Benefits of Hosting the Federation of International Football Association World Cup - Case Study Example

Running Header: FIFA 2018 and 2022 Controversy Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code: Date of Submission: Introduction Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) world cup is the most common sport event on the planet. Currently, it’s estimated that the event has over one third of the world’s population as fans. This clearly indicates how the sporting event is of great importance to many people (Adrian 2010). However, FIFA has not gone without receiving blames on how it awards bids to those countries that are interested in hosting the event. The most recent controversy, being the 2011 bids for 2018 and 2022 FIFA world cup events. It’s argued that the process that was used to select the country to host the 2018 and 2022 tournaments was not transparent after some concerns were raised that corruption had engulfed it. When Frank Lowy took over the leadership of football administration in Australia, his main objective was to make the game famous and favorably compete with other sporting organizations like the AFL and Rugby Union as well as Rugby league. His dream was further aimed at helping the country Host the FIFA World Cup 2022. According to Quentin McDermott the Four Corners reporter, “it was surprising to see how the Football Federation Australia (FFA) lost $42 million that was spent to win just one vote from the World Cup governing organization FIFA.” According to the reporter, it was not realistic that the country could only manage one vote during the award (Lance 2011). Further, this raised issues on how taxpayers’ money could be spent on the processes that are not just and transparent. Questions were also raised on whether the move was good value for FFA money and the actual role of the Australian representatives in the body when a lot of money had just been lavished like that. Given that the country is headed for elections on FFA officials, the Federal Government and other Stakeholders are trading it very cautiously to make sure that Football Association is able to survive the current wave. FIFA controversial bid Australia is particularly concerned about requesting for a refund of the money used in the bid since the process was perceived to be corrupt. The issue has been raised after the Australian senator had requested the Federal Government to make its threats real by going a step further and request a refund for its money which is equivalent to $46 million. According to Senator Nick Xenophon, no single cent will again be spent on World Cups Bids until the corruption scandals in the association are resolved. To add to this, the former, English Football Association Chief David Triesman, several FIFA officials were enticed during the bids in order to compromise their votes, a process that denied all the competitors a fair chance. Even though, FIFA is investigating into these claims, “it’s real becoming a sensitive matter for Australia whether the country should continue investing millions of dollars in a body that they are not sure if justice will ever be done,” according to Senator Xenophon (AME report 2011). According to lance Winslow FIFA commentator, despite the fact that FIFA membership is well spread throughout the world, it was surprising that civilization cannot be demonstrated in such a sensitive process. While Winslow discussing this issue with a certain sports blogger, from London, who had asked him to give his view on the matter and how the controversy came into being, he was real concerned if real the English and Australian football associations, had the capacity to take FIFA to court or they were just bad losers of the event. If real corruption allegations are correct, then the case is subject to court so that justice can be done. This is important in protecting the most entertaining even of the planet as well as the industry that has employed a millions of people. The discussion that Qatar bribed some FIFA officials is a very sensitive matter to talk about as this may put the security of the event at stake. This is because the Muslim gentlemen may not want to be called liars. It’s from this point that it has become increasingly difficult for the countries that feel aggrieved to go to court. It is also believed that taking these allegations to court will jeopardize the peace relationship between the West and the Middle East. According to Winslow, Russia’s case may be let to go but is so much with the Qatar issue especially a time like this when there are several issues regarding the security in the region under the UN and the Security Council. Given the trend of events involving the FIFA World Cup bids with Australia, it’s real raising issues of the chances of Australia to ever host the tournament. This is even likely to be worse if FIFA goes ahead to deny the allegations against it. To add on this, Australia has already recommended that serious reforms be made to the association before deciding again to invest in the body (Lance 2011). And the question that is being raised is what will happen to Australia if nothing is done to the Associations and that if no reform takes places? Will Australia re-consider its stand and bid for 2026 FIFA 2026? That is a subject of discussion given that there are both challenges and benefits that arise from hosting such an event. In deciding whether the country should bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, we need to take a closer look on the positive and negative factors of hosting the event. Benefits of hosting FIFA World Cup As discussed earlier, FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event that has ever occurred on the world and it’s liked by billions of fans from all parts of the globe. As a matter of fact, this is both a social and economic event. It’s a social event from the perspective that it helps bring different communities, races and languages together. The even plays the role of a unifying factor in the sense that it allows interaction of persons from all works of live. It’s an economic event from the perspective that it has to be planned for and it needs massive investment of country resources running to billions of dollars. However, apart from large investments, if well planned and marketed, the event can payback plus some profits (Hiller 2004). The FIFA World Cup event is associated with the creation of health and education as well as football facilities in various parts of the country where young people can be attracted and benefit from services provided in those facilities. For example in South Africa in preparation to World Cup 2010, 20 such Centers were established as part of the Federation’s move to nurture and develop skills among the youth and at the same time give the opportunity to access important information on social life (Weakonomic 2011). The sport to some extent has a unique power in helping people forget about the differences that exist among them as result of enjoying a shared experience. As an example to illustrate this, in 2009 during Under 20 FIFA World Cup in Egypt, everybody ran into the streets of Cairo after Ghana beat Brazil at the finals to lift the title. This is because it was a very rare encounter and situation where an African team beat Brazil (Mortenp 2010). The same scenario was experienced in German in 2006 when the hosting country residents were singing the national anthem and lifting the country’s flags while on their cars to and from their homes. This is not a situation that can easily be invoked by any event not even politics (Kelso 2010). FIFA World Cup can also be a very good source of empowering young people by giving them the opportunity to train, nurture and develop their skills in readiness to take on thee world. In addition, the infrastructure established can be a good source of professionalizing football in the world and ensure meaningful development of young and talented players (FIFA 2009). Culturally, hosting FIFA World Cup events has helped recognize young talents by the world’s developed leagues and in the process they have been given the opportunity to play abroad in leagues like EPL and La-Riga. This has earned several players good living and development back in their countries from the revenues they earn. Finally, FIFA World Cup events can also help heal any divides that may be there in the society. For example, in Europe where racism is the order of the day, football has helped reconcile and bring together the troubled nations (SouthAfrica.info 2009). FIFA World Cup can actually be a change of mind. This is because of the way people celebrate with the victors and consoling the losers. It’s real an inspiring event where passion and dedication as well as spirit of the country may be demonstrated in welcoming the visitors. FIFA World Cup is very critical in promoting equality and integration among different nations according Human Sciences Research Council (2009). Disadvantages of hosting FIFA World Cup However, there are also negative sides of hosting FIFA World Cup event. First and foremost, the event is very expensive and to make it a success, billions of dollars need to be invested. According to Professor Richard Tomlinson from the University of Melbourne, the cost of preparations can spiral beyond manageable level. For example in 2010, South Africa had spent over $4 billion on preparations (University of Melbourne 2011). This to some level can be very hurting to the country budget even though there are some economic benefits like foreign exchange earning (Crotty 2009). Inflation is also very likely especially when the tournament is held in developing countries where the visitors are willing to pay any price for basic commodities. This can be very harmful to the ordinary consumer. Finally, another problem associated with the FIFA World Cup event is the destruction of the country’s infrastructure. Tear and wear is a common feature for such big event to the infrastructure and services (The Football Palaces 2010). Conclusion FIFA World Cup is a very competitive event that any country may desire to host. The process of bidding and awarding is a very complex one leaving many bidders wondering if it’s real fair and just. To add on this, bidding alone is a very expensive process that cost each bidder over $46 million. Ideally this explains the reason as to why the exercise must be fair so that the right winner carries the day. The most important thing for Australia is not withdraw from bidding for 2026 FIFA World Cup but to try to amend its differences with the Association and the same time try to find out real what the reasons that have rendered their bids unsuccessful are. This way, they will be able to make successful bids in future. At the same time, there is need to recognize the relative importance of such an event both to the economy and the socio-cultural life. References Adrian M 2010, Will Australia ever host the football World Cup? Viewed 25 March 2012 from http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/12/15/will-australia-ever-host-the-football-world-cup/ AME report 2011, Controversy engulfs Qatar World Cup, Viewed 25 March 2012 from http://www.ameinfo.com/266805.html Cottle, E 2009, Workers battle and CEO’s cream it while World Cup costs soar. Cape Times, Viewed 25 March 2012 from http://www.gt.co.za/files/2009_07_13_948621.pdf Davie, K 2010, Costing the greatest show. Mail & Guardian, Viewed 25 March 2012 from, http:// www.mg.co.za/article/2010-01-08-costing-the-greatest-show Crotty, A 2009, Stadium costs investigated. Business Report, Viewed 25 March 2012 from http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5084497 FIFA 2009, Public sentiment ahead of 2010 FIFA World Cup remains high in South Africa, Viewed 25 March 2012 from http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/organisation/index.html Human Sciences Research Council 2009, "Consolidation of positive attitudes towards 2010, but expectations must be addressed", Sydney. Hiller, H 2004, Mega-events, urban boosterism and growth strategies: an analysis of the objectives and legitimations of the Cape Town 2004 Olympic Bid. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research 24(2) (2000), 449-458. Available at http://www3.interscience.wiley. Com/journal/118511932/home (accessed 19 March 2010). Kelso, P 2010, Lord Coe to rescue England’s World Cup 2018 bid. The Daily Telegraph, 18 February 2009. Available at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/4683143/Lord- Coe-to-rescue-Englands-World-Cup-2018-bid.html (accessed 3 March 2010). Lance W 2011, Bidding Country Controversy Over the FIFA World Cup Soccer Awards for 2018 and 2022, Viewed 25 March 2012 from http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow. Mortenp. What is a mega sport event? Available at http://www.thepulse2007.org/?p=106#more- 106 (accessed 17 March 2010). SouthAfrica.info 2009, South Africans upbeat on 2010, Viewed 25 March 2012 from http://www.southafrica.info/2010/survey-090107.htm The Football Palaces 2010, World Cup Disadvantages, Viewed 25 March 2012 from http://www.ehow.com/list_6754290_disadvantages-hosting-2010-world-cup.html University of Melbourne 2011, South Africa to face economic drawbacks from World Cup, Viewed 25 March 2012 from http://cms.unimelb.edu.au/?a=338076 Weakonomic 2011, Benefits of Hosting the FIFA World Cup Part III, Viewed 25 March 2012 from http://weakonomics.com/2010/07/15/benefits-of-hosting-the-fifa-world-cup-part-iii/ Read More