Sepp Blatter
7 hours ago
TOKYO (AFP) � FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Wednesday that the football governing body is to reconsider Oceania's inclusion in the Club World Cup after another poor performance in this year's tournament.
"We have to make sure to protect the competition at the highest possible level," he told reporters here. "If you want to have a FIFA Club World Cup, we need to have professional clubs playing."
New Zealand's Waitakere United, who called themselves "semi-professionals," were demolished 3-1 by Iran's Sepahan in a preliminary play-off at the tournament of continental champions featuring AC Milan and Boca Juniors.
"This year it was evident that there is a difference of the level of competition and this is one matter that will be immediately discussed in the (FIFA) organising committee first and then by the FIFA executive committee."
Oceania teams have been seen as rank outsiders in world football, especially after Australia switched their allegiance to Asia after the 2006 World Cup.
"Definitely, since Australia left Oceania, we have a problem at least at the level of club competition," Blatter said.
In the inaugural 2005 Club World Cup, which merged the traditional Europe-South American Intercontinental Cup, Sydney FC lost narrowly 1-0 to Costa Rica's Deportivo Saprissa in their opening game.
Auckland City FC were defeated 2-0 by Egypt's El-Ahly last year.
And this was followed by Waitakere's defeat this year.
Under the current format, the southern continent is allocated only a play-off with a fifth Asian country for a berth in the Club World Cup as well as the World Cup of nations.
Waitakere coach Chris Milicich earlier said his players in the New Zealand league are "a lot of semi-professionals," including school teachers, corporate managers and builders, many of whom played professionally abroad earlier in their careers.
A dog with a bone :)
Don't worry sep.
ive got a song that wont take long, Adelaide are rubbish.. the second verse is same as the first.. ADELAIDE ARE RUBBISH
That's the point my Celtic cousin (Hartson am byth). They won't get the chance. The NZFC were put on notice last year about the way ACFC performed. Waitak's was no better if not worse, and I seriously doubt the Nix will get the chance to be Oceania's representative. The one ray of hope here might be that they will perhaps persuade the Asian confederation to let an Oceania team into their champions league. Then the Nix could qualify through there.
You'll be pleased to know you are mostly arguing with other Auckland fans on these subjects. Good luck with that.
We didn't sign it. The Phoenix did, and we disagree with it and that is why we are complaining.loyalgunner2007-12-14 15:54:07
Can assure you baiter Uncle Loz is not hostie!! ask your niece she'll tell you!!
but he does make a good lap dog
Do you know what nemesis means
NZFC should only get a half spot to qlf for the O-League as there teams a f**ked. Honestly why would they cry about having to play-off against the Nixs, Its like they want to keep there retarded standeds and never have to improve there game - so more or less they can just rock up to japan for a easy pay cheque without having to try and play football.
Look at Auckland City? All the money they recieved and yet they still play on a 3rd rate pitch/field and no upgrades to there team sheds etc.To be fair, they have just spent $60K or $80K on their pitch at Kiwitea St. I agree with your sentiments on the standard. The NZFC clubs should have to play the Nix to get through - thus giving them the incentive to improve their standard to one that can at least compete in that CWC.
If it gave us a real competitive game between two NZ teams then I am all for it.
If the Nix said they will forgo the $500k and take whatever they won then I am sure the NZFC teams "might" say ok. Wouldnt hold my breath though.
If it gave us a real competitive game between two NZ teams then I am all for it.
If the Nix said they will forgo the $500k and take whatever they won then I am sure the NZFC teams "might" say ok. Wouldnt hold my breath though.
lol "for gods sake"? the scoreline means absolutely NOTHING in that game. as has been said it was the manner in which they lost. From a specatcle perspective in a major Fifa Tournament it was an embarrasment. The goals they let in were quite Pathetic, Keeper letting it go through his hands, Defenders managing to give away a Penalty advantage and let the player score in the same play before the Penalty was even needed. Hell even the goal they scored was ridiculous. The scoreline is unimportant.
Imagine if we'd drawn AC Milan, European champion skill against a team of amateurs who would be scared out of their wits playing one of the best teams in the world containing the best team in the world.. it would have been awful
lol "for gods sake"? the scoreline means absolutely NOTHING in that game. as has been said it was the manner in which they lost. From a specatcle perspective in a major Fifa Tournament it was an embarrasment. The goals they let in were quite Pathetic, Keeper letting it go through his hands, Defenders managing to give away a Penalty advantage and let the player score in the same play before the Penalty was even needed. Hell even the goal they scored was ridiculous. The scoreline is unimportant.
Imagine if we'd drawn AC Milan, European champion skill against a team of amateurs who would be scared out of their wits playing one of the best teams in the world containing the best team in the world.. it would have been awful
Hope that made sense
ITS NOT JUST ABOUT THE F&*%IN MONEY!!!!
its about rewarding teams for high achievement develop football in this country
(something that Phoenix supporters are always claiming there team is doin) so that supporters and club members can take pride in there team and aspire to compete in top tournaments
how are clubs and players going to raise the standard on and off the field if they dont get exposed to the highest level possible
Do you know what nemesis means
as much as players will want to play the big teams like Milan, no one in NZ wants too see one of these NZFC teams go and get humiliated year after year at a major Fifa event.
Tell me how exactly its motivational for players and supporters to go and get killed by a professional team in the world of Fifa? the money is the only good things they get out of it, and publicity for all the wrong reasons. Has there been a good article about this? show me, cause all i see is stuff about Oceania losing our rights to play because of poor displays on the pitch,
Motivational? give me a break
Edit* o and i would find it more motivaitonal to play better to get a pro contract at the phoenix tbh than once a year get beaten by a pro overseas team.
muso2007-12-21 22:20:19