This all sounds fine...... the FA take the moral stance, do the right thing etc.......... but that isnt how many other nations view us, and just exactly how much money does England bring to the FIFA pot? Because this is what it is all about - the power to control money .... billions of it.
There is a long way between voting to delay a spurious election and opting out of FIFA....... not sure you would even get the FA to support that let alone the other 16.
Would they miss us ..... initially probably but I think opting out would leave us very isolated and i doubt many if any would follow us. Lets not forget the debacle of the world cup vote - we didnt get much support there for the best bid in the competition. Judging from the reaction to Bernstein at the conference and the delegates that followed England has been clearly marked as the villain in all this
Unfortunately we dont feel we can rely on the integrity of others in FIFA. Neither voting by the select few nor the entire 208 is without its problems. Select few and we have allegations of bribery and corruption - all 208 and you skew things to countries that actually bring very little to the global game despite perhaps great strides in their homeland.
Trouble is that for years the FA took a back seat, didnt engage with the functions of FIFA took a arrogant stance of always knowing better - well thats coming home to roost. We dont have the relationships and friends within FIFA we need, we have no real power base to challenge even a vote about a vote. We are strong in our own back yard but seen as an impotent irritant globally.
It sounds simple to opt out but there are reprecussions of such a move. Marginalised globally then all FIFA has to say is to forbid members to play us and we are well and truly stuffed globally and nationally. We can play the home countries if we all opt out- well yes but how many times a year and can the smaller countries make up enough in finance to bridge the loss of such an action? We can get Brasil, USA, Italy, Germany to opt out ........ is anyone certain that they share the same concerns as the FA to the extent that they would jump ship. Playing England isnt the draw it used to be for other countries there are plenty of other big games.... Playing England is one game every few years. The biggest critic speaking today of Bernstein was the guy from Argentina, surely one of the major nations? FIFA know we would have to come back if we left because they would continue without us, point to reforms they are putting in, and not have the irritant of England rocking their cosy boat, point out to sponsors how rosey things are without the allegations. And when we have to crawl back ?...... really doesnt bear thinking of does it
The FA took the right stance...... they challenged the vote. They can keep challenging things and the only place to do that is from within. To change this self interested, arrogant, mis-managing possibly corrupt in some places, so called leaders of the global game and self styled protectors of the ordinary fan is going to be a long and rocky road. The FA can not cry foul at every opportunity because it will be drowned in the cries of "oh no not them again" .....they have to pick the right fights, get the facts and solid evidence, the sad reality is it has to be done within what is in my opinion a corrupt regime at FIFA
Blatter makes much of the essential reforms he is putting in place. Yet the vote for the world cup will be thrown to the 208 delegates based on the recommendation of the executive committee (no chance of undue influence there then - not!). He says it must reform..... well these are the rules that have been in place for 13 + years...... been in place whilst he led the circus called FIFA what makes them wrong now and not wrong 13 years ago? He presided over the system/rules yet did nothing to change them, that alone makes him responsible for not acting in the best interest of the game globally. Warner kicks off against Blatter because he got his wrists slapped then tells all and sundry to vote for him ..... how in gods name is that a consistent point of view and I wonder what changed his mind (make your own conclusions on that).
Blatter makes great use of the words like respect, unity, honour, family etc Berates everyone because they show none of these traits in daring to question things. Berates us for not showing respect..... but ignores that this is a two way street with respect earnt not simply given or expected! He is riled simply because he is challenged...... if he is so confident why doesnt he say ok check all this out I have nothing to hide - for that is the only way to shut up the calls for his head. Not once has he even suggested this as a course of action. What he and his cronies have done is to deflect the blame on to England - morally we are quite likely right but we have no power to change things, and our position in global football is weaker than ever
I am thoroughly frustrated and annoyed by the whole mess. I love my football with a passion, I spend much hard earnt cash on it, I want to see my club and country succeed - those in charge of the multi billion £ business both here and at FIFA are making a complete mess of it all. Non have the moral fortitude to make the changes required in order to turn Football into a shining light of how things can be done to benefit the most important commodity of all ....... the fans!
managed to say all that without swearing ....... better will power and self control than i thought i had!!!!!
