FIFA: backup Cup hosts available

[way2goeh]

LONDON (AP) - Several other countries are capable of hosting the 2010 World Cup if South Africa isn't ready, FIFA president Sepp Blatter says.

The United States, England, Japan, Spain, Mexico and Australia would all be ready to step in, Blatter said in the BBC's "Inside Sport" program to be broadcast Monday night.

Also in the interview, Blatter said he continues to back the policy of rotating World Cup hosts - meaning the 2018 edition likely will be in Asia.

Blatter said he is confident South Africa will host the 2010 tournament, but that FIFA has contingency plans in place in case of organizational delays.

"It was the same case in Germany," Blatter said. "Something can happen: a natural catastrophe or whatever, a big change in society - everybody against football.

"But then for the time being the Plan B is South Africa, and the Plan C we definitely must have a possibility to go somewhere else, but it must be a natural catastrophe."

Asked whether England or Australia were possible backups, Blatter said, "Yes, but there are other countries that are ready to organize tomorrow morning or in two days, or two months, a World Cup.

"The United States of America, and Mexico, they can do it, Japan, they can do it. They have enough stadia. You say England can do it, and I am sure. Spain, they can do it. There is a lot of countries, but they don't need to be ready."

South Africa was picked by FIFA in 2004 as the first African country to stage the World Cup. Concerns over venue construction, security and other issues have raised doubts over whether the country will be ready.

Meanwhile, FIFA will decide later this year whether to continue its policy of rotating continents for the soccer showcase.

The 2014 World Cup will be held in South America, with Brazil the only candidate.

While North America would be next in line, Blatter said he considers North and South America as one continent. That would mean the 2018 championship would go to Asia.

"Personally I think that we should maintain a rotation," Blatter said. "At least with four continents. To take North and South America as one continent, Europe, Africa and Asia.

"This would mean that the next World Cup after 2014 would go to Asia."

The United States, which hosted the World Cup in 1994, plans to bid for 2018. The British government says it would back a bid by England, which hosted the 1966 championship.

Blatter, who is unopposed in his bid for a third term as FIFA president, is expected to be re-elected later this month through 2011. In the BBC interview, he hinted he would support UEFA president Michel Platini as his eventual successor.

"There are other candidates, but I think this is a possibility," Blatter said. "Because he now has a career as a footballer, he was co-president of the organizing committee of the 1998 World Cup, he is a vice-president of French Football, he is on the executive of FIFA and UEFA, and now president of UEFA.

"I think it is something which has a certain logic going forward."

Notice Canada wasnt on the list. Also they say that south america and north america are one continent which means Canada has no chance for 2018 b/c it will go to ASIA. Man, what a bunch of crock.

[Juby]

I am really starting to get annoyed with the FIFA people from England, Spain and US (their just the loudest ones in this) because from the day South Africa was given the nod, these countries kept saying at "ya know, if they screw it up we'll help you out by hosting" and all this led to doubts about south africa even before their was a problem (there was a subtle assumption that they'd fail from day 1 because of this, well probably from their rivals criticisms too when South Africa was campaigning for a world cup)) and this hasn't let up making every problem seem bigger then it is.

I know this may sound paranoid but it really seems to me that the countries trying to replace South Africa have been purposely trying to sabotage the world cup by constantly second guessing them. These issues have been pretty unrelenting for a while and quite honestly, I think that if FIFA just sat down and focused on getting South Africa ready and ignored the rivals for a year that It would be complete success. The Olympics in Athens had more problems in the way of actual construction than South Africa has been and they got their olympics.

[RJB]

It would be such a shame for them to have the tournament taken away. This is a big step for the African continent, and I think that losing the tournament would be a huge step back. Just look at Colombia.

[RamR]

As far as WC rotation is concerned if FIFA (Blatter) have clumped North and South America then really the rotation would be down to Europe, Americas and Asia as Africa is having a hard enough time with its most (and possibly only) viable country hosting the upcoming tournament. Also, since they has already reconfigured the continents of the Americas to suit FIFA they might just as well redefine the whole world into FIFA terms.

[Guest Jeffery S.]

quote:Originally posted by Juby

I am really starting to get annoyed with the FIFA people from England, Spain and US (their just the loudest ones in this) because from the day South Africa was given the nod, these countries kept saying at "ya know, if they screw it up we'll help you out by hosting" and all this led to doubts about south africa even before their was a problem (there was a subtle assumption that they'd fail from day 1 because of this, well probably from their rivals criticisms too when South Africa was campaigning for a world cup)) and this hasn't let up making every problem seem bigger then it is.

I know this may sound paranoid but it really seems to me that the countries trying to replace South Africa have been purposely trying to sabotage the world cup by constantly second guessing them. These issues have been pretty unrelenting for a while and quite honestly, I think that if FIFA just sat down and focused on getting South Africa ready and ignored the rivals for a year that It would be complete success. The Olympics in Athens had more problems in the way of actual construction than South Africa has been and they got their olympics.

I have never heard anyone in Spain ever criticize the choice of South Africa, neither officially or unofficially. When Spain lost the Eurocup bid to Portugal, when it was a candidate, there was criticism, because of course Portugal was not better prepared than Spain (in the end they were fine as they build new stadiums). Last time I can recall it.

What is more, given that Spain is the closest 1st world country to AFrica (in fact part of Spain is in Africa), there is no in priniciple opposition to an African candidate.

In general Spain goes along with FIFA, as the Spanish federation pres Villar is a Blatter man, on the exec, head of reffing committee. In UEFA it may be different as the big clubs of course lobby against the powers that be.

Having said that, this is true. Spain could organize a World Cup starting in 10 days, there are the stadiums, the massive hotel-tourist structure, the airports, the people logistics, trasport, the security. The only problem would be finding hotel space for fans, and even then it could be done.

[Guest speedmonk42]

As Blatter said, there is always a backup plan. We just happen to know about it in more detail this time because the failure is a more realistic possibility and openly discussed. And considering that it has already happened once I don't see it as such a big deal.

[Juby]

huh? I really doubt that Spain, one of the imperialist countries of ancient year is hardly a good alternative in the minds of Africa. And the reason I put spain as one of the second guesser of South Africa is cause I hardly doubt it's the FIfa brass's idea to put it in spain, it's probably, like a said, some spanish fifa guy saying to the rest, "if they screw it up, we got yeah" which just erodes confidence.

[Guest Jeffery S.]

quote:Originally posted by Juby

huh? I really doubt that Spain, one of the imperialist countries of ancient year is hardly a good alternative in the minds of Africa. And the reason I put spain as one of the second guesser of South Africa is cause I hardly doubt it's the FIfa brass's idea to put it in spain, it's probably, like a said, some spanish fifa guy saying to the rest, "if they screw it up, we got yeah" which just erodes confidence.

You have no frigging clue what you are talking about, you are obviously just bored and trying to act smart. You have no idea of Spanish history (otherwise you would have used the more damning "colonialism"), nor of who is a Spanish FIFA official, nor the difference between "chico" and "chica", even if we were to give you a manual.

There are four national sport dailies in Spain, great soccer reporting in literally ten national newspapers, and dozens of radio programs, plus a load of tv on soccer, and I usually catch a bit of all daily, and that is every day for the last 15 years or so.

And I have never heard anyone say anything about South Africa that could suggest a wish to take the World Cup from them. Nor any comments against Africa deserving or not the World Cup. Nor anything against South Africa apart from the usual doubts, from the wire services, about security and readiness that are usually quoting Blatter who is trying to keep the pressure on them so that they don't let up, much in the same way the IOC does with host countries and cities. This Blatter comment is nothing more than that, he is simply trying to spur them on and keep them on the ball.

I think Spain has no intention of bidding for a World Cup as long as Madrid keeps their candidacy alive for the Olympic Games. After missing that Eurocup that went to Portugal they have let up as well, and since UEFA wants to do the same as FIFA and spread things out to the new democracies they comply. They don't need either in Spain, and I can tell you folks here don't really want such events, there is no demand, they already have the best players in the world coming through on Spanish and Champions League clubs.

[Juby]

Are you mad when it comes to history? The spanish were probably the most brutal colonial powers.(I used imperial and colonial interchangable, maybe a little inaccurately but the point is fully valid and your just splitting hairs over slight diction, if your offended that I used the imperial, I don't really care) There is most certainly a disdain in Africa for Western Europe and Spain is right up there.

Now about the issue, I already said I may be paranoid but like 95% of all fifa statements on it have been addressing the worlds concern over the same old issues rather then actually reporting new or increasing problems.

edit: also I'm noticing your points aren't attacking what I said, there attacking what you think I mean, I'll say it again so you can't misquote me but re-read my post if you think I'm changing my stance slightly but I'm not, I am implying, because spain is being mentioned by FIFA as a possibility that certain spanish fifa representitives are probably up to no good. At what point did I make any judgement on the motives of the people or media of Spain? you just started telling me that the spanish people don't want it, and you haven't heard nothing in all your hours watching TV, when I was talking about maybe a few dudes from spain working in FIFA, you just tried to discredit me by acting like I said something I did not. Which is pathetic

Also saying that I don't know the difference between a chica or a chico without a manual is just insulting, who in the hell do you think you are to talk down to anybody, I'm gonna say something rude now back because of this, but obviously your mother didn't teach a thing about manners or maintaining a respectful tone.

[Guest Jeffery S.]

quote:Originally posted by Juby

Are you mad when it comes to history? The spanish were probably the most brutal colonial powers.(I used imperial and colonial interchangable, maybe a little inaccurately but the point is fully valid and your just splitting hairs over slight diction, if your offended that I used the imperial, I don't really care) There is most certainly a disdain in Africa for Western Europe and Spain is right up there.

Now about the issue, I already said I may be paranoid but like 95% of all fifa statements on it have been addressing the worlds concern over the same old issues rather then actually reporting new or increasing problems.

edit: also I'm noticing your points aren't attacking what I said, there attacking what you think I mean, I'll say it again so you can't misquote me but re-read my post if you think I'm changing my stance slightly but I'm not, I am implying, because spain is being mentioned by FIFA as a possibility that certain spanish fifa representitives are probably up to no good. At what point did I make any judgement on the motives of the people or media of Spain? you just started telling me that the spanish people don't want it, and you haven't heard nothing in all your hours watching TV, when I was talking about maybe a few dudes from spain working in FIFA, you just tried to discredit me by acting like I said something I did not. Which is pathetic

Also saying that I don't know the difference between a chica or a chico without a manual is just insulting, who in the hell do you think you are to talk down to anybody, I'm gonna say something rude now back because of this, but obviously your mother didn't teach a thing about manners or maintaining a respectful tone.

Big revelation: this has zero to do with the next World Cup. Another revelation: it is totally boring. I offered a bit of information without at all being polemical about the state of opinion in Spain, in my first response to you, and you decided to keep jumping up and down and insisting on your stupid, uninformed thesis.

So don't start jerking about and complaining about me being rude when you are the one who does not really want to discuss this with anyone who disagrees with you. You are the one that has decided that your little pet thesis about US, English or Spanish imperialism is all about robbing poor S. AFrica of their rightful WC. Instead of understanding it only has to do with a simple concept called "existing infrastructure". And the best stadium, hotel, transport and logistic infrastructure combined with economic stability can be found in precisely the three countries mentioned, along with a couple others like Japan, France and Germany. All of which have had the WC in the last 25 years, except England.

In any case, if anyone in Spain so much as dared to speak out against African football or their holding the WC, our "Papa Samuel" would simply bite their heads off publically and that would be the end of that, you can be assured.

Your turn to insist on your silly anti-imperialist conspiracy thesis, which you can then tell your friends about at the next Socialist Worker's Party picnic, I'm sure you get a few pats on the back for standing up to soccer's evil empires.

[Juby]

honestly, your nuts, I said at the start, I might be paranoid, and you started freaking out and making points that did not even begin to address what I had said. Evil empires? I repeat, I think that theirs a few douche bags probably at blatters ear, once again I repeat I never said anything about the spanish people in general you just assumed, you kept responding cause your too stupid to read and take my post as it was, a whim of possibility (and it's possible cause neither of us are in a fifa boardroom).

This is just like when I said "if kingston gets a few games, I'm sure halifax deserves em" and then said "halifax isn't a big city" it's not, people where comparing it to ottawa, and then a bunch of people starting attacking me on this board as if I was the enemy of halifax. I got news for everybody on this bored who resorts to insults (such as the socialist workers party) and who freaks out over little post and tries to change what a person said by argueing a different point. Your just some loser in a chat room.

heres a great quote: Argueing over the internet is alot like the special olympics, even if you win, YOUR RETARDED. I made a small post admitting it may be paranoid, I still think it's not random that blatter would say spain. Half your arguement is based on, you think you know what blatter thinks. You keep accusing me of being a know it all for defending a possibility but you defend this accusation by pretending you know everything on the subject.

I am going to say this one more time, You have no right to insult someone for disagreeing with you. Its childish, whenever I make a typo or jumble words people freak out on it (one person even called into question whether I go to York University, sorry I don't care about the board enough to spell check) and this coming from people (not everybody on this board) who have hissy fits every disagreement. Maybe the CSA and a few others would actually care what this board thought if it did more then freak out and cry.