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[Banjax]

England won't win as the press are deemed too much trouble for Fifa, despite the best stadia.

The joint Belgian/Dutch bid won't win as Holland have refused to create the tax-exempt bubble around all things Fifa for the duration of the tournament - as is traditional and expected, plus they've been honest that it'll lose money.

That leaves Russia and the Spain/Portugal bid, the stadiums in Spain and Portugal are fantastic, the weather would be great and the place is football daft, but 1982 Spain hosted so I guess we're all off to Russia - which will be a complete disaster in my opinion a tournament stretched across 9 timezones with shonky infrastucture, deep racism and corruption at every level.....come to think of it - its perfect for Fifa

[bob.dent]

I suspect it'll probably be Russia that wins it - the Russian mafia can probably afford the highest bribes!! The BBC have totally breaked our chance of getting it, even the PM asked the BBC not to air Panorama but the pompous arses were only thinking of their potential viewing figures.
Obviously someone at the Beeb hates footie. :-?

[Richie London]

be thousands coming over and very few going home when the olympics starts. keep the football in europe. enough illegal immigrants over here now as it is

[bluey]

I'd be gobsmacked if England got the nod.  Not because of the press (Panorama is a red herring, FIFA simply don't like anyone asking awkward questions) but because Blatter has got such a huge ego and has this thing about the World cup leaving a legacy wherever it goes.  That effectively rules out England as footie is such a dominant sport here.  In Russia it isn't. England has the majority of the infrastructure in palce.  Russia will have to build a lot of new grounds, transport links and accommodation.  So it fits in with Blatter's wishes. 

In some ways I hope Russia do get the nod.  Then the hacks can really go to town on FIFA! 

[millwall]

be thousands coming over and very few going home when the olympics starts. keep the football in europe. enough illegal immigrants over here now as it is

agreed by the end of 2012 population will increase by 25% so we dont want 2018  i love football but cant see hosting it will do us any favors   the immigrants wont have to cling to the underside of an artic they will use olympics and cup to come over

[geoffr70]

England won't win as the press are deemed too much trouble for Fifa, despite the best stadia.

The joint Belgian/Dutch bid won't win as Holland have refused to create the tax-exempt bubble around all things Fifa for the duration of the tournament - as is traditional and expected, plus they've been honest that it'll lose money.

That leaves Russia and the Spain/Portugal bid, the stadiums in Spain and Portugal are fantastic, the weather would be great and the place is football daft, but 1982 Spain hosted so I guess we're all off to Russia - which will be a complete disaster in my opinion a tournament stretched across 9 timezones with shonky infrastucture, deep racism and corruption at every level.....come to think of it - its perfect for Fifa

Sounds like Britain to me. I found my Russian friends and hosts very decent people.

[Banjax]

I'd be gobsmacked if England got the nod.  Not because of the press (Panorama is a red herring, FIFA simply don't like anyone asking awkward questions) but because Blatter has got such a huge ego and has this thing about the World cup leaving a legacy wherever it goes.  That effectively rules out England as footie is such a dominant sport here.  In Russia it isn't. England has the majority of the infrastructure in palce.  Russia will have to build a lot of new grounds, transport links and accommodation.  So it fits in with Blatter's wishes. 

In some ways I hope Russia do get the nod.  Then the hacks can really go to town on FIFA! 

I think you're right, the Panorama and the Sunday Times investigations may well be used as a scapegoat when the truth is England never was in the front running.
As far as actually broadcasting Panorama, well if it puts a few corrupt noses out of joint then good - I would rather have honesty and integrity than bow and scrape to Fifa fat cats wanting to suppress our free press, who the hell do they think they are? 

[Banjax]

England won't win as the press are deemed too much trouble for Fifa, despite the best stadia.

The joint Belgian/Dutch bid won't win as Holland have refused to create the tax-exempt bubble around all things Fifa for the duration of the tournament - as is traditional and expected, plus they've been honest that it'll lose money.

That leaves Russia and the Spain/Portugal bid, the stadiums in Spain and Portugal are fantastic, the weather would be great and the place is football daft, but 1982 Spain hosted so I guess we're all off to Russia - which will be a complete disaster in my opinion a tournament stretched across 9 timezones with shonky infrastucture, deep racism and corruption at every level.....come to think of it - its perfect for Fifa

Sounds like Britain to me. I found my Russian friends and hosts very decent people.

actually it sounds like London