Relations between Australia and Oceania have reached crisis point, with Australian Soccer Association president Frank Lowy threatening to pull the country out of the region. It is believed Lowy has already floated the idea of Australia withdrawing from Oceania with his FIFA counterpart Sepp Blatter, keeping its membership of FIFA but not belonging on a permanent basis to any confederation. Since his election four months ago, Lowy has made no secret of his frustration with football politics in the South Pacific, which he maintains have held back Australia's progress on the world stage. After announcing the appointment of former Australian Sports Commission boss Ron Harvey as the ASA's international ambassador yesterday - a role that will include being Australia's delegate to the Oceania Football Confederation - Lowy made it clear he expected rapid improvement. "A lot of work needs to be done, we are working very, very hard to help Oceania to become a more effective body on the world stage because it's in our interests to do so," Lowy said. "The fact is we need to work within Oceania to achieve what we want to achieve. Basically there is Australia and New Zealand, and then there is the island nations. Our objectives are completely different, and we need to find the bridge to link the two objectives. "But it [withdrawing] is an option that is not excluded. [I would do it] very, very reluctantly but it is not excluded." Lowy also announced that former Socceroo coach Jozef Venglos - a long-time technical adviser to both FIFA and the European body, UEFA - will be coming to Australia in February to advise on the development program and prepare a blueprint for the appointment of a new national technical director. In other developments, Lowy warned the Victorian Soccer Federation it would have to accept the constitutional reforms outlined in the Federal Government's Crawford report or be replaced by another body. "Either they'll embrace it or they're out," Lowy said. "It is an absolute condition of the government funding [$15 million] that we implement the Crawford Report. Because a few people don't go along with it, what are we going to do, bankrupt the game? We've been given the power by the stakeholders. We don't want to use it, but we have that power." Crowdie
well that means we would be in a "floating position" like Israel was for the past 30 years until joining UEFA.
I like the idea of all of the OFC joining East Asia in a new Confederationa and letting West/Central Asia/Mideast become another Confederation.
The way I see it is that Oceania needs Australia. Australia does not need Oceania. Being a descent squad in Oceania will do no one any good. The island nations have their own agenda that does not match Australia or NZ's. Unfortunately NZ are not strong enough to really make any impact on going on their own, but, without Oz in the picture they will have no real competition left in the region to improve with. Maybe on the other hand, if OZ leaves the OFC then Asia may take OFC in as they will not have to worry about facing OZ which seems to be a large dilema of theirs (which is understandable considering the strength of their top teams and OZ). NZ could well benefit from this as Asia would not be to worried about them, for the short term anyway. On OZ leaving OFC, well where to go??? FIFA have a tendancy to want to not upset Asia or N. and Central Americas by tossing them against the might of South America but no hesitation in throwing the OFC champion to the wolves. So in my opinion why not link up with them. This venture would then mean 11 countries to battle out 4.5 - 5 slots. It would also mean 20 full on qualifying games in hostile environments over a space of 2 years. Other tournaments and their qualifiers and friendlies would provide OZ with a great run in and team building. We could play a portion of our home games in the US and some in OZ. Even if we can not have any at home I would prefer to be up at 02:00hrs to watch a Socceroos match than a handful of matches every 4 years with only 2 worthwhile. Sure, the S Americans might not want another coountry joining in their little club but I don't think the big 4 would be scared of OZ, or even the next 3 for that matter. This would also rectify another problem. Club vs Country. Which clubs will take on S. America as apposed to the manner of respect given to OFC. Anyway, thats my grumble put out there...
Well if anyone will remember we last qualified as a 'rogue' nation. Not part of any confederation at all! Israel was also doing the same until they joined UEFA. We can do that but that would undermine the OFC and the region will be just that a swamp of minnows that will never grow. But if the south east asian nations joined the OFC then they would strengthen the confederation and make FIFA take notice. and eventually the pulling power of such a confederation would eventually lead to a full spot and later another half spot as the world cup is bound to increase to more teams than 32. inevitable.
Everybody knows that Lowy needs to shape up or ship out. That guy is the biggest loser. Is it any wonder that Australia hates him
what are you talking about mate? I think that kind of comment should be kept to yourself. What would you rather have, a board that argues and can't get anything done? Or a new board that will strive to build the best game in the world to its true status? I would choose the second choice by far.
I was following Australian national team for some time. You are all right, Australia is too strong for Oceania. So Australia doesn't really need them(even NZ), but to be honest I don't think the Asians would be to happy if they get to pay with the islands either. I think you should stick with what you got for now or leave FIFA if you don't think it is fair. Just a historical fact, Mexico was very upset to play in North America, they always wanted to play in South America and still do. But you just can't beat Geography, so they had to stay with their neighboors.
true but if China PR beats Sri Lanka 8-0 you wonder the same in AFC? Iran beating the Phillipines 11-0 and the Maldives are copping a flogging. Asia has 3 times or more teams than the OFC but it is that there are more minnows in the OFC and get more coverage and widely critisised over it. Asia needs to break up as a federation to ease the pressure on the body. Having 11 or 12 odd Asian teams in the OFC would be great!
Well, perhaps South-East Asia could be added to your group? 1 best team could go to the world cup. I personally think that if you do that, only 2 more asian team should be able to advance to the next round. Middle East/Central asia/South Asia and Far East. Not more than 3 total, no offence but in Europe the overall level of teams is a lot higher and when teams like Sweden, Belguim and Romania don't make it to the world cup and teams like China or Jamaica do it is upsetting. I think it is a little bit unfair. So if some changes should be done, I think it should not increase the number of spaces for the teams in Asia/Oceania.
What the AFC has more than 50 nations wanting to qualify for the 3.5 spots is damn tough. If 15 of them in South East Asia join the OFC then they would have a higher chance of qualifying for the playoff spot and Australia, New Zealand and the likes of Fiji can have more match practice.
I agree, it is hard to compete against a large number of teams but it is a good constant game practice. Besides if most of the teams suck so badly that they can't even beat some 3rd level European soccer teams, I don't think they should be given any more spots honestly.
True but we don't see in the media China PR thrashing the Maldives 22-0 or Iran beating Sri Lanka 9-0 but we do see Australia 32-0 against American Samoa because that is the OFC and people want to rubbish it. If more Asian nations joined us then they will get stronger and a full spot may be on the cards.
Asia have 4.5 spaces allocated whilst Oceania has 0.5 places. If you combine, not only the two confederations, but also their places (5) then no additional places have to be made available (hence no fear by other confederations of losing places). Won't happen because Asia sees Australia taking their half place (which they currently can share with a low North/Central American team) with also the possibility of NZ taking another full place from their traditional pool of places. Cheers. Andy T.
You have a point there but i am sure the asian nations would like to join the ofc if we have a full spot as they would have a higher chance of making the finals than in the afc.
there is another solutions to this problem. UEFA can create groups, which would consist of random teams from all over the world. Each group will consist of: 1 European 1 NA 1 African 1 Asian 1 SA 1 Oceania or something like that. this way nobody would complain about the level of their divisions and it will give more chances to the stronger teams to make it to the finals.
That could work but then again the clubs would complain. I suggested a world ladder and the top 32 qualify but BS people said that wouldn't work! i think that would be a great idea realrussian!
Fan, I've already suggested elsewheres that the World Cup should be run as a true cup competition such as a combination of the English FA Cup and the European Champions League tournament formats. It'd start off as a home & away knock-out competition until the final 32 teams were sorted and then move into the current WC format. All teams at the start of the WC tournament cycle would be seeded by their FIFA (or any other better) ranking system, as at the end of the just-decided WC (eg for this coming WC 2006 - ratings as at end of WC 2002). All nations would know their opponents & pathways into the last 32 of the WC Finals instantaneously, at the completion of any current WC. New nations to the WC could also be easily accommodated by adding them to the draw. There would be a lot less games (and hence travelling) played due to avoiding confederation-based round-robin tournaments & sub-tournaments and the knocking-out of teams as they are beaten (home & away). All time-slots for WC playoffs could be syncronised across the planet (home & away games should be played & completed in the 1st 3 years of the WC cycle). This method would be much better than the grossly politically motivated allocation of WC Finals places and we would most certainly end up with the best 32 teams in the WC finals. Won't happen as UEFA & CONMEBOL (who control over 50% of FIFA's votes) and the rich & powerful clubs are against a truly universal World Cup. Cheers. Andy T.
After that post i realised that you would have to do the same with the 50 odd AFC nations so It wouldn't work i totally agree.