Russia scandal has put pressure on FIFA
NINETY-NINE times out of 100, major decisions need major consideration.
Stripping Russia of the 2018 World Cup is different. It should be a no-brainer.
The numerous scandals that have engulfed FIFA in recent years ought to be cause for concern on their own.
But after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) called on Russia to be banned from hosting international sporting competitions amid claims of a state-sponsored doping programme, there is only one option.
That is to relocate football’s showpiece event immediately.
The argument is very simple – Russia does not deserve to stage the World Cup.
Why? Because it was awarded to them by a discredited organisation, in FIFA, via a seriously-murky bidding process.
Just imagine, it’s 2018, and, with the World Cup being staged in their own backyard, the pressure is on the Russian national team to deliver.
Won’t doping be a risk? Even more worrying, what about drugging opposition teams?
I admit that sounds a bit wild, but could we really rule it out?
And we haven’t even touched on the social risks the World Cup in Russia throws up!
Look at what happened when a single pack of Russian hooligans went on the rampage during the European Championships.
Their behaviour was terrifying, an absolute horror show.
How much worse could it be when there are tens of thousands of them?
I don’t care that Russia has started building stadiums in readiness for the tournament.
I don’t care how much money they claim scrapping the tournament will cost them.
All I care about is the World Cup, and I honestly believe its very reputation is at stake here.
Why should Russia be allowed the honour of hosting the World Cup?
Why should FIFA be allowed to hand them that honour, in spite of mounting controversy, just because removing it is more work? That shouldn’t even come into it. If FIFA want to prove they are a reformed organisation and if they have any care at all for football’s biggest tournament, they need to act.
If they do not, they will have no credibility left.