It seems unavoidable and fitting that my first ponder will be yesterday's failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup. For those who were momentarily in a coma and somehow missed the results from Zurich, the English bid amassed a grand total of 2 votes from a possible 22, exiting at the first round of voting. The results have been greeted with a variety of reactions, with much blame being laid at the door of the BBC and their opportunistic producers. The other feeling of course is one that goes far deeper, based far more on suspicions already given credence by the suspension of two FIFA Exec Committee members, Amos Adamu and Reynald Termarii.
For years FIFA has long since been treated with scepticism by those in sport, politics and of course, the media. Yesterday's results indeed seem to further vindicate these suspicions, with those involved in the England bid scratching their heads at the shock results. As I contemplate my own thoughts on the bid, and the FIFA Vs BBC row. I can't help but notice the irony...Whilst blaming the BBC, we have all made sideways glances towards Russia (and let’s not forget, Qatar), wondering how the stronger bids of England, USA and Australia were only able to achieve 6 combined votes. Murmurs of corruption and the exchange of money linger in the air, with Wiki Leaks latest accusations only further these thoughts.
Yet in our next breath we blame the BBC for shaming FIFA for these very same accusations we are now making, or at least thinking. We boast of a free press, yet lament the BBC for being so free, and not 'sitting' on the Panorama investigation for a few more days, until at which point it's accusations would have surely carried much less weight.
Ultimately blaming the BBC is saying that we would turn a blind eye to FIFA's precarious state for as long it would not damage our own bid. If it is not the case that we as a nation are just sore losers (and it might be). If it is instead that FIFA are truly at fault, then it is only the right thing that the BBC expose these problems to full effect.
Put another way; to silence our FIFA accusations (albeit temporarily) to preserve our World Cup bid, is to condone what we today we are apparently disgusted by.
I am not saying that I myself am not disappointed by the lost bid, but a continued unaccountable and irresponsible FIFA is a far bigger price to pay then a lost World Cup. Ultimately, if the World Cup really is for sale, maybe it was for the best that we weren’t the buyers. If not just so that Wiki Leaks doesn't find out two years down the line and tell the world.
Anyway, enjoy the snow, and comments are welcome. What did you ponder?
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