World Cup 2002 - Organizing

[Keeper]

Organisers of next year's World Cup in Japan and Korea are considering introducing an alcohol ban in the stadiums - because England could qualify.

. . . .

'The way English fans support their team is very enthusiastic and noisy. At first there were a lot of fearful looking supporters. It's not common for fans to drink in the streets with bottles and glasses at home. It would frighten the Japanese people.'

The whole article.

 

[Keeper]

Time Outs

Thursday, March 7, 2002
Update 2002: Time up for time-outs
By Dale Johnson, Soccernet.com

Plans to slice up this year's World Cup matches into quarters appear unlikely to get the go-ahead, with FIFA insisting they would not change the rules of the game just for one tournament.

Reports had suggested that one 90-second break could be scheduled for each half to enable players to take on water in the humid conditions in South Korea and Japan.

Criticism was immediate and fierce. Many people believed that the breaks were only suggested to provide extra commercial opportunities and to pander to the demands of the television companies.

Such breaks were also considered during USA '94 when the American TV stations complained that 45 minutes without an advertisement break was too long. In the States, they are used to time-outs in their live sports - perfect for commercials.

But FIFA has insisted that there is only a 'very slim' chance that breaks will be introduced - for this World Cup at least.

FIFA official Keith Cooper said: 'I think there is a big confusion here. Last week in Tokyo we had a workshop with the 32 finalist teams and it was mentioned it would be a desirable thing to do. This would be a major change in the laws of the game and we don't change those overnight and certainly not for one competition.

'The laws of the game are sacrosanct and this would apply right across the board, from the World Cup right down to Saturday morning park matches. If the organising committee are in favour of taking it further it goes to the FIFA board and if anyone will allow it, it will be them, but the likelihood is very slim.

 

[Captain Shamrock]

Don't know where this fits but.....

And I always thought the fcuking Scots were cheap......



World-Irish players' wives left offside for World Cup


DUBLIN, March 25 (Reuters) - The wives of Irish footballers playing in this year's World Cup will have to make their own way to Japan and South Korea to cheer on their spouses.

The Football Association of Ireland said on Monday if players wanted their wives and children to accompany them to the tournament they would have to pay for flights and accommodation themselves.

``It's up to each individual player to make his own arrangements for his family,'' a spokesman for the FAI told Reuters.

``At no time did the players expect their partners to be brought to the World Cup by the FAI,'' he said, adding that the players preferred the FAI to use any spare cash to develop Irish football.

But the wife of a current member of Mick McCarthy's squad, who declined to be named, was reported in one newspaper as saying Irish footballers' wives would like to get the same treatment as the partners of English soccer stars, who are expected to be flown to the Far East by the English FA.

``Of course we'd love be treated the same way as the English wives, but anyone who raises their voice about it will be regarded as a bitch,'' she was quoted in the Irish edition of The Star newspaper as saying.


I also just read that there are still 100, 000 tickets available for the games in Korea. That is pretty shitty considering the tournament is just over 2 months away......

 

[CDK]

C'mon, Captain.

The World Cup is just a 'road trip' for Ireland anyway. Like going to a Kamloops or Penticton tourney. No man in his right mind would bring his wife along on a road trip, would he?

CDwhothinksthewivesshouldstayhomeandwatchthekidsandcookandcleanandhaveahotdinnerwaiting.

 

[Captain Shamrock]

Thanks for putting things in perspective, CDK. I can always count on you for that.


TheCaptainwhosecretlyagreesonwhatCDKsaid

 

[Luch]

CBC

I certainly hope that the Germany/Argie friendly that CBC is currently showing isn't a sign of what is to come in terms of WC commentators (Armitage/Lenarduzzi). Bloody awful. Armitage hasn't a clue.