Unbelievable Jeff… but It’s Here!
OK, not many people like the timing, but the FIFA World Cup Finals 2022 start today in Qatar. A dubious and debatable venue, but it's beyond the control of us mere mortals.
Controversy has surrounded the choice of venue of course. Qatar is in its infancy as a footballing nation, and certain quarters have voiced their opinions and concerns about how a nation with such little experience could be awarded the finals. This, along with the high costs of staging the competition (more about that later), the suitability of the climate, and the country's poor human rights record have led to many questions, and accusations of bribery between FIFA and the Qatar bid committee.
Some Countries are registering protest at Qatar's human rights record by withdrawing fan zones on home soil. In particular, World Cup holders France have withdrawn fan zones from Paris, Marseilles, Lille and Strasbourg among others.
The last-minute decision to ban drinking in the stadiums has also led to more outrage. Ironic, given that the main sponsor is Budweiser who have been a sponsorship partner to the competition since 1986.
Either way, the fact is that the competition is starting today, come what may. To say it's going to be interesting is an understatement. So, let's lighten the mood a little and have a look back at past finals for some interesting facts and tales.
Did you know?...
Football was first included in the Olympic games in Paris in the year 1900. Following the successful staging of the first World Cup finals in Uruguay in 1930, the game was dropped from the 1932 Olympics. Uruguay ran out 4-2 winners against neighbours Argentina in that first final.
A large number of countries declined their invitation to the 1930 finals as they deemed Uruguay too far to travel too. The only way these countries could get to the host country was oversea as commercial flying was still a couple of decades away.
Other facts from the First World Cup.
USA Coach Jack Coll ran onto the pitch to attend an injured player during the semi-final with Argentina. In doing so, he accidentally broke a bottle of chloroform and knocked himself out. He had to be stretchered off the pitch. It wasn't to be USA's day as they went on to get thrashed 6-1.
Finalists Argentina and Uruguay could not agree on who should supply the ball for the final. It was therefore agreed that Argentina would provide the ball for the first half and Uruguay the second. Uruguay found themselves 2-1 down at half time but went on to score three goals with their own ball in the second half to run out 4-2 winners.
The smallest crowd at a match in the history of World Cup finals was recorded in Uruguay during the 1930 finals. 300 fans turned up for the Romania v Peru match. The final however saw 68,346 fans witness the game.
One of the goal scorers for Uruguay in the final that day was one Hector Castro. Extraordinarily, Castro only had one arm, having lost the other in an accident with an electric saw when he was 13. He was given the nickname of 'El Manco' - The One Armed.
Random World Cup Tales and Facts.
The Indian team decided to step down from the 1950 finals. It was believed that the team wanted to play their games barefoot, yet it flouted FIFA's rules. Now, this story is clouded in contention...but why let the truth get in the way of a good tale?
One of Italy's finest players Guseppe Meazza was a vital part of the national team in their winning of the 1934 World Cup final. He was rumoured to be as much a livewire off the field as on it. The legend that surrounded him suggested that he liked to visit Brothels on nights before matches. During the 1938 World Cup final against Brazil, Italy were awarded a penalty, and Meazza was to take it. As he went to take the penalty his shorts fell down (further proof that the man clearly had a problem keeping his keks on). He simply pulled them up with one hand and took the kick. The Brazilian keeper couldn't contain his laughter as the ball hit the back of the net.
The great Russian keeper Lev Yashin played in three World Cup finals ('58, '62, and '66). He was nicknamed the Black Spider due to his all-black kit and his incredible ability as a shot stopper. When asked about his pre-game rituals he replied that his trick was to 'have a smoke to calm your nerves and then toss back a strong drink to tone your muscles'.
Did you know that birth rates appear to increase in the countries that are doing well in the competition? This can be backed up by the fact that Germany saw its birth rate increase by 10% nine months after they hosted the 2006 World Cup finals (in which they placed 3rd). It seems that the excitement and increase in alcohol consumption raises the libido...amongst other things!
All about the dollar.
The most expensive ticket in the last World cup was $1100 apparently. It is believed that Qatar has spent $220 billion setting up everything for the finals. In comparison, the 2010 South Africa World Cup only cost a paltry $3.5 billion to set up.
The winners of Qatar 2022 will receive $42 million from the pot of $440 million in prize money allocated.
- Winners - $42 million
- Runner up - $30 million
- Third - $27 million
- Fourth - $25 million
- Quarter Finalists - $17 million
- Last 16 - $13 million
- Group Stage - $9 million
Referees.
There will be 36 Referees and 69 Assistant Referees officiating the competition at Qatar 2022.
For the first time in World Cup competition history there will also be three female Referees among the thirty-six given the task of officiating the games. They will be complemented by 3 female Assistant Referees. They are:
- Stephanie Frappart - France - Referee.
- Salima Mukansanga - Rwanda - Referee.
- Yoshimi Yamashita - Japan - Referee.
- Neuza Back – Brazil - Assistant Referee.
- Karen Diaz Medina – Mexico - Assistant Referee.
- Kathryn Nesbitt - USA - Assistant Referee.
He Said What?!
And finally,
"Football is a simple game. 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end the Germans win it! - Gary Lineker*.*
"Football has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all the rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence. In other words, it is war minus the shooting" - Geoge Orwell.
"One thing is for sure, a World Cup without me isn't worth watching" - Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
"I'm sure sex wouldn't be as rewarding as winning the World Cup. It's not that good, but the World Cup is every four years and sex is not" - Cristiano Ronaldo.
And my personal favourite (I maybe paraphrasing here!),
"You're a f***ing wa***r! I didn't rate you as a player, I don't rate you as a manager and I don't rate you as a person. You can stick your World Cup up your arse!" - Roy Keane ensuring his 'de-selection' from the Irish team to manager Mick McCarthy in the 2002 World Cup finals.
Finally, best wishes to my fellow countrymen Cymru in the competition - RY'N NI YMA O HYD!
P.S
Someone asked me to name three Qatar players in the pub last night.
I replied, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page (special thanks to my friend Nigel Blues for that one).
Until next time,
The Attention Junkie