Our favourite 'champion of the game' and esteemed President of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, has actually done England a favour for once and cleared the way toward us making a bid to host the World Cup in 2018. He is suggesting an end to the current rotational policy between the various global football associations that currently dictates where the tournament is staged. This has naturally been opposed by executive committee member of Concacaf (and who could only be American with this name), Chuck Blazer, as rotation should decree that it be held in North or Central America. In other words, being totally realistic, the USA. And, of course, Chuck is not going to give up the chance to attract all that sponsorship revenue and the boost to the MLS.
For once RTG is in agreement with Sepp Blatter, if only because it is farcical for the competitive nature of the bidding process when only one nation in three of the major football associations can even hope to host it - namely, Brazil in South America, the USA in North America and South Africa in Africa (and they, reportedly, are struggling). As you'd expect from RTG, we fear also that a US bid will regurgitate some of the issues that concern us greatly such as: extended half-times, four quarters, larger goals and, of course, rampant commercialisation.
But this highlights one area only where the World Cup is falling short as the most popular sporting spectacle on the planet. Currently you have a situation where, in Europe, (where new countries are being created at a rate that will keep cartographers in gainful employment well into the next century) you have 62 nations fighting for 13 places (in 2006). This despite having 21 of the top 32 teams in the FIFA World Rankings. The USA and Mexico effectively get a bye straight into the finals, as do Argentina and Brazil though they have to play 18 games to achieve it. Plus, they can end up with five places from just 10 teams. Europe is clearly the strongest continent in World football, and looks to remain so for the foreseeable future and yet, because of the archaic and political machinations of FIFA, the quality of the tournament is being compromised. Whereas, of course, it should be the highest quality of football anywhere. Nowadays, the Champions League is easily of a much higher standard.
With so many nationalities now playing football all over the globe, the time has surely come for a rationalisation and reorganisation of international football tournaments and fixtures - removing the geographical element of qualiying groups. That is, pick qualifying groups based on seedings and world rankings.
We have to now be looking at reorganising groups in order that we get the 32 best nations in what is the World Championship of football. We should have some form of pre-qualifying for the smaller nations. It seems ludicrous that qualifying for the major football tournament in the World could come down to having to beat Lichtenstein by 8 goals. OK, we admit we're still bitter about losing out to Italy in 1978 because we didn't beat Luxembourg by enough goals. But the point is very valid.
In 1974, England failed to reach West Germany after losing out to Poland in a group that contained just three teams. Contrast that with the current Euro 2008 qualifying groups of seven to eight countries. Which means we played four games in 1974 to qualify and now we have to play a minimum of 12. Surely we should be looking to play less games not more (from a sporting not commercial point of view). This might mean Wembley has to host a few more NFL matches or Giant Wheel Monster Truck racing events but so be it.
In addition, with groups that are based on ability and not specific geographic areas, and playing less games, we should be able to co-ordinate national and international schedules more effectively. South Americans based in Europe have to be away 18 times during qualification. With the Club versus Country issue brewing, surely this would be an excellent compromise in addressing the needs of both national and club interests. Watch out for more of this come the African Nations Cup in the new year (ridiculously, still played every two years). If our aim is to improve African football, why are we giving top clubs every reason not to recruit African players? A point already made by Sir Alex Ferguson by not having any in his current squad.
We're sure people will find many reasons for dismissing these ideas - not least because it will involve fewer qualifying matches and less revenue. We're not saying we have all the answers but the point is that currently they're not even being debated. If there is only one thing we should do with immediate effect it is to get rid of these pointless, mickey mouse confederations cups in between tournament years that just heap more unnecessary matches on tired players and a fatigued supporter base - or as the new football oligarchy would like us to be known, "GUESTS".
RTG - The Weekend's Events
Hats Off. Take a Bow (or not)!
Player of the Week - Cesc Fabregas. Top scorer in the Premiership from midfield and rescued a point for Arsenal. Frankie. You know what you've got to do.
Hero of the Week - Martin Jol's nephew. The only person who appeared to have the balls to tell him what was going on. i.e. that he'd been sacked (in a crowd of 36,000).
Villain of the Week - Daniel Levy. In amongst news of his inevitable dismissal, we hear that 'his recruits' for this season's assault on fourth place were actually not his choice at all. Spurs put their money where their mouth was. But whose mouth? Certainly not the manager's who has paid the ultimate price. Levy's pathetic attempts to justify his and his board's conduct during this period is incredible and cannot possibly instil confidence in the board from the supporters. RTG says, "sack the board". Oh! Unfortunately they can't!
Shock of the Week - Besiktas beating Liverpool. Leaving aside the comedy defending, they were the only English club to lose in the Champions League this week.
Cliche of the Week - I'm totally committed to continuing to help and seeing out the remainder of my contract.
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