Soccer World Cup wants AFL to shut down for 8 weeks

[Shinboner Schem]

Kardinia Park is a little narrow from what I recall.

What they should do is try and get the gov to upgrade it for the world cup.
45-50k would suit the Cats nicely to ensure they get to play 8 games there per season.
That should free up the docklands for the AFL in the 4 week lead up.

The grounds that will most likely be used for the World Cup would be:
MCG (100k)
Stadium Australia (83.5k)
Suncorp Stadium (52.5k)
Adelaide Oval / Hindmarsh stadium (33.5k upgraded to 50k / 16.5k upgraded to 40k)
Sydney Football Stadium (45.5k)
upgraded Subiaco or proposed new stadium (42.9 upgraded to minimum 60k)
Carrara stadium (upgraded to 40k)
Docklands (56.6k)

Other candidates:
Canberra Stadium (24.6k)
Dairy Farmers Stadium (25k)
Central Coast Stadium (20k)

 

[AngelEyes]

I don't think it will be as bad as people suggest. FIFA has no real power to force the AFL or NRL to do anything. The FFA (and government) needs to convince the AFL and NRL to not make it an issue. FIFA won't be impressed with a bid if its likely to end up in court etc. The AFL and NRL will demand huge compensation which they will likely get.

However, it will be something like, the AFL season will start two weeks early but each team may have an extra two week break midseason to help fit it in time wise. So in effect that means that during an eight week World Cup there will be a six game disruption to every team.

Grounds talked about not being used include AAMI Stadium, Carrara Stadium and Skilled Stadium. I suspect that the Crows, Power, Gold Coast and Geelong would play a significant number of games at home during this eight week period. Teams like the Bulldogs and Kangaroos may play a couple of "home games" in Geelong. However, for this the AFL would demand compensation. It may not be cash into the AFL's bank account but it could be in the form of "upgraded training facilities to accomodate World Cup sides", gaurenteed government funding of stadium upgrades (such as a complete redevelopment of Skilled Stadium), funding for development programs, a new stadium for Launceston if the AFL is serious about 19th and 20th teams etc.

The AFL will get rewarded but it will be alot more subtle than here is $25million for your troubles.

 

[VolgaBoatman]

The world cup will be good for our cities and stadiums. I've been to South Africa a few times this year for work and the amount of construction going on there is amazing. The world cup is a catalyst for all this

Stadium Upgrades - Existing Soccer stadiums in Jo'burg and Cape Town are getting upgraded as well as places like Ellis Park which is a Rugby Ground

New Airports - Jo'burg and Capetown have had major upgrades
New Hotels - several have opened in Jo'burg
New Roads - major upgrades to improve the road systems
New Public Transport Infrastructure - New Rail lines / Dedicated bus lanes

There are also major upgrades for security - the country will be on show and they are making a big effort to make it successful - the same thing would happen in Australia. You never know, the Victorian and NSW governments might actually improve their train networks !

Of course what happens after the World Cup will be interesting - this is one big chance to get big improvements in their public infrastructure to last a generation - all the money might dry up after - much like in Sydney post olympics ....

 

[Redb#]

I don't think the AFL will want to play second fiddle while the World Cup is on - their best way to make money is to take the break, take compensation, and have the proper grounds packed and on at a time when the viewing isn't being diluted by the World Cup.
Maybe, but you might be surprised that even if only 50% of AFL fans remained focused on the footy, that would still fill those smaller stadiums, especially seen as Melbourne will host a few games but not all of them. There will be gaps in the weekend. I'm also advocating a total 2 week break of AFL footy for the final 2 weeks (finals).



I agree it seems pretty drastic, but there is a reason behind it, it is how it has always been done and how it will continue to be done.
This is my main objection and should not be agreed.


The main benefit of hosting the world cup is not the fact that it gives local people the chance to go to games. You do realise that, yeah?
I thought themain benefit was tourism? Thousands of Britons, Germans,etc. Socceroos games will be untouchable, finals very tough to get a seat.


And now a conspiracy theory
I've read a lot of about Lowy, I think his intentions are clear. Happy for you to disagree.

The FFA wants football to become more popular, and it is well on the way, but Australia will never be homogenised - all the codes know that, they accept it. The World Cup will be a great boost for football, no doubt, and that is a key part of the desire for it to be brought here, but the fact remains that basically every country in the world would want to host it for the VAST variety of benefits.
I want Aust to host but I dislike it being used as a vehicle to push one sport over others by the Government. A compromise would be to ensure funding for all football codes is even in schools, stadia,etc. Guarantee that and I'll put the conspiracy theory in the drawer


That isn't happening and isn't going to happen. So stop freaking out about it.
See above. it has to be denied but accept it is a supposition that is questionable as are most opinions. There is not one single point where someone will go, see you were right or wrong.

Do you know why it is "so called"? Because it is.

If you don't see that this is about much more than sport, I'm sorry.
It's not that difficult a concept. understood.

Who said it was the equivalent of the mining boom? What relevance does that have?
Reality check offered.

The types of benefit from a mining boom and a World Cup are clearly different. I mean, the mining boom isn't going to put Australia on the map as a tourist destination, is it?
Australia is already 1 or 2 in the most desirable places to visit in the world. The tyranny of distance and global economic conditions impact on how successful we are at attracting tourists mid to long term. Our tourism infrastructure is already well above demand. More will be over built for an event. See original comments.

comments in red. apologies for bolded red looks crap.

 

[AngelEyes]

The world cup will be good for our cities and stadiums. I've been to South Africa a few times this year for work and the amount of construction going on there is amazing. The world cup is a catalyst for all this

Stadium Upgrades - Existing Soccer stadiums in Jo'burg and Cape Town are getting upgraded as well as places like Ellis Park which is a Rugby Ground

New Airports - Jo'burg and Capetown have had major upgrades
New Hotels - several have opened in Jo'burg
New Roads - major upgrades to improve the road systems
New Public Transport Infrastructure - New Rail lines / Dedicated bus lanes

There are also major upgrades for security - the country will be on show and they are making a big effort to make it successful - the same thing would happen in Australia. You never know, the Victorian and NSW governments might actually improve their train networks !

Of course what happens after the World Cup will be interesting - this is one big chance to get big improvements in their public infrastructure to last a generation - all the money might dry up after - much like in Sydney post olympics ....

The difference is South Africa is basically third world. The Airports, Roads and Public Transport here while is not perfect is a tad different to that in South Africa. There will likely be very little "boom".

Realistically, it will just be like Grand Final weekend in Melbourne for eight weeks. Accomodation will be hard to find and there will be lots of people around in their teams colours. It will be more for TV.

I don't think TV audiences will be hugely impressed. Can you imagine 11 degree days at the MCG for a World Cup Final. Yes, TV audiences will be dying to come to Australia.

 

[CamryCows]

RobbieK, the most sensible person to post on this thread.

This bid is more about benefitting the nation rather than soccer and those in power, Demetriou, Gallop, Rudd etc know this.

We are bidding to showcase Australia to the world.
The Olympics showcased Sydney and this event in terms of television audiences and tourist numbers is much bigger than the Olympics.

Unfortunately for the posters before me, whether you like it or not, the AFL will glowingly endorse any use of the MCG, Etihad Stadium etc for soccer. Demetriou wouldn't risk future Government/Corporate support by not doing so.

 

[cancat]

You and a few others seem to be missing one key point:

It's not that THEY want to have the world cup here. It's WE (Aus) that want the world cup here!!! Therefore we have to give in to their demands if we want it. And believe we (Aus) want it!

This.

If necessary the Australian government will legislate for whetever needs to happen to allow the World Cup to be hosted in this country according to FIFA rules.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

The world cup will be good for our cities and stadiums. I've been to South Africa a few times this year for work and the amount of construction going on there is amazing. The world cup is a catalyst for all this

Stadium Upgrades - Existing Soccer stadiums in Jo'burg and Cape Town are getting upgraded as well as places like Ellis Park which is a Rugby Ground

New Airports - Jo'burg and Capetown have had major upgrades
New Hotels - several have opened in Jo'burg
New Roads - major upgrades to improve the road systems
New Public Transport Infrastructure - New Rail lines / Dedicated bus lanes

There are also major upgrades for security - the country will be on show and they are making a big effort to make it successful - the same thing would happen in Australia. You never know, the Victorian and NSW governments might actually improve their train networks !

Of course what happens after the World Cup will be interesting - this is one big chance to get big improvements in their public infrastructure to last a generation - all the money might dry up after - much like in Sydney post olympics ....

Australia tend to do things on the cheap, using existing infrastructure as much as possible. And the list of existiing facilities will count in our favour for the bid. ( How nervous were the Olympic officials prior to the Greek Olympics ) . Don't go expecting a glut of new Hotels / Airport upgrades roads etc, they will be claiming that the existing facilities after the Olympics /Commonwealth games are sufficient.

It will remain a very expensive exercise.
. Construction of New Stadiums
. Permanant Booking of Venues for 8 Weeks.
. Compensation to existing sporting codes.

There is also a certain risk that they may not get good crowds as Australia is now percieved to be an expensive destination, and travel between the host cities is also not as cheap as in Europe or other physically smaller countries.
FIFA will profit from their television rights, but if the crowds don't materialise it is Australia that loses.

 

[Redb#]

RobbieK, the most sensible person to post on this thread.

This bid is more about benefitting the nation rather than soccer and those in power, Demetriou, Gallop, Rudd etc know this.

We are bidding to showcase Australia to the world.
The Olympics showcased Sydney and this event in terms of television audiences and tourist numbers is much bigger than the Olympics.

Unfortunately for the posters before me, whether you like it or not, the AFL will glowingly endorse any use of the MCG, Etihad Stadium etc for soccer. Demetriou wouldn't risk future Government/Corporate support by not doing so.

Maybe you should read all the comments.

It is possible for the AFL to give up the MCG and Etihad which is much harder for a Victorian to do than a South Australian.

FIFA wants no other major sports at any venue.

In the end you basically suggest this is a communist state, the government will tell everyone what to do and just lump it. Not in my country and not without debate and compromise on both sides.

 

[Punchyy]

Oh wow, 8 weeks without AFL football!!!

BOO ****ING HOO.

 

[melbournemartin]

Cheers for your input Punchyy. It was most valuable.

 

[grogan]

4 weeks prior would be to present pristine surfaces. afl, nrl and especially union do damage to the evenness of the pitch
during would be to get rid of competition for bums on seats and training and familiarisation at venues
i am an avid afl follower but would happily forego 8 weeks of footy to have the world cup here. something special about this level of competition.

 

[Pie eyed]

Dump the World Cup .....simple.

Stupid sideshow sport anyway.

 

[CamryCows]

Maybe you should read all the comments.

It is possible for the AFL to give up the MCG and Etihad which is much harder for a Victorian to do than a South Australian.

FIFA wants no other major sports at any venue.

In the end you basically suggest this is a communist state, the government will tell everyone what to do and just lump it. Not in my country and not without debate and compromise on both sides.

Fair call Red.
Unfortunately FIFA is run like a communist state. They are the bully in the playground. If the Australian public debate loud enough, the World Cup will just be awarded to another country, no skin off FIFA's nose.

There is no doubt all other sporting codes who are affected will be adequately compensated. My opinion is that 'IF' the bid is successful, the AFL, NRL, ARU will have money thrown at them for their 'inconvenience'.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Maybe you should read all the comments.

It is possible for the AFL to give up the MCG and Etihad which is much harder for a Victorian to do than a South Australian.

FIFA wants no other major sports at any venue.

In the end you basically suggest this is a communist state, the government will tell everyone what to do and just lump it. Not in my country and not without debate and compromise on both sides.

Fifa only want no other major sporting events scheduled in the same City where world cup events are held, for the four week duration of the world cup.
Thats why this sort of thing never upset the Yanks with their other sports. They have more cities than they know what to do with. We would probably be using all of our major cities for the world cup.

So unless there was a world cup event scheduled at Launceston, AFL could be played there... etc.

FIFA also require that Venues used in the world cup not be used for four weeks prior to the event. This does not preclude other contests using other venues during this period. It is also pretty inflexible in this day of replaceable surfaces.

 

[McCrann]

This will be easily solved. The accountants will work out how much this will cost the AFL in lost revenue and the Government will write out a cheque to the AFL and a nice bonus for Vlad and the Commission.

Get ready for a smiling Vlad with heavy pockets telling the media how the AFL were happy to accomodate the WC for this one off year.

Has nobody worked out yet that its money that makes the world go around?

You're forgetting the Confederations Cup that has to be held the year before - sure less stadium requirements - but they'll want the biggest stadiums for that as well.

Its actually a 2 year disruption.

 

[invinciBlues]

Victoria
Princes Park
Kardinia Park

Princes Park would fall just shy of the 40k min. But a "quick" redevelopment would get the extra couple of thousand in... and maybe we could start playing our home games there again!

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Does anyone know what the FIFA definition of "Major Competition" is?

Maybe its OK for Port to play North during the cup.

 

[Pessimistic]

This thread is nothing compared tot eh hullabloo when the Wc final is in sydney not melbourne

 

[SaintsSeptember]

This thread is nothing compared tot eh hullabloo when the Wc final is in sydney not melbourne

Wouldn't mind, except they still won't be able to play AFL here, even though the only remaining WC game is in Sydney.

 

[PowerForGood]

A bunch of actors and divers want to close the AFL down .
Tell them to get stuffed .
Tell them to take acting classes elsewhere.
I hate the acting and its a degenerate sport with little skills.
South Africa rated 84 in the world is in the next world cup because its to be held in South Africa yet a better team is kept out of the world cup because of this stupid rule.
DONT bow down to Rudd, Lowry or anyone else

Yeah, its not like the AFL would insist on games like prelim finals and grand finals being played in Melbourne even though the teams might not be from Melbourne, would they?

 

[PAFC04]

It's the WORLD CUP!!! Bring it on! The media are acting like it's the end of the world ffs

Yeah...BRING IT ON.....

Its just an extra long split round.......

The AFL need to keep this as low key as possible, surely the AFL dosen't want the Soccer to keep getting media coverage over this, do they?

 

[Clay Davis]

We won't even get the World Cup, so it's a moot point.

 

[PowerForGood]

I don't see what the issue is with FIFA, all they are doing is pointing out their conditions on countries wanting to host the World Cup.

If you, as a Aussie Rules supporter, don't want the AFL season to have a mid-year break, then tell the AFL not to budge on their contracts, and then Football Federation Australia can't bid.

And then we don't get the greatest sporting event in the world.

 

[Bouvet_Island]

Yep, all you bleeding hearts out there i'm sure you can cope with 2 months whilst this country has the greatest sporting event in the world. Open your eyes and look at the bigger picture.

It's the friggin World Cup.

Agree with this.

It's downright embarrassing to us as a nation that people are kicking up a fuss about the opportunity for us to host a tournament the world will be watching because it interferes with them watching a couple of suburbs of melbourne playing an obscure rugby variant.