UEFA Could Boycott FIFA

It's good to see someone finally standing for something. The plans by FIFA to effectively sell the World Cup to private interests are obscene. Gianni Infantino has to go. 

If the plans do go ahead, Association Football (soccer or just football to many) will become like the WWE, just a display of skill with no real meaning.

This year's World Cup was a disaster, what with surge pricing and hydration breaks. And the halftime show during the final was ridiculous.

If UEFA boycott, they could run their own competition in direct competition. Outside of Europe, only Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina have won World Cups, the game is dominated by the Europeans.

https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/02a7-213a92896eb0-54dfbf454e3b-1000--statement-on-behalf-of-uefa-and-its-55-national-associations/

UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors.

The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale.

What's Up Between FIFA and Trump?

At last someone has called this out. FIFA is meant to be about sport, and sport is meant to be above politics - right? 

Well, no, it appears FIFA has crossed the line. It's about time another organisation took over world soccer - or association football for all you nerds who insist on the correct name.

https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/businessreview/2026/02/20/donald-trump-and-gianni-infantino-are-ruining-fifa-and-football/

In recent years Gianni Infantino, the most senior official at the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), and Donald Trump have been hogging international sporting, and political headlines.

The latest came on Thursday 19 February when FIFA announced an initiative to assist Mr  Trump’s Board of Peace rebuild Gaza using sport. Mr Infantino’s declaration to “foster investment into football for the purpose of helping the recovery process in post conflict areas” was made at the Trump Peace HQ.

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Mr Trump’s ethically questionable control over world football seems mild in comparison with command of violent ICE agents or his takeover of Venezuela. But as always with Mr Trump, he has managed to gatecrash and despoil much of what he touches; in this case, the world’s beautiful game.      

World Cup 2018: England Out, Croatia Deserved Winners

The key term that comes to mind after watching the England - Croatia semi-final; it's not the size of dog in the fight, it's the size of fight in the dog.

What happened to England at half time? I'm talking about during the break itself. After the fifteen minute break England were late getting out onto the pitch and looked like stragglers walking from the dressing room. Croatia's body language spoke volumes, they were ready and looked like winners despite being down on the scoreboard.

And so from the start of the second half it just looked like Croatia finding a way to win, and never England looking to put the game beyond doubt.

I'd like to mention one other thing; even the first half looked a little disjointed and I'll tell you why. England are always too keen to give ground. The statistics here tell a lie I feel. What those statistics from the first half will show is that possession was even. But if you could find a figure that measures contests, it would show that Croatia was always prepared to fight for possession or territory. I'd wager it would look 70/30 Croatia, 30/70 England. That is, 70% Croatia showing more aggression in the contests, and 70% refusing to retreat (30% the other way around).

I believe both teams were tired, probably equally so. But cultural factors meant Croatia was going to win from the moment the second half started. And that cultural factor was England gave ground too easily, and were beaten as a result.

I'm sad about it as this was a golden opportunity for England to win a World Cup. It was the best opportunity they've had since 1966 at home. But now they can learn and move on, knowing they're good enough. Now they have to know they must always find a way to win, not just hope they'll win. There is a difference.

Argentina and Portugal out of FIFA 2018

England's chances just got a whole lot better with both Argentina and Portugal crashing out of the World Cup. Now all they need is for Mexico to beat Brazil. Dare to dream England, oh, and make sure you beat Colombia.

FIFA World Cup 2018

The top 16 has been decided and England are in the box seat for a straight run to the final. By coming second in their group, they now face much lesser opponents now that Germany has been eliminated. Had Germany topped their pool I am sure England would have fought tooth and nail to win their final group match against Belgium as they'd likely be facing Germany in the quarter-finals had they lost.

Belgium are now faced with the likely prospect of Brazil in the quarter-finals, which is what England would have come across had they won their group.

England then, must beat Colombia round of sixteen; then beat either Sweden or Switzerland (easily achievable), then they'll come up against one of Spain, Russia, Croatia and Denmark. All of these teams have looked unconvincing. So it's down to England against Brazil in the final, Or England against Uruguay. Whoever it is, being on the other side of the draw looks far more formidable.

It looks like England have their thinking caps on.

England at FIFA World Cup 2018

England beat Tunisia in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup. The victory came in spite of the refereeing which could at best be described as deplorable. Despite all the technology, the beautiful game is still blighted by the scourge of the referees.

New Zealand v Peru

Today we find out which team will be the last to qualify for the World Cup in Russia next year. Can minnow New Zealand do the business against world number 10 Peru? You betcha, the Kiwis are much better than their ranking suggests. bear in mind they rarely play at full strength.

The pressure will be on Peru, who must win. A simple draw involving goals means NZ goes through on the away goals rule (the first contest was a nil-all draw).

[Update; Peru 2 - NZ 0. Peru were much the better team]

Japan Rugby Christchurch Connection

The media are not reporting a Christchurch connection with the Japan team that has upset South Africa 34-32 at this year's Rugby World Cup.

In the team is Kosei Ono, who grew up in Christchurch from the age of three, learned to play Rugby here and played for the Christchurch Boys' High School first XV. He now lives in Japan and plays there professionally. His father is still local to Christchurch, he owns a sports massage business called Ono Seitai Sports Clinic.

Journalists have likely flicked through the roster of this ground-breaking team and tried to spot the foreign names, and in the process missed a local lad doing well.

Kosei Ono at RWC 2015 

[ edit to add - Kosei Ono is now covered on Stuff...The Press got around to doing their job ]