I have said that in my lifetime, I am going to try and visit every continent, perhaps with the exception of the South Pole, as I would not have a clue how to get there, or any reason to.
Regarding Africa, I will probably get to Egypt one day. Sharm El Sheikh and all that looks ok, but I would have to see the Pyramids. (How criminal would it be to go all that way and NOT see them?) We looked at Tunisia for this year, but friends who went said it was shoite and the food was awful, etc. I know people who have had a luxury stay in Morrocco as well, but it was a case of staying at the hotel by the pool. (albeit 5 star luxury) So, really it could have been anywhere in the world.
But as for the rest of Africa? No thanks. I think of Africa, and I think of Apartheid. Nelson Mandela. White Racist Afrikaans. Zulu. Born Free (yes, big f*ck off lions-no thanks). Bob Geldof. Flies on undernourished kids in refugee camps. Lenny Henry ( overweight, un-funny comedian, preaching about famine….FFS! Him and his obese wife probably eat in a week enough to feed several African families for months!)…..yes, it’s all very ‘positive’. Not.
It’s all a FIFA ploy. Can’t put my finger on the reason, but I find it truly laughable that they are sending the World’s best nations and players, to a country that is more known for rugby and cricket. I mean, where is S.A. in the country rankings? My genuine feeling is that the host country should be at least one of the top 20 countries. A football mad country, where the passion will be electric. I just feel that this World Cup could be a real damp squib, in much the way USA ’94 was. Already there are big worries about accomodation and transport, and you really do have to worry that somebody will die during the tournament, in a bungled robbery, or something.
And if we don’t get the 2018 tournament, it’s a disgrace. I believe Brazil are in for it (again), despite having terrible stadiums and infrastructure. An infrastructure that includes no real sewage disposal, apart from the kind of sewage outlets into the sea that they used to have in Blackpool. By all accounts, the Copacabana Beach is far from the beauty it once was.
There is no better place to hold the World Cup than this country, with it’s magnificent stadiums, infrastructure, and the fact that we organised a superb Euro ’96 tournament.
On the pitch, I really think we have a big chance. But what a shame if there are only a couple of thousand fans there to see it?
