http://www.the-afc.com/media-releas...nvestigation-into-alleged-regulation-breaches Some more popping up..Things looking serious now !!
Yes, serious for Saudi Arabia who are being investigated for blocking beIN SPORTS crew from doing their job, during the Saudi-Japan match. As usual, Saudis think they're above the law and actually blocked the Qatari TV who are the copy rights owner of the match from broadcasting the match, because of their silly political dispute with Qatar.
I saw the match on BeIn and I think almost all the KSA did..They are contrasting views on it.. I heard that they are also opening investigation into Iran vs Syria match and Australia vs Thailand match..
The issue with the Saudi Arabia-Japan games seems to be about a Bein journalist being removed from the stadium.
Half Confirmed : Following to be investigated - 1. Saudi vs Japan - - Regarding Bein sports journalist treatment - Stadium being free open to public after all the tickets were purchased which AFC considers as government interference in sports 2. Australia vs Thailand and Iran vs Syria Both matches being investigated for being after Australia lost many chances too score vs Thailand and Syria's stoppage time equaliser vs Iran.
Huh... what exactly are they investigating Aus-Thai for? To see how many Fosters the Aussie strikers had before the game?
why would australia vs thailand be suspect? it makes no sense. as for Iran vs syria, it would be impossible for them to prove anything anyways.
I expect there will be the usual minor stuff. Australia were fined in a WCQ a couple of years back because a TV reporter stepped onto the field during a post-match interview.
The format of AFC World Cup qualifiers will be changed from WC qualifiers 2026 due to WC expansion. What do you guys think would be the best format? My preferred format: 46 nations at the moment 1st round: the bottom 12 teams of FIFA ranking play a play off match in two legs. The winners join to other 30 teams. 2nd round: 9 groups of 4 teams where the top two teams of each group advance to the final round. 3rd round: 3 groups of 6 teams where the winner and runner up of each group advance to the WC and third place team of each group play against each other in a group of 3 teams in neutral venue where the winner and runner up advance to the WC and third team qualifies to the inter continental play off. The host and qualified 8 teams along with the team advanced to the inter continental play off qualify to the Asian Cup.
The best format is the current format. It's a shame they wan't to turn football into a full business by trying hard to get more arab teams/China into the WC. With the expansion the WC prestige will be completely gone.
thats why im happy we made it to 2018. and hopefully 2022, the last year the world cup will be meaningful for asian sides. the expanded world cup will not make a difference to top 10-20 teams, but it will suck for the weaker world cup teams such as top asian teams. this is because we will be guaranteed qualification each time so it wont be exciting anymore. what prestige is there if teams like qatar and are always going to be there.