Insightful piece in TIME magazine on FIFA’s decision to stage the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments in Russia and Qatar is well worth reading:
“What the World Cup Choices Tell Us About the World” by Ishaan Tharoor and Tony Karon.
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3 replies on “Autocracy + Petrodollars = FIFADisneyCup”
you know, I personally hate FIFA. Hayatou, Blatter and Jack Warner seem think they own football but it belongs to all of us. In as much as I think England were the most sensible bidders, I am glad they lost too as they also think they own the game. Sure, the English Premiership is interesting to watch, but a glimpse at the lower divisions goes a long way to show how much the English are indebted to “continentals”. I am glad Russia won. I never knew about a country called Burkina Faso until 1998 when the Nations Cup was staged there. I sure as hell am saving to go to Brazil, Russia and Qatar. That said, FIFA is long overdue a Polokwane
Another thing to think about: the 2018 and 2022 hosting decisions may make South Africa 2010 shine even more brightly further down the road.
Check out this fascinating Beyond the Pitch podcast (Sept. 22, 2013)
“Qatar 2022: Savage Legal Questions Enveloping Blatter and Platini”
http://www.beyondthepitch.net/podcasts/edition/index.cfm/beyond-the-pitch/2013/09/22/change-fifa/