Breaking News: Ken Bates urges European nations to break away from FIFA
In one of the most bizarre pieces of media statements in recent history, Leeds chairman has clearly overreacted after England lost their bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. On 2nd of December 2010, in Zurich, FIFA’s executive committee voted
to give the hosting rights of the 2018 FIFA World Cup to Russia and the 2022 FIFA World Cup to Qatar. Amidst this news, the reactions coming out from England have been dignified to say the least. People such as Harry Redknapp and Arsene Wenger has spoken out
against football’s governing body which took a bold step to award the 2018 and the 2022 World Cup’s to nations which have never hosted the tournament before.
Ken Bates has been known for his uncanny statements before the camera but this is even a new high for the man who is the boss at Leeds United. England were one of the favourites to get the rights to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup but their knockout from the
voting process in round one after just securing two votes out of the total twenty two has come as a shock to many in the British Isles. Bates termed FIFA as a waste of space after their decision to give the 2018 World Cup to Russia.
In his statement to the local Yorkshire media, he said, "I'm of the opinion that the big European nations should resign from FIFA and start their own organization. If they (FIFA) didn't have Spain, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom there wouldn't be
a FIFA. There wouldn't be a UEFA for that matter. The only way to deal with FIFA is to withdraw from it and let them get on with it. FIFA are a two-bob organization above any law and should be treated with the contempt they deserve.”
He added, "It's a case of the tail wagging the dog. We have little Jack Warner standing in the corner, Oceania, the Caribbean, and the oil states. All that happens is they keep giving the votes to Blatter so he stays there in power.”
Speaking about England’s prowess in football, he said, "The fact of the matter is we (England) have the best stadiums and the best infrastructure. If you think of the disaster of the Champions League final in Moscow a couple of years ago when people were
being billeted 100 miles away it's a joke.”
Leeds United’s chairman further stated, “As for Qatar - I always think someone is clearing their throat when they say that. How are they going to develop football? Australia, who have all the stadia and put a tremendous Olympics on, would have put on a great
show. FIFA is a waste of space. It's a money making organization and I don't think they give a d**n about football."
Ken Bates concluded his outrageous interview by stating, "Should the Bahamas have the same vote as England? Should Andorra have the same as Germany? No, it's rubbish; we should form an elite association of countries."
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