England’s humiliating defeat in the race to host the 2018 World Cup sparked a bitter new ‘Cold War’ with Russia last night.

The £15million bid – spearheaded by David Cameron, Prince William and David Beckham – didn’t even get past the first round.

It secured just two of the 22 votes by committee members of football’s world governing body Fifa in a secret ballot – one of which was cast by England’s own FA chairman Geoff Thompson.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1335188/World-Cup-2018-England-lose-bid-mafia-state-Russia.html#ixzz170iUwwpi

how about Qatar over Australia? I am more than a little interested to see what kind of a turn out that will be.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1335188/World-Cup-2018-England-lose-bid-mafia-state-Russia.html

It's quite simple - England and Australia put in honest bids - so were the first to be eliminated.

Sepp Blather said that FIFA wanted to bring the WC to nations developing their game - so England (as the established premier game in the world) were ruled out. But Australia? What is the excuse there? Can't compete with Aussie Rules and the Rugby codes? Never will now, either, will it?

Bribe high - stand a chance.

Bribe higher - success.

Probably after the expose series in UK they crooks that run FIFA realise that their time is running out, so they held the two meetings together and grabbed as much cash as they could. Now they'll be running for the Cayman Islands.

Bribes were involved if Russia won.

It's quite simple - England and Australia put in honest bids - so were the first to be eliminated.

Sepp Blather said that FIFA wanted to bring the WC to nations developing their game - so England (as the established premier game in the world) were ruled out. But Australia? What is the excuse there? Can't compete with Aussie Rules and the Rugby codes? Never will now, either, will it?

Bribe high - stand a chance.

Bribe higher - success.

Probably after the expose series in UK they crooks that run FIFA realise that their time is running out, so they held the two meetings together and grabbed as much cash as they could. Now they'll be running for the Cayman Islands.

Yups, Humph.

Of course it was bribery.

Yeah, soccer mad Qatar, not ever any oil monies,buttering fingers.

Russians, well Putin had it all sewn up, reason he had no need to attend.

Be interesting to see developments in the bribe recipients countries, or same countries delegates lifestyles.

Looks like the home of the game has missed out, as usual.

Bribes were involved if Russia won.

On the bright side for Russia the promised all ticket holders free transportation to all sporting venues and free visa on arrival plus there is something to see and do there but Qatar has a near zero population and ??????????????????????????????????? I did not expect the USA to win their bid because they hosted the cup in the not too distant past hence Australia seemed to be a lock.

Bribes were involved if Russia won.

On the bright side for Russia the promised all ticket holders free transportation to all sporting venues and free visa on arrival plus there is something to see and do there but Qatar has a near zero population and ??????????????????????????????????? I did not expect the USA to win their bid because they hosted the cup in the not too distant past hence Australia seemed to be a lock.

If true, that's good news about what Russia will offer. They've got 8 years to get the place ready for mass amounts of tourists. There are more things for people to see and do in Russia than Qatar that's for sure. What Qatar has going for it is location and the money to make it an unforgettable WC (pun intended) in ultra-modern and clean surroundings. It will be interesting to see how the players function in the June heat. Down here in Dubai it gets into the 40's that time of year.

It's quite simple - England and Australia put in honest bids - so were the first to be eliminated.

Sepp Blather said that FIFA wanted to bring the WC to nations developing their game - so England (as the established premier game in the world) were ruled out. But Australia? What is the excuse there? Can't compete with Aussie Rules and the Rugby codes? Never will now, either, will it?

Bribe high - stand a chance.

Bribe higher - success.

Probably after the expose series in UK they crooks that run FIFA realise that their time is running out, so they held the two meetings together and grabbed as much cash as they could. Now they'll be running for the Cayman Islands.

Agree......especially the last paragraph. Amazing to hear the FA talking about the evil media......but its all true isn't it....or the committee members would have come out in front of the cameras and explained everthing in the open and friendly manner expected of their global brand.

What's next for this lot I wonder......perhaps a North Korean chairman will step out from behind the scenes to make things more transparent.

I see from today's newspapers that the police have raided the Ghanaian Football headquarters. Occupied the premises and are going through all the records.

(Maybe looking for a rare Elton John LP?)

And today another furore caused by Sepp Blather :

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/8201677/Sepp-Blatters-comments-wholly-unacceptable-says-former-NBA-star-and-gay-rights-campaigner-John-Amaechi.html

Sepp Blatter's comments 'wholly unacceptable' says former NBA star and gay rights campaigner John Amaechi

Gay rights campaigners reacted with horror on Tuesday at the “childish” attitude of Fifa president Sepp Blatter after he said that homosexual people should refrain from sexual activities in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup.

By Jeremy Wilson 6:20PM GMT 14 Dec 2010

Blatter had been asked about the issue of gay people attending matches in a country where homosexuality is illegal and, apparently joking, said: “I would say they should refrain from any sexual activities.”

He went on to say that Fifa had “no boundaries” and that there should be no discrimination against anyone, but his comments have caused a considerable backlash.

John Amaechi, who became the first gay NBA basketball player to come out, said: “I think it is absurd. It is the most childish organisation and the most childish response I could imagine.

“Those remarks do tremendous damage. The tone of the answer made it very clear that he is so old fashioned and so ignorant that he is clearly uncomfortable discussing the issue like a rational person.

“Then he fobs it off as if it’s no issue. It makes it harder for footballers that are gay. His influence is big enough to impact young people in schools and people in work places.”

The Gay Football Supporters Network have called for a boycott of the tournament in Qatar, with chairman Chris Basiurski also outraged by Blatter’s comments. Mr Blatter should retract his remarks and apologise immediately. Otherwise, he should reconsider his position and resign,” he said.

Amaechi believes that Fifa have contradicted their own claim of being against discrimination by even choosing Qatar as the host for the 2022 World Cup. “If you are serious about sport being anything more than grown men playing with balls you should probably imagine that Qatar shouldn’t be a candidate,” he said. “If they were against any form of discrimination then the games wouldn’t be in Qatar.”

Fifa also came under criticism from executive committee member Franz Beckenbauer for allowing the results of the ballot for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to become publicly known.”I have less confidence in Fifa,” said Beckenbauer. “The seven losers were all left in disgrace. Especially England and Australia.”

But as there are no gay footballers, there will be no impact on team selection.

But what'll some of these Italian and Spanish players do about their hair styles? Brit's'll be OK with the skinhead style, but Lord help some of the Brazilians.

(As an aside:

Aide to Blather - "There's three Brazilian footballers outside"

Blather - "Three brazilion?? Can we fit them all in the stadium??")

I'll get my hat.

And today another furore caused by Sepp Blather :

http://www.telegraph...hn-Amaechi.html

Sepp Blatter's comments 'wholly unacceptable' says former NBA star and gay rights campaigner John Amaechi

Gay rights campaigners reacted with horror on Tuesday at the "childish" attitude of Fifa president Sepp Blatter after he said that homosexual people should refrain from sexual activities in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup.

By Jeremy Wilson 6:20PM GMT 14 Dec 2010

Blatter had been asked about the issue of gay people attending matches in a country where homosexuality is illegal and, apparently joking, said: "I would say they should refrain from any sexual activities."

He went on to say that Fifa had "no boundaries" and that there should be no discrimination against anyone, but his comments have caused a considerable backlash.

John Amaechi, who became the first gay NBA basketball player to come out, said: "I think it is absurd. It is the most childish organisation and the most childish response I could imagine.

"Those remarks do tremendous damage. The tone of the answer made it very clear that he is so old fashioned and so ignorant that he is clearly uncomfortable discussing the issue like a rational person.

"Then he fobs it off as if it's no issue. It makes it harder for footballers that are gay. His influence is big enough to impact young people in schools and people in work places."

The Gay Football Supporters Network have called for a boycott of the tournament in Qatar, with chairman Chris Basiurski also outraged by Blatter's comments. Mr Blatter should retract his remarks and apologise immediately. Otherwise, he should reconsider his position and resign," he said.

Amaechi believes that Fifa have contradicted their own claim of being against discrimination by even choosing Qatar as the host for the 2022 World Cup. "If you are serious about sport being anything more than grown men playing with balls you should probably imagine that Qatar shouldn't be a candidate," he said. "If they were against any form of discrimination then the games wouldn't be in Qatar."

Fifa also came under criticism from executive committee member Franz Beckenbauer for allowing the results of the ballot for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to become publicly known."I have less confidence in Fifa," said Beckenbauer. "The seven losers were all left in disgrace. Especially England and Australia."

But as there are no gay footballers, there will be no impact on team selection.

But what'll some of these Italian and Spanish players do about their hair styles? Brit's'll be OK with the skinhead style, but Lord help some of the Brazilians.

(As an aside:

Aide to Blather - "There's three Brazilian footballers outside"

Blather - "Three brazilion?? Can we fit them all in the stadium??")

I'll get my hat.

"If you are serious about sport being anything more than grown men playing with balls

they quote fitted in well from the Gay Association of Football

But as there are no gay footballers, there will be no impact on team selection.

The reason for that is they are scared to admit it in the open and stay in the closet. Mainly because of people with the same view as Blatter.

I think you mean no 'openly' gay footballers.

I think you mean no 'openly' gay footballers.

That's what I was saying.

I think you mean no 'openly' gay footballers.

Actually there has been one openly gay footballer - Justin Fashanu - the first £1 million footballer in the UK. After he came out in 1990 he was vilified in the press, his own brother (who was also a footballer) publicly disowned him and he never got another permanent contract again. He committed suicide in 1998.

The only gay footballer in the UK at the moment is straight.

I think you mean no 'openly' gay footballers.

Actually there has been one openly gay footballer - Justin Fashanu - the first £1 million footballer in the UK. After he came out in 1990 he was vilified in the press, his own brother (who was also a footballer) publicly disowned him and he never got another permanent contract again. He committed suicide in 1998.

The only gay footballer in the UK at the moment is straight.

Max Clifford reckons he represents 2 Premier League footballers who are Gay but he has advised them to stay quiet about it. Shocking in this day and age.

I think you mean no 'openly' gay footballers.

Actually there has been one openly gay footballer - Justin Fashanu - the first £1 million footballer in the UK. After he came out in 1990 he was vilified in the press, his own brother (who was also a footballer) publicly disowned him and he never got another permanent contract again. He committed suicide in 1998.

The only gay footballer in the UK at the moment is straight.

Max Clifford reckons he represents 2 Premier League footballers who are Gay but he has advised them to stay quiet about it. Shocking in this day and age.

I was actually thinking of Becks

I think you mean no 'openly' gay footballers.

Actually there has been one openly gay footballer - Justin Fashanu - the first £1 million footballer in the UK. After he came out in 1990 he was vilified in the press, his own brother (who was also a footballer) publicly disowned him and he never got another permanent contract again. He committed suicide in 1998.

The only gay footballer in the UK at the moment is straight.

Max Clifford reckons he represents 2 Premier League footballers who are Gay but he has advised them to stay quiet about it. Shocking in this day and age.

Pretty much a worldwide thing tis though.....clearly it comes right from the top too.

Twenty years behind the rest of the civilised world in so many ways.

I think you mean no 'openly' gay footballers.

Actually there has been one openly gay footballer - Justin Fashanu - the first £1 million footballer in the UK. After he came out in 1990 he was vilified in the press, his own brother (who was also a footballer) publicly disowned him and he never got another permanent contract again. He committed suicide in 1998.

The only gay footballer in the UK at the moment is straight.

Max Clifford reckons he represents 2 Premier League footballers who are Gay but he has advised them to stay quiet about it. Shocking in this day and age.

Pretty much a worldwide thing tis though.....clearly it comes right from the top too.

Twenty years behind the rest of the civilised world in so many ways.

Don't get me started on why Blatter and co won't introduce technology like all of the "poorer" sports are.

Don't get me started on why Blatter and co won't introduce technology like all of the "poorer" sports are.

Technology? Where's the profit in that? It just makes bribery more difficult.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter says he wants to set up an anti-corruption committee to police world football's governing body.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9333340.stm

Blatter said: "This committee will strengthen our credibility and give us a new image in terms of transparency.

"I will take care of it personally, to ensure there is no corruption at Fifa."

Sepp Blatter leading an anti-corruption team. Does irony get laid on any thicker than this?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9297416.stm

"When you play football you have to protect the main people - the players."

What about the fans then Sepp?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9297416.stm

"When you play football you have to protect the main people - the players."

What about the fans then Sepp?

They're only there to provide the money. Not important.