it live
I'm sure an Aussie bid would be a good one. But out-bidding China - a new powerhouse? England - the home of the game? Spain - with one of the best leagues in the world? I dont think so...
2. The amount of anti-English statements in these weekly blogs are a discredit to Matt's professional credibility. Russia/Argentina being a friend of Aus because they are at odds with England? Do I also need to point out that the rioting fans in Manchester were NOT English? The other incidents were 20-odd years ago (and most footballing countres have hooligans! Australia is suprisingly the well behaved bunch).
More to the point - BLATTER tells every country what they want to hear (except England) - so we've definately got a friend there...
- by monkeyboy on May 18, 2008 at 05:42 PM
We dont have the stadiums to host a world cup... it's as simple as that!!
- by sparky the eel on May 18, 2008 at 06:15 PM
You'd do better with less cheap slagging of all things English and focused instead on building up the Australian game. But maybe that's just too much hard work. Have you noticed "football violence" in any other place than the UK by the way? What Australia still lacks is a real deep seated football culture and support of teams - it will come with time and that will be great, but not through the tedious sport of Pom bashing
- by Craig van Fostinho on May 18, 2008 at 06:16 PM
It is a big ask for Australia to even seriously be considered to host the World Cup. Having said that, if we successfully host the World Club Championships and AFC Asia Cup what's to say FIFA won't award it to us?
- by David Cook on May 18, 2008 at 06:19 PM
>>the trigger for violence was not Rangers' 2-0 loss to Zenit.
No it wasn't. And it wasn't a broken TV either.
It was stupidity. The guys in the photos on your website (getting bitten buy police dogs) are in their 50s. Can you imagine your father (or grandfather) being involved in something like that? Or seeing that at an AFL match?
Its not all soccer fans, but don;t make excuses for these scum, who were GUESTS in another city and trashed it. They deserve the beatings they got.
When Celtic got to Europe their fans were voted best in the competition when they lost the same game several years ago.
- by Michael on May 18, 2008 at 06:45 PM
FIFA isn't like the Olympics. As corrupt as the Olympics might be, the Soccer world cup makes it look like a children's chior. That's why the Olympics is far bigger an even that the soccer world cup.
When (if) Australia becomes a soccer powerhouse, and a guaranteed world cup qualifier every time, the door may open. But heck, Blatta went back on his word, and we can't play the politics to get IN the final 32.
Besides, origin's on this week. All else pales. I head Blatta's going for the Maroons too. Dog.
- by Misty Bee on May 18, 2008 at 07:01 PM
We may be a blip,
yet we've held in recent years
the 2000 olympics, the 2006 commonwealth games, and soon to be WYD. All those events are nothing to frown at.
But even i must admit, hosting the FIFA World Cup, is a slim chance.
- by Nigel Fam on May 18, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Hate to say it but we're probably still a few years and a few high profile tournament showings away from launching a successful World Cup bid. Let's stick to just making it to South Africa for the time being shall we?
- by onamission on May 18, 2008 at 09:28 PM
When the world would like to see how to put on a world class event with the right level of pomp and lashing of good sportsmanship and comaraderie you can not beat Australia as a host nation. We should co bid with New Zealand as they are equally qualified to participate as a host nation.
- by stephen on May 18, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Matt, I know you know your football, but surely you know a lot or Rangers fans consider themselves British, rather than Scottish. The Tartan Army is made primarily of supporters from the smaller clubs. Massive difference.
Yes. MH.
- by Shane on May 18, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Reportedly, up to 200,000 Rangers fans (not all of them Scottish) went to Manchester and there were 42 arrests. There's probably as much arrest in any UK town on a Friday night. Heavens, it may even happen in Sydney.
Just another moral outrage for the media and the armchair-bound naive to work themselves into a moral lather about - I picture you Michael, sitting there, drawing such firm conclusions of pictures of a 50+ man with his wife being bitten by a Police dog (you have all the answers). Oh yes Michael, of course, it would never happen with 200,000 Celtic fans. Completely a different breed of course. Grow up.
Put things in perspective. The vast majority of Rangers fans, were well behaved and good natured. I can't believe the sad ill-informed comments, based on convenient cultural stereotypes, that imply it was because the fans were Scottish or because they were Rangers fans. Nonsense.
- by Nick on May 19, 2008 at 09:22 AM
Australia CAN and MUST attempt to host it - if only to have some more world experience playing the WORLD game with those teams/countries worthy enough to compete in the finals. i.e Else, we will never get better. Host the games, watch the worlds best and learn to not be so insulated and sore loosers as the english are. But also learn from those hooligans at how important REAL football is to the world. The round ball is REAL football - if not only by name, by action.
- by TMontana on May 19, 2008 at 09:32 AM
"Matt, I know you know your football, but surely you know a lot or Rangers fans consider themselves British, rather than Scottish." Shane
Absolute ill-informed nonsense. Being Scottish and British (I think you mean UK -Britain is the geographical term) is not a contradiction; Scotland is part of the UK; the Union Flag is our flag, it incorporates the St. Andrews cross.
Rangers, club and fans, wholeheartedly support Scotland - they pride themselves as a Scottish club (lion rampant badge, saltire on shirts) Theorectically, Celtic's identity is as Irish - shamrock badge, Irish tricolour flag.
However, theory annd other alleginaces aside aside, in reality Rangers and Celtic fans unite in support of Scotland.
- by Nick on May 19, 2008 at 10:44 AM
I remember when I had visions of a Soccer World Cup being held in Australia and everyone saying in your dreams, never likely. Yet, here we are thinking about the 2018 Cup and I think, crikey, we've come a long way, and maybe, just maybe, I can see the Cup being held here in my lifetime. WOW!!!!!!
- by muzzy on May 19, 2008 at 11:55 AM
The time zone will be less of a problem than people think. Japan/Sth Korea WC demonstrated this.
Stadia will be the real issue, as a city hosting a bid really needs two stadia to host group games either simultaneously or in close succession. Sydney and Melbourne could do this - possibly even manage to host two groups each. Brisbane could manage one (just) but Perth and Adelaide??
The Germany 06 showed the value in shuttling teams around to different venues at the group stage but that would be a stretch too far for our distances.
This is what FFA need to sort out, and sort quick if we are to have a chance of winning the bid.
Anything that Sepp "blather" Blatter says or more importantly, promises, during his visit here should also be treated with instant suspicion.
The bid will be win or lost when it comes to the horse trading with regional football blocs and individual nations.
- by Crisp on May 19, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Australia has NO CHANCE of hosting the World Cup. It simply doesnt have the facilities & simply cant compete with other bids. End of story.
- by Keith Power on May 19, 2008 at 12:45 PM
For the same reason that Melbourne will lose the F1 Grand Prix we won't win the World Cup rights...
Why??? European and UK TV rights -- this is where the money is -- and the big money is for the prime time evening rights.
OK so
7pm London time = 4am Sydney time.
Even
10pm London time = 7am Sydney time.
How about that - World Cup Final kicks off at 7am Sydney time.
Maybe when China and India can boast similar sized tv revenues, but then they will just do an IPL and take the hosting rights (and the players) themselves
- by Matt A on May 19, 2008 at 04:01 PM
We didn't have too much trouble converting wasteland in Homebush into a world standard Olympic venue (may be even setting the world standard?) and as such I'm sure there are other waste lands out there prime for developing into great world class soccer stadiums.
The issue is not facilities/venues. This great sporting nation can deliver.
The issue is and always will be politics and we all know what they say about "a week in politics"........well a decade is even longer , and anything can happen. Stay tuned !!
- by Nick Missikos on May 19, 2008 at 11:04 PM
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Great blog Matt!
If Australia wants to make a serious bid for the World Cup then they have to get down and dirty. I hope we can put on a good show for FIFA.