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Earlier this week UEFA decided to back Germany as the European bid for the World Cup in 2006. Although it is FIFA that decides it is likely that they will be heavily influenced by the decision. The only other nation even interested is Brazil and the World Cup has been over the Atlantic since 1982. This all means that the most successful bid from Europe will probably win. The ruling authority seems to think it can decide who this will be.
England has the most money, best stadiums and also the most sporting players and crowds. The FA could easily strengthen our already substantial bid. Firstly they could alter it to one from the United Kingdom, this would give it the cosmopolitan air that they seem to want and not commit it to one country. Fixtures could be played at the new Hampden Park and Cardiff Arms Park Stadiums even if Wales and Scotland didn’t qualify. The Welsh and Scottish authorities aren’t exactly going to object since they have no chance of ever staging anything except from Rugby. Secondly they could state exactly how much cash is available and bugger the Bundesbank backwards, the Lotteries’ coffers are overflowing and it has to go somewhere. Instead of letting Graham Kelly huff, they should be busily pointing out the progress of this countries game, the success of Euro’ 96 and the present dominance of our sides in Europe. We could reveal secret plans to allocate more tickets to our ‘guests’ from abroad, plans for hospitality of away fans and guarantees of cheap seats at every game. I doubt UEFA will change their mind since the chairman of the decision committee and the chief secretary are both strangely German, but hopefully FIFA will see sense.
On the domestic scene, it is pleasing to see that Newcastle and Liverpool have yet again been relegated to also-rans unable to win anything, the only likely title challenge will come from Arsenal as the Red Devils romp to a third double. Stockport are a pretty solid bet for the cup, seeing how Middlesborough struggled against Hednesford it is not beyond them to get to the final and surprise everyone by staking a place in Europe. The treatment given to this trophy is ludicrous, for all but the big four it is the most direct and easiest way into Europe and a first round tie with some plucky Swedish part-timers, yet no one seems to care till the quarter finals.
While our cricketers would improve their record by coming home, our Rugby team seem to be on their way to a crushing Grand Slam. Although initially uncertain our national side is going in the right direction, the killer instinct present in destroying Scotland has been sadly missing recently. They are expected to take the triple crown and the only true test will be against the French. My only uncertainty would be over the captaincy, Jack Rowell must now relegate one of his best two centres to the bench every game. However who can complain if we continue to win so well ?
