As is the case in all the other countries who failed with their bids, the feeling in Spain is one of bitterness and anger. Much of the globe, minus Qatar and Russia, is in unison with Spain, expressing the view that (oil) money had more than a large part to play in the voting. Always a sad state of affairs when politics and economics get mixed in with sport, but with FIFA this was always inevitable.
Spain In Mourning Over Failed World Cup 2018 Bid
The general view in these parts is that Spain, when it comes to holding major footballing events, is in the past. A past when those countries with strong football leagues, fervent support, a developed transport infrastructure and nice, big stadiums already standing tall used to win through in the voting. These days, the big events will go to ‘developing’ countries who place a nice big wad of dollar notes infront of those salivating FIFA delegates.
The United States and Western Europe is in the midst of a financial crisis unlike any other seen in living memory. England, Spain and Portugal are cutting back on spending like there’s no tomorrow and the word of the moment is ‘debt’. In the meantime, the likes of Russia and Qatar, with their vast swathes of petroldollars, grin like chesire cats, knowing full well that FIFA will bow down to their investment power and hand them the World Cups for 2012 and 2018 on a gold-plated dish.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque chose his words wisely, but still summed it up well when he said:
‘We are a modern and advanced country, with passionate supporters and a superb league. We offer a series of conditions that few can equal, but the power of money is important. We must accept defeat and congratulate those who have worked hard to win their bids.’
Sadly, we are now at a stage where a country like Spain, which offers us Barcelona, Real Madrid, La Liga, and the World and European Champions doesnt even come close to winning through. The next opportunity will come knocking around when FIFA huddle up to decide who will hold the 2026 World Cup. Only 16 years to wait, by which time the economic tables may have turned and FIFA will look upon the Spains and Englands of this world as re-emerging nations with wads of cash to spend! Only then will they have a hope of staging footballs biggest event.
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