An organisation that reeks to high heaven of corruption has exploited to the fullness of all possibility their bidding process that simply encourages deal-making and outright bribery.
For the record, I don't necessarily think that either Russia or Qatar are the worst possible choices in the world. On the plus side, they both represent areas of the world that have never had the chance to host such an event, and this is something to be lauded.
Unfortunately however, both the process and the result leave an incredibly sour taste in the mouth; and it is sadly impossible not to wonder what gas and oil-fuelled deals have been made to bring the tournament to these new horizons. The British press have immediately screamed 'Fix' and argued that there is no way this decision could have been made to this result if not unfairly.
For me this could easily be used to highlight the arrogance and sense of entitlement that was apparently a fatal element of our previous failed attempt, to host in 2006.
The thing with this though, is that the papers are blatantly right. Of course there have been dodgy deals done, of course this was all decided before our Prince, PM and God got up to speak...and of course we should be entitled to request that something be done to address it.
Here in Australia the decision was not greeted with such venom, rather more a sense of disappointment at such a poor result (1 vote, eliminated straight away) bordering on the pragmatic. Maybe they have too much to worry about with the cricket (Waheyy!) - but certainly even with the more gracious acceptance of their fate, questions have been raised about the legitimacy of both the process and the eventual winner.
Personally, I think Russia is a bad choice because of the expense, the size, and the racism. After South Africa and Brazil, fans who travel to these tournaments will be getting pretty tired of the toll of having to traverse vast countries to follow their team. Russia offers more of the same, albeit with certain geographically grouped 'clusters'.
Qatar on the other hand is as compact as one could possibly imagine - but this destination too is not without it's drawbacks. The heat for one, but also the cost as well - don't expect budget hotel rooms to be available far and wide. If anything I'm more likely to try and go to the 2022 tournament, but anyone who is able to make serious travel plans 12 years ahead of time probably needs to live a little more in the present!
Fundamentally though, to return to my original viewpoint; whilst these nations have their drawbacks they also have what can quite easily be viewed as strong bids. It is just such a shame that the stench of corruption that emanates from FIFA headquarters has tainted this victory and made it look so clear that the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were sold.
Many areas of the British press, and our bid team, aimed condemnation at the BBC's Panorama programme for turning the spotlight on the corruption at FIFA, at such a crucial time before the decision. Now that they are all calling the same tune, I say: let's declare war.
Get all of our best investigative journalists, as well as our scumbag tabloid muck-rakers, and turn all attention to bringing down this stinking group of fat, corrupt, out-of-touch idiots that run OUR game...we all know they must be up to all kinds of unscrupulous behaviour. Find it, expose it, lay it bare for the world to see. That way either FIFA is forced to clean up it's act, or it's influence can be weakened and we can start to get football back. Not because England lost, not because the next time a World Cup can be held in a proper and established footballing nation is 16 years away, but because it is about time.
Sepp, best get shredding and deleting mate...the journos are coming.
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