Qatar has truly made history today, and our deepest congratulations must go to HH the Emir’s leadership efforts and the whole team responsible for the bid, well done. We (People living in Qatar) are really proud of you. I will just say for loser "Grapes are Sour"
I left this thread a long time ago because I cannot argue with Flor and his poor english, I can't even grasp what he is saying above 'hate qatar' over and over again.
Nice to see that a good night for flor is to get drunk and post on QL, if my mind was several pints full I wouldn't be on here!
Pathetic, though I understand why you all feel compelled to reply to flor, he throws such rubbish around that you have to defend it on the basis of a lunatic taking over the asylum.
before the announcement of hosts, we discussed it extensively, and now that a decision was made, you still complain. And you are implying now that you LOVE Qatar? And all those who are celebrating the event are WRONG? Those who went out on the street and celebrate with the Qatar Officials were wrong?
Don't put malice in my postings to make your views right! Lift yourselves up by now stepping on someone's view. We respect each other view but it seems that you are all getting personal against me. Complain to FIFA, not here on QL! This is just a discussion!
I dont really have a problem with you as it goes, what i do have a problem with, and find offensive, is that small minded people like yourself label all people who did not support the Qatar bid for the WC, Qatar HATERS! I can safely say that I do not hate Qatar, infact i quite like it. What i do not like is people like you who try and twist peoples words to whip up tension. Grow up!
and that will never change, with regards to the WC. I am not on the other hand anti Qatar as you seem to think, there is a world of difference you stirring twat.
"we" do get the difference between not supporting the bid & being "anti-Qatar",you,as you've just stated yourself above,don't...watch those teeth as you pull that foot out...yet again!...
you're getting out of line, the Mods are observing! Don't even think that you own QL!
Implying a majority were bought was also a serious allegation? I really don't know why QL is allowing you to say it when it was not proven when an allegation did hit the news!
what is the weather like in your world? I would like to ask you ONE question: 1, Why do you keep repeating that by not supporting the WC bid we are anti Qatar? are you really that stupid?
"sinister"...oohh! all James bond like!...you do provide a good laugh,i'll give you that!...btw,the "whole FIFA excom" needn't be bought...a majority of the votes were required...not all of them...but of course you knew that...'cos FLOR KNOWS EVERYTHING!...:)
excom bought? Is that how "desperate" you think? So what's you next move, file a complaint? Flood this forum with anti-Qatar postings. Am I not right to think that there is a "sinister" move on your part that you accused FIFA being bought by a bidder? Are you even think that there will be a re-bid? MAybe you just need to drink to relax. You need one!
@ Flor,i didn't anticipate the FIFA excom selling out,if that's what you mean!..."Because all in your mind is getting several pints and what????????????"...er, could you repeat that?...this time in English please...i'm sorry but i don't speak Flor!...
WK, you did not badmouth me, please review early discussion about this issue! My opinion from the very beginning was there and as I've said, I'm not hard-pressed for Qatar to win. What I said then and I say it again, I support Qatar.
Check the early threads about the bids and tell me who is who?
Many are mainstream opposition to the bid and when I spoke about my view, what did I get, PLENTY of badmouthing using the worst foul language that one can imagine. And now, it seems that the word "sour graping" is a bad thing? You people need to refresh your memory.
And Gadarene, I am not the one! You are the expert in WC and yet you did not see that Qatar will get the 2022? Because all in your mind is getting several pints and what????????????
but of course,anyone that disagrees with the mainstream & voices their own opinion based on legitimate facts...let's label it "sour grapes",is that a term someone learnt at school today or something??? i mean seriously,the issues are staring you right in the face,some choose to address it,some don't prefering instead to turn a blind eye to it & just go with the flow rather than actually have an opinion that was formulated using a brain somewhere along the way...so please people,some see it one way,some see it the other,that's all it is...you want to call it "sour grapes",so be it...to each his/her own,that might be difficult to digest having gotten used to a herd mentality here but please don't force your views on others or call it "sour grapes" when someone states an opinion that is different from yours...it's just a different opinion,that's all...people think differently,that's what makes the world go round...deal with it....
It is not sour grapes as I do not despise Russia for winning. If I am to be described; it should be as frustrated and just as dissapointed as millions of other football fans who also saw their country miss out. Something was wrong with the voting for all the bidders.
It is done now and nothing can change this decision and best of luck to both Russia and Qatar.
I don't understand how voicing legitimate concerns is sour grapes? I have never and will never blindly back anything, and while I'm rooting for Qatar to hold a great World Cup I'm going to voice my concerns.
@ Isobel,you guys hosted once before in '66 & also won it that year...England deserved more than 2 votes as did some of the other bidders for 2022...if all bids are going to be given based on an emotional speech & a fancy powerpoint presentation/ad campaign,what's the point of a tedious,time-consuming technical evaluation of the ground realities?...
please redirect all "Flor" related comments to "Flor living.com"...a separate website that has been set up to deal with the MASSIVE inflow of all "Flor specific" comments & topics...any & all donations welcome for site upkeep,payable by "FlorCard"(available to purchase on the site for a small fee.)...
@ Isobel,funny you should say that,quite a few of us here share that sentiment...now i wonder why that is?!...
was up to hosting it! We gave a good bid. We lost, so did the others!
Really pleased Qatar got it; they did honestly gave a fantastic presentation and despite the negativity from some posters on here...I actually think Qatar will do a great a WC.
England was scuppered; we may not have won it but I do think we deserved better than 2 points.
@ Isobel "The result was decided a long time ago and THAT is the frustrating thing. Whoever bid deserved a fair crack of the whip and it 'seems' they were not."
FIFA announced two consecutive bid winners for the first time,meaning the result was pre-decided for BOTH bids,Australia have NEVER hosted before either,have they not been dealt with as unfairly as England if not more so?...don't get me wrong,i'm just going by what you said & you seem to be saying that while England lost to a pre-determined bid, Qatar's was won fair & square??? despite being rated "highest risk" by FIFA's technical evaluation committee???
As for England not being upto hosting it,let's look at the main requirements for hosting a World Cup:-13 World Cup worthy stadiums,England has ALL 13 @ full capacity...public transport network,you tell me,between the train & bus network,is any part of the country or specifically access to any of those 13 stadiums not in place? No,everything is already up & running...accommodation for the fans & teams,do you think England has any less than 60,000 hotel rooms as required by FIFA?...commercial returns,FIFA's technical evaluation already assessed England as a "high return" venue...so i must be missing something or maybe you know something i don't but i don't see how England could not be upto hosting it...
QChris referred to Russia in another thread as a "Mafia State" and I can't help picture all of the FIFA judges waking up in the morning next to some bloody horses heads LOL.
But I agree with Isobel, I'm more shocked with the Russia decision than the Qatar one. I was really hoping England would get 2018.
A good post Isobel and I agree. If it looks like there is sour grapes then please allow me to put some perspective on it. Football is not just a sport in the UK it is a passion for a lot of people. Of course there are those who don't get it and thats fine...but the truth is you put a few people together for more than 5mins and the conversation will normally have football in it somewhere. Many fans put their life on hold for 90 mins every week, they travel up and down the country following their team, and spend lots of time and money doing so. Just look at the pictures of men, women and children out in the cold celebrating the WC bidding and waiting with hopeful expectations.
Does that mean we deserve the WC? No it doesn't but it does mean that we are bitterly disappointed we lost it and in such circumstances emotions and feelings run high. Its sad to think that the next time we could potentially host it I and many other people who would love to take their kids to a WC in their home country will not get a chance to do so.
I think the key question is what is that criteria for a successful WC bid? If it is that you have never hosted it, that the developed infrastructure would substantially benefit your country, that you will furnish the pocket of FIFA with substantial amounts of money, that the game will be reaching a new audience then thats fine. I dont criticize that but be honest about it form the start. If that was always the case then FIFA were predetermined NOT to award it to the UK and USA (and possibly AUS although they have never hosted it) and in which case their whole bids were a farce and a waste of public money.
And some here may consider it perfectly natural to trade bids or ensure those voting had the 'incentive' to do so the 'right' way, but I don't and nor do the majority of people in the UK. So mix in bitter disappointment with a possibility of a bidding process that is not in accordance with our sense of fair play... and the result is a media frenzy and 'sour grapes'.
Anyway, the die is cast and the boats have come in. Sour grapes or justified complaint it makes no difference to the result. Of course the UK was not up against Qatar so its no odds to me on the front. I also think holding it in the Middle East is also a great thing to do for world politics. Sport builds bridges after all. At the end of the day I believe the people of Qatar and Russia are passionate about hosting the WC and I am sure both countries will overcome the inevitable hurdles any country would face in hosting such an event and ultimately hold a great WC.
I am very pleased Qatar won the bid for 2022; it will change some peoples perception of the Middle East (even though this is actually The Gulf). Qatar will put on a fantastic event; they have the money, the space and by that time they will have built an adequate infrastructure.
Hearing comments from friends back in the UK; the only 'negativity' voiced is; (a) they did not know where Qatar was and some wrongly presumed it was like Saudi Arabia (b) the heat; this has been answered and I doubt very much the bid would have given unless Qatar knew they had the technology for the stadiums to be AC controlled. Qatars' presentation was one of the best.
With regards 'sour grapes'. If there are any it is directed at the choice of 2018 and that is Russia. Somebody had to lose and I am sure the other bidding nations are just as upset and frustrated as England. However; there is something very fishy about the whole thing. My 'sour grapes' is not who won but how they got the votes to secure the bid.
I doubt very much the rioting in Birmingham or even the BBC allowing the Panaroma programme to be aired had anything to do with the result. The result was decided a long time ago and THAT is the frustrating thing. Whoever bid deserved a fair crack of the whip and it 'seems' they were not.
There seems to be some bias towrds England as a nation and that is wrong as FIFA supports non racism in football. I don't know if England was up to hosting it; we have the Olympics and for that we are grateful. With the economy being what it is there; it may have helped or by winning could have made things worse.
FIFA should change the voting to a lottery. All bidders had fulfilled the technical requirements of FIFA. Qatar was considered at "High Overall Risk." Never mind. Why not put all the bidders who comply with the requirements in a pot and have a blindfolded beautiful girl draw the winner. That could definitely remove any corruption, wouldn't it?
Dump the lame attempt at moral superiority and telling everyone what to do and you may end up with a modicum of respect instead of everyone responding to you with utter disgust and disdain.
the hate continue. Why can't you people just relax and you will keep on talking that way for the next 12 years? Do you even have a life other than WC? If you really believe that it will be a boring WC, so what? Will you be affected personally? If Qatar don't come with the expectation, that's 12 years to preempt! Prove to us now that you really don't "hate" Qatar with such sour graping.
But I advise you people to have a medical check-up. The pressure must be increasing everyday and your mind may not take it anymore? Lol! You know who you are. For sure you will resort again to badmouthing JUST to be "heard"? By whom? I wonder who!
@ linc,have you ever had the "pleasure" of visiting one of this city's hotel bars on a Thursday or Friday night?!...meaning no disrespect whatsoever to starving African children,it is reminiscent of famine relief being handed out in Africa...now that's just the residents of Qatar...what will happen when half a million fans descend on the country???...i cannot stress this point enough & people still don't seem to get it...football is called the COMMON MAN'S game,it is NOT about 5 star hotel culture & their overpriced bars...it is neither possible nor logical for ANY 5 star hotel to accomodate thousands of travelling football fans,a move the fans themselves would shun in the first place...nobody is asking to be allowed to drink in the stands...
As for the AA chapters,ever wondered why that is?...travel guidebooks label Doha "the dullest city in the middle east",that my friend is the reason so many expats in this country who come here as regular social drinkers turn into alcoholics,simply because there isn't much else for them to do after work...one must address any issue in it's fullness...
now holds a New Zealand passport. I guess it's okay for him to poison Kiwi culture with his Tunisian identity. His type never feels it necessary to demonstrate the tolerance they are always demanding from others.
Nope, just responding to idiots who can barely string a sentence together and think they are clever because they have the backing of their masters victory.
i thought 2nd December was a nightmare for U, but U seem to have it on daily basis .......... Chill mate and support ur country for WC 2026, hope U 'll get it.
I think one of the appeals of a French, African or German World Cup is that you don't have to have tickets for the game to enjoy it.
You can wander to a bar, soak up the atmosphere with a beer, meet the people that work there.
Can you that being the case here? Fan zones sure, but that is 'in-stadium'. I am talking about, well....down every street, not just a hotel.
It's quite sad really. I know I am focusing on alcohol but as I keep stressing, that is what the normal guy (from afar) wants! Alot of the tourism generated by a tournament isn't even from people going to the games.
Qhris--There is no chance of the licenses being pulled from the major hotels, especially not now. My guess is that they will have major evening functions on their grounds for fans--if they have any business sense whatsoever.
Yes alcohol is restricted, but my guess is that this has as much to do with the hugely profitable stranglehold QDC has than any thing else. Besides, its not much stricter here than in parts of western Texas and Utah. No beer at Applebees there either.
My guess is that there will be alcohol regardless, and there is little anyone will be able to do about it either way.
No shortage of alcohol in Qatar. Just restrictions on who can drink it. The majority of football fans will be welcome in the hotel bars, etc. They just won't be able to drink in the stands, which is probably a good thing. For the record, AA has some its largest chapters here.
@ garbage collector,ever heard the term "majority wins" my friend?...only the host nation is new for 2022 mate,the powers of World football will have their contingent of fans like they do for every World Cup & like @ every World Cup,MOST of those fans will want to drink...A LOT,that is something that's not going to change...so if you're worried about Qhris "poisoning identities & cultures",i strongly recommend YOU stay home because you will be in for the shock of your life come 2022!...because @ the end of the day,Qatar i'm sure do & will want to be seen as good hosts...one of their main bidding points was the renowned Arabian hospitality,the LAST thing they want is fans feeling the exact opposite...so like it or not,alcohol is going to consumed, come 2022...in a manner this country has never seen before & if they do restrict it,the majority of the fans will not be happy & unhappy fans means bad media publicity & that is the LAST thing Qatar would want...because the ONLY thing worse than losing this bid,would be winning it & then hosting a World Cup with so many unhappy fans because the fans are what make the tournament special...i strongly recommend you visit a few "poisonous venues" in Qatar from now on,just to get a SMALL feel & have SOME idea of what you can expect in 2022! good luck!...
And you should get used to not drinking it if you want to go to that world cup, otherwise just stick to your "fine" TV set and "fine" wine. People like you are poison to identities and cultures.
The weather is harsh and I think will be a big hardship on the athletes but it's not like nobody can survive it. I remember somebody writing that players would have heart attacks and heat stroke running from the busses to the stadium. lol
But again, it is understandable that there are a lot of sour grapes in the immediate aftermath of such a shocking decision. How shocked do you think Qataris were when they didn't get the Olympics? Even if it was expected they wouldn't I imagine there were a lot of sour grapes in private.
Corruption is only corruption if it varies from the norm. And bribery, vote trading, intimidation, etc. is the norm of global politics, and FIFA is an extension of that. Anyone who enters the bidding game has to be prepared for that, otherwise there is no chance. The US is not good at these things any more. In the old days of the 1980s it could count a on contingent of loyal backers who lapped up aid money. The world is more dynamic now, and the US has not kept up--although it did do better than England. My sense is that the US looked at the landscape in terms of what countries would support it, whereas Russia and Qatar looked at the voters and asked which INDIVIDUALS would support them.
So, yes, I would agree that Qatar outbid the US fairly and squarely.
LincolnPirate--all of these things are "fixed" in the since that everyone involved is trying to fix it. Face it, the Qataris played the game and won. They, and the Russians, are much better at these sorts of things, particularly when in comes to dealing with delegates from third-world countries, than the Americans or English--as the votes bear out. I would say the savviest move was getting FIFA to announce two world cup hosts at once. It allowed vote trading and for a country like Qatar to trade on potential rather than existing infrastructure. Anyone can build the necessary stuff in 12 years--at least theoretically. Good for them. I suspect few of us will still be here in 12 years, so it will be interesting to see how much the place has changed.
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@ ex.expat,like i told the twat,sorry, but i don't speak Flor!...
I left this thread a long time ago because I cannot argue with Flor and his poor english, I can't even grasp what he is saying above 'hate qatar' over and over again.
Nice to see that a good night for flor is to get drunk and post on QL, if my mind was several pints full I wouldn't be on here!
Pathetic, though I understand why you all feel compelled to reply to flor, he throws such rubbish around that you have to defend it on the basis of a lunatic taking over the asylum.
and what????????????"
Read more: http://www.qatarliving.com/node/1478880#ixzz17Ye8LKQH
Perhaps that makes sense on florliving.com but it doesn't here. ;)
and next to him was saying "Asstralia"
a quote from the voting debacle......"Qatar, I always think of someone clearing their throat when I hear people say that"
of a comment that i said 'they were wrong to celebrate' you really are detatched from reality.
Think it's time to close this discussion
before the announcement of hosts, we discussed it extensively, and now that a decision was made, you still complain. And you are implying now that you LOVE Qatar? And all those who are celebrating the event are WRONG? Those who went out on the street and celebrate with the Qatar Officials were wrong?
Don't put malice in my postings to make your views right! Lift yourselves up by now stepping on someone's view. We respect each other view but it seems that you are all getting personal against me. Complain to FIFA, not here on QL! This is just a discussion!
I dont really have a problem with you as it goes, what i do have a problem with, and find offensive, is that small minded people like yourself label all people who did not support the Qatar bid for the WC, Qatar HATERS! I can safely say that I do not hate Qatar, infact i quite like it. What i do not like is people like you who try and twist peoples words to whip up tension. Grow up!
and that will never change, with regards to the WC. I am not on the other hand anti Qatar as you seem to think, there is a world of difference you stirring twat.
"we" do get the difference between not supporting the bid & being "anti-Qatar",you,as you've just stated yourself above,don't...watch those teeth as you pull that foot out...yet again!...
@ Lostinspace,you're asking?! :)...
you are anti Qatar bid! Those who support are pro-Qatar and those who don't support are anti-Qatar. Why, how do you understand the word?
you're getting out of line, the Mods are observing! Don't even think that you own QL!
Implying a majority were bought was also a serious allegation? I really don't know why QL is allowing you to say it when it was not proven when an allegation did hit the news!
It seems you are really THAT good?
what is the weather like in your world? I would like to ask you ONE question: 1, Why do you keep repeating that by not supporting the WC bid we are anti Qatar? are you really that stupid?
Try and make sense before you post.
"sinister"...oohh! all James bond like!...you do provide a good laugh,i'll give you that!...btw,the "whole FIFA excom" needn't be bought...a majority of the votes were required...not all of them...but of course you knew that...'cos FLOR KNOWS EVERYTHING!...:)
excom bought? Is that how "desperate" you think? So what's you next move, file a complaint? Flood this forum with anti-Qatar postings. Am I not right to think that there is a "sinister" move on your part that you accused FIFA being bought by a bidder? Are you even think that there will be a re-bid? MAybe you just need to drink to relax. You need one!
@ Flor,i didn't anticipate the FIFA excom selling out,if that's what you mean!..."Because all in your mind is getting several pints and what????????????"...er, could you repeat that?...this time in English please...i'm sorry but i don't speak Flor!...
now the grapes are sweet
when you do not comment you seem more interesting!
WK, you did not badmouth me, please review early discussion about this issue! My opinion from the very beginning was there and as I've said, I'm not hard-pressed for Qatar to win. What I said then and I say it again, I support Qatar.
Check the early threads about the bids and tell me who is who?
Many are mainstream opposition to the bid and when I spoke about my view, what did I get, PLENTY of badmouthing using the worst foul language that one can imagine. And now, it seems that the word "sour graping" is a bad thing? You people need to refresh your memory.
And Gadarene, I am not the one! You are the expert in WC and yet you did not see that Qatar will get the 2022? Because all in your mind is getting several pints and what????????????
@ WK LOL! :)...
Isobel, did you mean 'definition'? Just wondering ;P
good one x
Sour grapes was a good comedy movie released in 1998 Starring Viola Harris, Steven Weber & Craig Bierko :(
who say 'sour grapes', do any of you know the true defination?
I just bought some deliciously sweet seedless grapes in Carrefour today! I am willing to share them ;)
but of course,anyone that disagrees with the mainstream & voices their own opinion based on legitimate facts...let's label it "sour grapes",is that a term someone learnt at school today or something??? i mean seriously,the issues are staring you right in the face,some choose to address it,some don't prefering instead to turn a blind eye to it & just go with the flow rather than actually have an opinion that was formulated using a brain somewhere along the way...so please people,some see it one way,some see it the other,that's all it is...you want to call it "sour grapes",so be it...to each his/her own,that might be difficult to digest having gotten used to a herd mentality here but please don't force your views on others or call it "sour grapes" when someone states an opinion that is different from yours...it's just a different opinion,that's all...people think differently,that's what makes the world go round...deal with it....
It is not sour grapes as I do not despise Russia for winning. If I am to be described; it should be as frustrated and just as dissapointed as millions of other football fans who also saw their country miss out. Something was wrong with the voting for all the bidders.
It is done now and nothing can change this decision and best of luck to both Russia and Qatar.
I don't understand how voicing legitimate concerns is sour grapes? I have never and will never blindly back anything, and while I'm rooting for Qatar to hold a great World Cup I'm going to voice my concerns.
This was not the first time that two world cup hosts were announced. It was done once before in 1946.
"This England bid campaign was not Premier League, it was relegation and League One," said bid expert Mike Lee.
"I'm not sure it is healthy to blame everyone else, and not reflect on the campaign itself," added the Englishman.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9258612.stm
soniya, you are soo correct. wished we have sweet seedless grapes soon:-)
And the bashing is ON.....
Wish the topic of SOUR GRAPES on QL should get end soon...
@ Isobel,you guys hosted once before in '66 & also won it that year...England deserved more than 2 votes as did some of the other bidders for 2022...if all bids are going to be given based on an emotional speech & a fancy powerpoint presentation/ad campaign,what's the point of a tedious,time-consuming technical evaluation of the ground realities?...
please redirect all "Flor" related comments to "Flor living.com"...a separate website that has been set up to deal with the MASSIVE inflow of all "Flor specific" comments & topics...any & all donations welcome for site upkeep,payable by "FlorCard"(available to purchase on the site for a small fee.)...
@ Isobel,funny you should say that,quite a few of us here share that sentiment...now i wonder why that is?!...
Errrrr I hope you don't mind me asking but flor what is your view?
Stop commenting on other's comments and share your views for once..
There, I didn't call you any name. I didn't badmouth anyone.. I am honestly curious to know what you think about the whole thing...
P.S.- Don't comment on me either, just share for once something about the topic.. For once.... It's long overdue....
Judges decision is final.....please don't tell me its Sepp Blatter and the Fifa panel :-(
and if it is....here's 200 riyals, do i win? ;-p
I can see I have my work cut out for me if I am going to win that competition! :P
but he/she sounds a prat!
"Who gives a *hit ...what flor says!"
Answers on a postcard to:
'Who gives a *hit what flor says!' compitition
PO Box 87329
Doha
Qatar
The best 3 answers will win a prize, and the judges decision is final.
host a world cup once I think.
what flor says!
was up to hosting it! We gave a good bid. We lost, so did the others!
Really pleased Qatar got it; they did honestly gave a fantastic presentation and despite the negativity from some posters on here...I actually think Qatar will do a great a WC.
England was scuppered; we may not have won it but I do think we deserved better than 2 points.
@ Isobel "The result was decided a long time ago and THAT is the frustrating thing. Whoever bid deserved a fair crack of the whip and it 'seems' they were not."
FIFA announced two consecutive bid winners for the first time,meaning the result was pre-decided for BOTH bids,Australia have NEVER hosted before either,have they not been dealt with as unfairly as England if not more so?...don't get me wrong,i'm just going by what you said & you seem to be saying that while England lost to a pre-determined bid, Qatar's was won fair & square??? despite being rated "highest risk" by FIFA's technical evaluation committee???
As for England not being upto hosting it,let's look at the main requirements for hosting a World Cup:-13 World Cup worthy stadiums,England has ALL 13 @ full capacity...public transport network,you tell me,between the train & bus network,is any part of the country or specifically access to any of those 13 stadiums not in place? No,everything is already up & running...accommodation for the fans & teams,do you think England has any less than 60,000 hotel rooms as required by FIFA?...commercial returns,FIFA's technical evaluation already assessed England as a "high return" venue...so i must be missing something or maybe you know something i don't but i don't see how England could not be upto hosting it...
QChris referred to Russia in another thread as a "Mafia State" and I can't help picture all of the FIFA judges waking up in the morning next to some bloody horses heads LOL.
But I agree with Isobel, I'm more shocked with the Russia decision than the Qatar one. I was really hoping England would get 2018.
A good post Isobel and I agree. If it looks like there is sour grapes then please allow me to put some perspective on it. Football is not just a sport in the UK it is a passion for a lot of people. Of course there are those who don't get it and thats fine...but the truth is you put a few people together for more than 5mins and the conversation will normally have football in it somewhere. Many fans put their life on hold for 90 mins every week, they travel up and down the country following their team, and spend lots of time and money doing so. Just look at the pictures of men, women and children out in the cold celebrating the WC bidding and waiting with hopeful expectations.
Does that mean we deserve the WC? No it doesn't but it does mean that we are bitterly disappointed we lost it and in such circumstances emotions and feelings run high. Its sad to think that the next time we could potentially host it I and many other people who would love to take their kids to a WC in their home country will not get a chance to do so.
I think the key question is what is that criteria for a successful WC bid? If it is that you have never hosted it, that the developed infrastructure would substantially benefit your country, that you will furnish the pocket of FIFA with substantial amounts of money, that the game will be reaching a new audience then thats fine. I dont criticize that but be honest about it form the start. If that was always the case then FIFA were predetermined NOT to award it to the UK and USA (and possibly AUS although they have never hosted it) and in which case their whole bids were a farce and a waste of public money.
And some here may consider it perfectly natural to trade bids or ensure those voting had the 'incentive' to do so the 'right' way, but I don't and nor do the majority of people in the UK. So mix in bitter disappointment with a possibility of a bidding process that is not in accordance with our sense of fair play... and the result is a media frenzy and 'sour grapes'.
Anyway, the die is cast and the boats have come in. Sour grapes or justified complaint it makes no difference to the result. Of course the UK was not up against Qatar so its no odds to me on the front. I also think holding it in the Middle East is also a great thing to do for world politics. Sport builds bridges after all. At the end of the day I believe the people of Qatar and Russia are passionate about hosting the WC and I am sure both countries will overcome the inevitable hurdles any country would face in hosting such an event and ultimately hold a great WC.
I am very pleased Qatar won the bid for 2022; it will change some peoples perception of the Middle East (even though this is actually The Gulf). Qatar will put on a fantastic event; they have the money, the space and by that time they will have built an adequate infrastructure.
Hearing comments from friends back in the UK; the only 'negativity' voiced is; (a) they did not know where Qatar was and some wrongly presumed it was like Saudi Arabia (b) the heat; this has been answered and I doubt very much the bid would have given unless Qatar knew they had the technology for the stadiums to be AC controlled. Qatars' presentation was one of the best.
With regards 'sour grapes'. If there are any it is directed at the choice of 2018 and that is Russia. Somebody had to lose and I am sure the other bidding nations are just as upset and frustrated as England. However; there is something very fishy about the whole thing. My 'sour grapes' is not who won but how they got the votes to secure the bid.
I doubt very much the rioting in Birmingham or even the BBC allowing the Panaroma programme to be aired had anything to do with the result. The result was decided a long time ago and THAT is the frustrating thing. Whoever bid deserved a fair crack of the whip and it 'seems' they were not.
There seems to be some bias towrds England as a nation and that is wrong as FIFA supports non racism in football. I don't know if England was up to hosting it; we have the Olympics and for that we are grateful. With the economy being what it is there; it may have helped or by winning could have made things worse.
Actually proposal for FIFA exco reform has already been floated..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9257780.stm
The traditional Football powers are getting frustrated.
FIFA's excom. Include the GOOD Qlers who are very knowledgeable about WC.
FIFA should change the voting to a lottery. All bidders had fulfilled the technical requirements of FIFA. Qatar was considered at "High Overall Risk." Never mind. Why not put all the bidders who comply with the requirements in a pot and have a blindfolded beautiful girl draw the winner. That could definitely remove any corruption, wouldn't it?
Oryx agree with my comment, does it mean that she, too have no credibility?
And you think your comment are worthwhile? Think again!
I even forget to monitor my points! There are few things we agree, it means your view is also senseless?????????????
what about you?
Flor;
4849 comments made.
0 worthwile things said.
on florliving.com?
Dump the lame attempt at moral superiority and telling everyone what to do and you may end up with a modicum of respect instead of everyone responding to you with utter disgust and disdain.
for some it hurts their egos.
And yes AA is only in Qatar - nowhere else in the world...
the hate continue. Why can't you people just relax and you will keep on talking that way for the next 12 years? Do you even have a life other than WC? If you really believe that it will be a boring WC, so what? Will you be affected personally? If Qatar don't come with the expectation, that's 12 years to preempt! Prove to us now that you really don't "hate" Qatar with such sour graping.
But I advise you people to have a medical check-up. The pressure must be increasing everyday and your mind may not take it anymore? Lol! You know who you are. For sure you will resort again to badmouthing JUST to be "heard"? By whom? I wonder who!
@ linc,have you ever had the "pleasure" of visiting one of this city's hotel bars on a Thursday or Friday night?!...meaning no disrespect whatsoever to starving African children,it is reminiscent of famine relief being handed out in Africa...now that's just the residents of Qatar...what will happen when half a million fans descend on the country???...i cannot stress this point enough & people still don't seem to get it...football is called the COMMON MAN'S game,it is NOT about 5 star hotel culture & their overpriced bars...it is neither possible nor logical for ANY 5 star hotel to accomodate thousands of travelling football fans,a move the fans themselves would shun in the first place...nobody is asking to be allowed to drink in the stands...
As for the AA chapters,ever wondered why that is?...travel guidebooks label Doha "the dullest city in the middle east",that my friend is the reason so many expats in this country who come here as regular social drinkers turn into alcoholics,simply because there isn't much else for them to do after work...one must address any issue in it's fullness...
and the vitriol goes on.............
xxxpat
is it apply to my profile country?
I have planned there for till end of 2011, so just want to feel it at least on my profile .......lol
now holds a New Zealand passport. I guess it's okay for him to poison Kiwi culture with his Tunisian identity. His type never feels it necessary to demonstrate the tolerance they are always demanding from others.
Or can I? Your 'authoritative' message would have more clout if you had actually known if I can or cannot hahahaha.
Way to cover your ass though
Qhris...at least they are trying. I bet you cant even utter a word in their language...or can you?
Nope, just responding to idiots who can barely string a sentence together and think they are clever because they have the backing of their masters victory.
Completely chilled thanks!
Qharis
i thought 2nd December was a nightmare for U, but U seem to have it on daily basis .......... Chill mate and support ur country for WC 2026, hope U 'll get it.
I think one of the appeals of a French, African or German World Cup is that you don't have to have tickets for the game to enjoy it.
You can wander to a bar, soak up the atmosphere with a beer, meet the people that work there.
Can you that being the case here? Fan zones sure, but that is 'in-stadium'. I am talking about, well....down every street, not just a hotel.
It's quite sad really. I know I am focusing on alcohol but as I keep stressing, that is what the normal guy (from afar) wants! Alot of the tourism generated by a tournament isn't even from people going to the games.
Qhris--There is no chance of the licenses being pulled from the major hotels, especially not now. My guess is that they will have major evening functions on their grounds for fans--if they have any business sense whatsoever.
Yes alcohol is restricted, but my guess is that this has as much to do with the hugely profitable stranglehold QDC has than any thing else. Besides, its not much stricter here than in parts of western Texas and Utah. No beer at Applebees there either.
My guess is that there will be alcohol regardless, and there is little anyone will be able to do about it either way.
It is the bars 'ETC' bit I am interested in.
Currently the stranglehold is 5 star Hotels, and there have even been murmurings about those licenses being taken away.
So will the etc include Applebees, Chilis....Pizza Express? Or is it only 400 Riyal a pop dinners that can be quaffed with a carafe of wine?
grapes maybe sour for others but qatar still has to chew them, but they have enough time to do that.
No shortage of alcohol in Qatar. Just restrictions on who can drink it. The majority of football fans will be welcome in the hotel bars, etc. They just won't be able to drink in the stands, which is probably a good thing. For the record, AA has some its largest chapters here.
Can you BELIEVE the World Cup is going to hosted in the presence of chumps like Garbage Man?!
People cussing and giving looks of disdain and disgust at those enjoying a drink.
Yuck.
@ garbage collector,ever heard the term "majority wins" my friend?...only the host nation is new for 2022 mate,the powers of World football will have their contingent of fans like they do for every World Cup & like @ every World Cup,MOST of those fans will want to drink...A LOT,that is something that's not going to change...so if you're worried about Qhris "poisoning identities & cultures",i strongly recommend YOU stay home because you will be in for the shock of your life come 2022!...because @ the end of the day,Qatar i'm sure do & will want to be seen as good hosts...one of their main bidding points was the renowned Arabian hospitality,the LAST thing they want is fans feeling the exact opposite...so like it or not,alcohol is going to consumed, come 2022...in a manner this country has never seen before & if they do restrict it,the majority of the fans will not be happy & unhappy fans means bad media publicity & that is the LAST thing Qatar would want...because the ONLY thing worse than losing this bid,would be winning it & then hosting a World Cup with so many unhappy fans because the fans are what make the tournament special...i strongly recommend you visit a few "poisonous venues" in Qatar from now on,just to get a SMALL feel & have SOME idea of what you can expect in 2022! good luck!...
So the arrogance begins eh? Dictating what people shall and shall not do. That really sells Qatar to the world doesn't it?
'If you want to do something you enjoy, DO NOT come here, stay at home'.
And you say Qatar is open minded, right? Hahahaha....
And you should get used to not drinking it if you want to go to that world cup, otherwise just stick to your "fine" TV set and "fine" wine. People like you are poison to identities and cultures.
Seed less grapes are sweet
The weather is harsh and I think will be a big hardship on the athletes but it's not like nobody can survive it. I remember somebody writing that players would have heart attacks and heat stroke running from the busses to the stadium. lol
couldve been there expat, but the vitriol that you see out here is much worse.
If you look at some of the mainstream newspapers in different parts of the world, it seems like no humans even live in Qatar because of its weather :)
Nobody is denying that.
But again, it is understandable that there are a lot of sour grapes in the immediate aftermath of such a shocking decision. How shocked do you think Qataris were when they didn't get the Olympics? Even if it was expected they wouldn't I imagine there were a lot of sour grapes in private.
There was a huge controversy when the UK bid team tried to gift expensive handbags to the wives of ExCo members.
What was the need to give them those gifts if not as small bribe.
Talk about the kettle...
Exactly, mparao.
Corruption is only corruption if it varies from the norm. And bribery, vote trading, intimidation, etc. is the norm of global politics, and FIFA is an extension of that. Anyone who enters the bidding game has to be prepared for that, otherwise there is no chance. The US is not good at these things any more. In the old days of the 1980s it could count a on contingent of loyal backers who lapped up aid money. The world is more dynamic now, and the US has not kept up--although it did do better than England. My sense is that the US looked at the landscape in terms of what countries would support it, whereas Russia and Qatar looked at the voters and asked which INDIVIDUALS would support them.
So, yes, I would agree that Qatar outbid the US fairly and squarely.
If Qatar can Fix against USA then Qatar should be Super superpower because the only superpower of world has been beaten fairly and squarely.
LincolnPirate--all of these things are "fixed" in the since that everyone involved is trying to fix it. Face it, the Qataris played the game and won. They, and the Russians, are much better at these sorts of things, particularly when in comes to dealing with delegates from third-world countries, than the Americans or English--as the votes bear out. I would say the savviest move was getting FIFA to announce two world cup hosts at once. It allowed vote trading and for a country like Qatar to trade on potential rather than existing infrastructure. Anyone can build the necessary stuff in 12 years--at least theoretically. Good for them. I suspect few of us will still be here in 12 years, so it will be interesting to see how much the place has changed.
it means you will be kicked on a$$ out of here!
Two months earlier I was informed from a reliable source that "it is all fixed, Qatar will win." Think for yourself what it means.
Q, sorry i am not aiming to have one. i'm just being happy to my host country for their achievements. :)
day indeed!
You're right, i'll be quiet and allow you to carry on YOUR 2022 bid; to get a Qatari citizenship and passport. Good luck ;-)
So maybe Q's now eating a bunch of grapes?
some poison is used to make medicine and medicine cures disease.. except for some stds..
Sometimes the grapes taste sour. But if someone fermented the grapes with envy, nescience and hatred, that grapes become a poison.
Correct, Grapes are Sour n they don't consume wine...:)))
Enough....all of you...stop behaving like spoiled brats. Learn to be gracious winners/losers. And stop gloating/whining.
Correct Rye, this few days I'm so tired of hearing Qhris whines... tsk..tsk..tsk
man i should hook u up with my ex.. u;d make the perfect whining team..
Grapes make the finest wine, something this country, and you, clearly know nothing about