From: MLINDROOS@finabo.abo.fi (Marcus Lindroos INF)
Subject: Re: WC slots
Organization: Abo Akademi University, Finland
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 10:10:39 GMT
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.20

In <9208272132.AA04023@outmail.microsoft.com> t-frans@microsoft.com writes:

> WC = World Cup = WORLD CUP !
> 
> Note the word world.
> 
> For years I have bragged that the World Cup was the *true* world 
> championship contest.
> 
> The World Series?  come on !  How many *international* teams do you see 
> participate?
> 
> No country should be deprived of spots, NOR should other countries 
> sacrifice theirs.
> 
> This is a World event and adjustments should be made to accommodate 
> *all* entrants.
> 
> The Olympics went from a handful of nations to over 170 nations!
> 
> FIFA could and should learn from this example.
> 
> We need not argue any further on this topic.  Leave it to say, *all* 
> teams should have at least an *equal* *opportunity* to participate.  If 
> this is not the case today, then we need to make changes for *tomorrow*.
> 
> You have ideas, send them to FIFA !  Your complaints are worthless 
> otherwise.  If they're the *old farts* that posters make them out to be 
> then we need to voice our opinions OR get new representation, the 
> saying "...throw the bums out..." comes to mind.  Don't worry if you 
> don't understand this line.  If your following the circus here in the 
> states, run by (2) ring leaders (aka. politicians), then you'll 
> understand the idea.  :-)
> 
> Anyway, I'm all for the idea that all countries should have an opportunity.

Yup, no undeserved privilegies(sp) for any team - European, South American,
African, Asian/Oceanian or North/Central American. I feel the number of
guaranteed slots per FIFA region should be far fewer than they are at the
moment. Face it, to have a *REAL* World Cup you need at least one team from
each federation - that's five countries altogether. ANYONE should be able to
lay their hands on the remaining 19 places - not just x slots for Europe, y for
Africa etc.. If the Africans, Asians etc. weren't such a bunch of pussies,
they would demand intercontinental playoffs against the "established" European &
South American teams rather than whine about the "unfair" allocation of World
Cup berths.
---
Here's my solution. The number of "regional" places in the World Cup finals
tournament should be no more than eight. The remaining sixteen finalists are
determined by playing intercontinental playoffs: Europe vs. Africa, North
America vs. South America, Asia vs. Oceania (far fewer slots for these of
course). Hey, even Finland might have a chance:-)
  
> Francis.
> 
MARCU$

PS: While I'm at it - why not expand the World Cup to 32 teams?! This way, we
can have eight groups of four teams with only the group winners going to the
second round. More exciting teams, only two more matches, more opportunities
for everyone. Soccer's main "problem" is that there are too many good teams
around. The Soviet & Yugoslavian break-up means the European scene is crowded,
the Africans, Yanks and Aussies are improving by leaps and bounds and want more
World Cup slots for their regions as well. The only solution is - expansion!

Newsgroups: rec.sport.soccer