Anti-Russian hysteria in England

Tags: World, Russia, England, Sports, World Cup 2018, 2018/2022 World Cups , Commentary

Sergei Saenko

6.12.2010, 15:50

England is threatening to withdraw from FIFA in protest over England not being allowed to host the World Cup Championship in 2018, as Russia was chosen instead. Judging by the British press and declarations made by football public figures, England is very upset over the fact that the 2018 World Cup will not be held on the British Isles. The British media have moved from exposures to outright insults. Abusive materials are published not only by tabloids but also by serious British newspapers, which does not do them credit. First of all, accusations are showered on FIFA and its Executive Committee, because its members dared to vote against England. The British press and some football officials are demonstrating un-gentlemanlike behavior. They are accusing FIFA officials of corruption and demand a reform of this respectable international organization. The England 2018 bid Chief Executive Andy Anson also expressed his disappointment with the FIFA voting process. Читать далее Source: Voice of Russia.

England is threatening to withdraw from FIFA in protest over England not being allowed to host the World Cup Championship in 2018, as Russia was chosen instead.

Judging by the British press and declarations made by football public figures, England is very upset over the fact that the 2018 World Cup will not be held on the British Isles. The British media have moved from exposures to outright insults. Abusive materials are published not only by tabloids but also by serious British newspapers, which does not do them credit. First of all, accusations are showered on FIFA and its Executive Committee, because its members dared to vote against England. The British press and some football officials are demonstrating un-gentlemanlike behavior. They are accusing FIFA officials of corruption and demand a reform of this respectable international organization. The England 2018 bid Chief Executive Andy Anson also expressed his disappointment with the FIFA voting process.

In our opinion, the British football authorities are not behaving appropriately. For example, acting head of the British football federation Roger Burden, instead of stopping the journalist hysteria, declared his distrust in FIFA and resigned from his post. Some coaches suggested England’s withdrawal from FIFA. England is hardly likely to take this radical step, as this is a very big risk of finding itself in world football isolation. Financial losses will also be very considerable in this case. English football clubs’ isolation from European tournaments in the 1980s is a good proof of that.

Besides FIFA, football founding fathers are also attacking Russia. The English call the Russian bid the weakest, but still, Russia was picked to host the 2018 World Cup. Why is England so hurt by losing its bid? Undoubtedly, the English, the founders of football, are annoyed that the World Cup will be held not in their country but in Russia, where football, in their opinion, is not developed enough. Recall that England hosted the World Cup only once, in 1966. That was the first and last time for England to become the world champion. Since then, they have never won any serious tournaments at the national level, for all the 80 years of World Cup championships. Apparently, the English are only lucky at home. So, if they cannot host the world Cup, they have very little chance to become victorious. This seems to be the English logic.

On our part, we would like to point out that, unlike England, Russia has no qualms with FIFA. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev confirmed this in his telephone conversation with the FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Sunday, when he thanked him for giving our country the right to host the World Cup. Before that, on the 2nd of December, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin did the same during his personal meeting with Sepp Blatter in Zurich. Vladimir Putin assured FIFA and all football lovers that Russia will spare no effort in holding the 2018 World Cup on the highest level. Our country is planning to invest $10 billion in building new stadiums and infrastructure necessary for the championship.