What Were You Thinking? (Football in General)

Name: AcidicWit

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Product:	Football in General
Date:	02/07/00 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tony Banks just has to be sacked.

Disadvantages: There won't be a mascot called "World Cup Willy."

On Thursday, the world will almost certainly once again witness English football disappointment as they learn that they have not won the bidding to stage the 2006 World Cup.

I can visualise the scenes now -- Charlton, Banks and Blair weeping openly on the steps of Lancaster Gate: "All our work ruined by a tiny minority of hooligans. Damn our terrible misfortune!"

Excuse me while I chuckle heartily, will you?

Ah, that's better. I'm an Irishman, myself. Not one of the many anti-English Irishmen, I should point out, but an Irishman nonetheless. But I would like to say how delighted I'll be when South Africa is awarded the tournament.

Not because of "the tiny minority of hooligans", you understand. Rather, I can't help but feel England destroyed their chances with their staging of Euro '96. Sure, the politicians, the FA and even many pundits may say it was a magnificently staged tournament but in truth, England and Scotland matches aside, it provided none of the atmosphere of France '98 and Euro 2000. Absolutely none.

How could it? Empty stadia do not "a magnificently staged tournment" make. Surely we all recall the France - Czech Republic semi-final being played in front of a lifeless Old Trafford crowd (no change there then)? Or what about the frighteningly empty Anfield that hosted the amazing 3-3 draw between Russia and the Czech Republic? In fact, aside from England and Scotland matches and the final, itself, the number of empty seats at every game was cringe-inducing.

According to the FA, of course, they had sold all the tickets. Sorry, I'm going to have to have another hearty chuckle at that one. And to think, they had the audacity to complain about the ticket arrangements for France '98!

And yet, somehow, after that, it was decided that England was ready to host a World Cup. I have on question for the FA and government --
"What were you thinking?" England losing narrowly in the semi-final does not make Euro '96 a successful tournament. Having to watch matches played in front of tiny, uninterested crowds, however, confirms the opposite.

Ok, I may not get the cheap little thrill of watching a World Cup match at my beloved Anfield six years from now, but at least matches at Bloemfontein will be played in front of capacity crowds.

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