By RYAN TOLMICH
Despite last week’s statement from FIFA regarding corruption at the 2018 and 2022 World Cup, a former English FA chairman is joining the rallying cry for FIFA reform.
David Bernstein, who left the role as chairman last year, has called for nations to boycott the upcoming World Cups due to the “totalitarian” organization’s choice of 2022 hosts Qatar, which Bernstein ruled was “one of the most ludicrous decisions in the history of sport”.
“England on its own cannot influence this – one country can’t do it,” Bernstein said. “If we tried to do something like that we’d be laughed at. I think England within UEFA undoubtedly have the power to influence FIFA, but to do so they would have to consider withdrawing from the World Cup, the next World Cup, unless proper reform – including [the FIFA president Sepp] Blatter not standing [for a fifth term] – is carried out at FIFA.
“If I was at the FA now, I would do everything I could to encourage other nations within UEFA – and there are some who would definitely be on side, others maybe not – to take this line. At some stage you have to walk the talk, stop talking and do something.”
Bernstein also pointed out that the World Cup would become virtually irrelevant if the powers within UEFA stood together to boycott.
“It sounds drastic but frankly this has gone on for years now, it’s not improving, it’s going from bad to worse to worse,” he added. “There are 54 countries within UEFA. There’s Germany, Spain, Italy, France and Holland – all powerful. You can’t hold a serious World Cup without them. They have the power to influence if they have the will.”
Here are some more of Monday morning’s news and notes:
DE ROSSI CRITICIZES STADIUM SECURITY FOLLOWING FIREWORK TROUBLE
Italy’s Euro 2016 qualifying clash with Croatia was halted twice due to fan behavior, sparking criticism from Italian star Danielle De Rossi.
The midfielder questioned the stadium’s security, who reportedly chose to forego typical search procedures in an effort to marshall fans into the stadium ahead of kickoff. As a result, Croatian fans caused the halting of the game on two separate occasions due to the use of flares.
“It certainly wasn’t pretty,” De Rossi said following the game. “It was a fair game on the field and the only time play was stopped was because of them. Unfortunately, it seems you can bring anything into stadiums nowadays and I really don’t know why.”
UEFA are set to look into the incident and assess possible punishments upon receiving the referee’s report.
EVERTON’S MARTINEZ SAYS BARKLEY CAN BE ENGLAND’S BEST EVER
In a country with a history littered with some of the game’s most recognizable stars, England’s Ross Barkley has received the backing of his club manager to become the nation’s best ever player.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez said Sunday that he believes that the 20-year-old Barkley will emerge as an England legend.
“There is no doubt in my mind he will be the best player England has ever had,” Martinez said. “Ross has everything. Normally a player has the pace and power to get around the pitch, or they have the vision to pick a pass. Ross can do both of those things. He is two footed, he’s intelligent and he is also in love with the game.”
Barkley and England are set to take on Scotland Tuesday.
QUICK KICKS
Manchester United’s Daley Blind suffered a suspected knee ligament injury in the Netherlands’ 6-0 win over Latvia. (REPORT)
Egypt, Algeria, Gabon and Ghana have been chosen as possible hosts for the 2017 African Cup of Nations. (REPORT)
Turkish club Genclerbirligi has instituted a fine system for players with facial hair. (REPORT)
With David De Gea injured, Manchester United will not be able to sign free agent goalkeeper Victor Valdes ahead of Saturday’s clash with Arsenal. (REPORT)
—-
What do you think of a potential boycott? How should stadiums handle security for high-profile matches? What do you expect from Barkley in the coming seasons?
Share your thoughts below.
what about as a fan, could you boycott the WorldCup? i’ve been thinkin’ about this for awhile now, soccer is one of the biggest things in my life and idk if could do without it. but the more this corrupt nonsense goes on the more i consider it. hopefully England, Germany, USA and Australia will do what’s right, the others will follow
I think that as fans, as long as our country boycotts the World Cup, it’s easy then to boycott the World Cup yourself and then watch the friendlies that take place outside of the 32 participating nations. It’s not as exciting or competitive, but it’s still international competition. Plus, MLS doesn’t even take a break for the entirety of the tournament, so that’s also a plus for MLS fans
I disagree with one thing Mr. Bernstein said. One nation can influence the decision and that nation is Germany. If the reigning champs and frequent semi-finalist said “Nein”, the whole house of cards would fall. And I bet getting Germany would get the US as well and that is a lot of money out of FIFA’s pocket.
+ 1
As I pointed out above, the head of the German league is now talking openly about withdrawing from FIFA.
They have to if FIFA persists with this farce. You can’t have a World Cup in Qatar in the summer, and the big Euro leagues will not alter their schedules so Qatar can have it in the winter either.
FIFA’s in too deep with Qatar to admit wrongdoing, because if they admit wrongdoing, they’re done.
On the other hand, if they don’t admit wrongdoing, they’re also done, because Qatar is just too unacceptable to everybody.
I don’t see any way out. FIFA is about to implode, and when it happens, it’s going to happen very quickly.
The more who speak up, the more who will be willing to speak up. UEFA is the most influential conference, we need to hear from other conferences. But what would really tip the scales is the sponsors speak up. Sponsors are the $$, and for FIFA, $$ talks.
Very true. Unfortunately, I think it’s a chicken-or-the-egg scenario. As long as the sponsors make boatloads of cash supporting FIFA, they’re unlikely to pull out. And so long as FIFA continues to receive lucrative sponsorships, it’s unlikely to make any substantial changes. It’s all quid pro quo garbage.
So here we are again, as fans, wondering how this big, corrupt system continues to steam ahead…
I think that we, as fans, are part of what is making this big, corrupt system continue to steam ahead. As SoCal Soccer Mom said, money talks, especially with FIFA. What we, as fans, can do is actively and loudly get together and boycott FIFA sponsors. Soccer is such a powerful force around the world, the financial and PR blow to those companies would all but force them to drop their sponsorship of FIFA, which would speak more loudly even than all of UEFA boycotting the World Cup.
Ha that has been said since the beginning of time and guess what nothing changes. Because at the end of the day more people could care less then care. And as long as that ration stays the same nothing will change.
This has the makings of the top guys not wanting to say that same thing so they have a low level guy say it and see how the reaction is.
It IS the first step of taking FIFA out. Whether it happens or not, it is the first step.
At this point to take away the world cup from Qatar. It is too late in my opinion…and to go into hyperbole public statements like the worst decisions in sports history, just is more of a slap in the face of the country of Qatar. It was a bad choice, that has already been made.
The combo of those two things is going to be crazy.
There isn’t going to be a World Cup in Qatar…at least, not much of one.
I think it’s questionable that FIFA will even exist by 2022.
The German FA is now openly talking about UEFA withdrawing from FIFA. If Germany goes, a whole lot of other countries – including England, the USA, and Australia – will be right on board as well.
I said it a few days ago when FIFA tried this whitewash: FIFA is done. It’s now just a question of when.
http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/story/2146712/german-football-league-president-says-uefa-could-leave-fifa
Hey England, instead of boycotting the World Cup, qualify for both…. when you get there, send 11 men on the pitch and tell them to SIT DOWN. That would make a bigger statement than trying to “organize a boycott”.
No it wouldn’t. It would be ineffective and embarassing.
Not sure how it would be “ineffective”, but I think the “embarrassing” is what the FA (England) is going for. Since millions watch world cup games. How better to embarrass FIFA and make a statement than by taking the field and NOT playing?!
While you’re at it have them hold their breath until FIFA agrees with them.
“England on its own cannot influence this – one country can’t do it,” Bernstein said.
It certainly would be nice to see more countries take a stand. However, I imagine the act of standing could be quite hard on some of these associations with how much money is weighing down their trousers.