Following the Coca Cola Incident

[lardy]

I am genuinely surprised that the governing bodies of the main footballing nations haven't already got together to determine that they will not play in Qatar but instead will have their own tournament at the same time, in a country of their choosing. FIFA and UEFA are utterly dreadful. Quatar was a moronic decision even before the human rights issues. It should never have made the shortlist; it should never have been picked; and it should not go ahead.

I guess the implications for doing that would be massive.

[Optimistic Nick]

I guess the implications for doing that would be massive.

yes it would mean the end of FIFA essentially. Unless they decide to revisit their decision they'd be basically thrown overboard by mutineers.

[lardy]

yes it would mean the end of FIFA essentially. Unless they decide to revisit their decision they'd be basically thrown overboard by mutineers.

That would be the nice outcome, but also years of lawsuits from sponsors, stadiums, whoever. One long and unpleasant civil war with probably not much organised football being played while everyone jockeys for a power grab in a vacuum.

I'm not saying this as defence of FIFA, as the Qatar decision was appalling at the time and seems even more so now that so many have died in slavery conditions. It's awful and I'd be amazed if it's not criminal. The oil-rich state didn't win the bid on footballing terms

Glancing at the FIFA council list, I clicked on David Martin who is a member and also the president of the Irish FA. I imagine there is a lot of personnel crossover between FIFA and individual FAs, so it doesn't surprised me that the FAs haven't quit FIFA in protest at it.

[Optimistic Nick]

That would be the nice outcome, but also years of lawsuits from sponsors, stadiums, whoever. One long and unpleasant civil war with probably not much organised football being played while everyone jockeys for a power grab in a vacuum.

I'm not saying this as defence of FIFA, as the Qatar decision was appalling at the time and seems even more so now that so many have died in slavery conditions. It's awful and I'd be amazed if it's not criminal. The oil-rich state didn't win the bid on footballing terms

Glancing at the FIFA council list, I clicked on David Martin who is a member and also the president of the Irish FA. I imagine there is a lot of personnel crossover between FIFA and individual FAs, so it doesn't surprised me that the FAs haven't quit FIFA in protest at it.

No I agree. On both points. It would effectively be a massive game of chicken. It's a bit like the ESL thing, except there the governing body actually had fans (and doing the right thing) on their side. It is popular opinion that rightly killed the ESL - had people been behind it, I am sure it would have been successful. I've no idea who supports the Qatar world cup but if you were to survey football club season ticket holders in the countries that will compete in the world cup, I imagine that the majority would not be in support. I think football would still go on - national FAs would still continue. FIFA might not like it and might "ban" it, but so what? They don't own football, it's not theirs to take off anyone. They can prevent nations and clubs from entering "their" competitions but that's fine, you just set up mirror ones.

And yes there is too much crossover on these bodies. They should be independent as conflicts of interest could arise. (And the guy you've picked was actually removed from roles of authority in the past for incompetence and was only allowed back in to the Irish FA when the competence rules were dropped.). Doesn't the Welsh FA have a disproportionately large influence at FIFA too- some historic constitutional rule or something?