NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-OOOOOOOOHHH ...the rest of us just give cosmically constructive criticisms, not complaints. Get your c-words straight, buddy...... SHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHH
I hate the pathetic farce of ticketing allocations for major tournaments that means England fans like myself have to end up spending inflated amounts for tickets from touts, despite the fact that I have followed my team throughout the qualifiers.
My complaint is that FIFA is a worldwide governing body, like the UN, and therefore anti-American. Also, and along the same lines, FIFA should be more warlike.
I guess, but most threads just have news or predictions. I just wanted to hear the people's opinions on policies. But where else would I put it? Like you said that is what this board is for so putting it anywhere else would have been rediculous wouldn't it?
I think what Knave, my co-mod here- is saying is that there are many threads here that include complaints about FIFA in general and Blatter in particular. That said, I'm sure that we can use this thread as a place to state particular complaints that don't fit into any specific hot topic. And, yes, I agree with monop_poly that FIFA should be more war like.
So am I the only one who finds favor with FIFA on these boards? I think certain fans are intimidated by the magnitude of authority FIFA has on the football community, and thus easily finds criticism and labels to bestow on the international organization without realizing the incredible efforts put forth to ensure football has standards that are to be met in the global community. Also not realizing its commitment to grow and popularize the sport all throughout every region of the world through major financial pledges and social services. Personally, I'm grateful that such an entity exist in order for us (from all over the world) are able to come together and agree to meet on the field, agree to the rules, agree to standards, and agree in an orderly fashion to demonstrate a peaceful global sport like football. Don't forget, FIFA was created by authorization and agreement from 7 western European country football associations. Every nation inclusion since then has been a matter of choice, not force. That fact that one would would make comparisons of war to FIFA just completely boggles my mind. I believe that a majority of the resentment towards FIFA is only a meer reiteration from comments made by an occasional player or club coach who may have had an inconvenience with the org. (usually because of money payout and penalties that THEY agreed on) The last time I checked, FIFA, confederations, league assoc's, all clubs around the world, and even 'G-14' orgs, acknowledge there should be a balance between club and country competitions. Not one or the other is greater. Personally, I believe country is greater, but thats personal opinion, not FIFA opinion. I can't imagine where football would stand in today's world if FIFA never existed. Without adhering or being held responsible to a greater global unified authority, would there even be international matches without fights, chaos, or disagreements? Its kind of like a federal government.. yea, its easy to hate them because we are subjected to taxation, laws, order, and fines... but where would we be if we didn't have it? Thats my opinion. Go easy on me since I seem to be of the minority on this thread. Oh well... maybe FIFA should spend some money on good PR? =)
I think the majority of anti-FIFA and anti-Blatter (they aren't exactly the same) comments fall under a couple of categories: 1) Corruption. It is perceived that Blatter and various other poo bahs (like Jack Warner) are corrupt, awash in kickbacks, etc. The alleged corruption supposedly happens both in day to day affairs and in the four year election of the head of FIFA (which naturally peaked and will peak again in the WC year). A variety of folks on all continents are mad about this. 2) FIFA vs UEFA. Sometimes called Euro-snobbery on this and other boards, fairly and unfairly. Once you think of it, the goals of FIFA and UEFA differ slightly with UEFA looking out for #1- as well they should. This sometimes (usually) comes out in discussions like, how many WC slots (or Olympic slots, etc) should the various confderations get? or Euro 2004 is so much more imp[ortant than antyhing else, even the WC, and the like. 3) FIFA vs Euro clubs. Similar to the FIFA vs UEFA confrontations but often in this UEFA sides with FIFA though not always. Still this often has undertones similar to the FIFA vs UEFA discussions- Euro clubs arre sometrimes held up to be the pinnicle of soccer competition and all other competitions (like between countries) should take a back seat... 4) Rule changes. Whenever there is a rule change of any type- anthing from not being allowed to take off one's shirt after scoring to international transfer rules for minors to how the Coke rankings are formulated and their effects on the #1 seeds in the WC- there are gonna be folks here who strongly dissent. 5) The WC itself. The WC deserves a special category all it's own although it obviously overlaps with categories above. During non-WC years the discussion involves if certain countries or continents deserve to host a WC, or how often they should host or which countries can host. During WC years it focuses more on the host country (ies). These categories of mine have no hard boundries. An anti-corruption basher may well also hold that FIFA should let UEFA host the WC every other time, etc. In stating these categories I am trying to make the picture clear without taking sides. In fact I see the merits of both points of view in all of these discussions, though of course I do have opinions.
I found FIFA lack of transparency the ultimate harmful agent to the game, and I don't like how they've incorporated a Code of Conduct that encourages less transparency than before. A disgrace.
It seems, according to Ursula, that the main conflicts are between FIFA and UEFA. Maybe UEFA is too strong. Everyone knows that FIFA can't survive without it, but that is what causes problems. I think it goes as far as FIFA excepting demands and compromising for UEFA. This might be OK if FIFA gave the same prority and equality to the other confederations but it does not.