Asian qualifiers

Almost 210 football associations from all over the world are members of FIFA, football’s governing body. FIFA has more

members than the United Nations. The popularity of the game in most parts of the world can easily be gauged from the fact that billions watch the World Cup matches in the comfort of their homes on TV. No other sport quite matches football in generating the kind of excitement and enthusiasm it

provides.

Many of Nepal’s football matches with other countries played at Dashrath Rangashala have seen thousands of Nepali youths flock to the stadium to cheer for the national side. In one match, Nepal triumphed over Timor-Leste by scoring seven goals to one in two matches and advanced to the second round where Nepal suffered a humiliating nine to zero defeat at the hands of Jordan in a match played in Amman. In the return match played in Kathmandu, Nepal was able to put up a much better performance. The match ended in a 1-1 draw with Jordan. But overall, Nepal lost to Jordan by 10 goals to one.

These matches were played in 2011 to qualify for the ongoing 2014 FIFA World Cup. Those who qualified for the 2014 World Cup from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after four rounds were Iran and South Korea from Group A and Japan and Australia from Group B. As we all saw in the group matches in Brazil, all four teams from the AFC were eliminated and could not advance to the next pre-quarter finals round. It was a poor show by Asia and Australia—which is a member of AFC though it is not in Asia.

Poor show

This raises many questions. Asian countries with a third of the world’s population could have done much better. But FIFA allows only four teams from the AFC to join the final 32 teams. The European countries, on the other hand, have a field day sending in over a dozen teams for the event. This is clearly unfair and is detrimental to the cause of football. Apparently, efforts are being made to increase the number of final teams to 40, giving Asia much needed space. This will encourage more and more youths yearning to take up football and may even lead to Asian players becoming more and more professional. This could create a situation in Asia where clubs become as rich as those in the Europe and are able to find generous sponsors who will ultimately help Asian players put up a better performance. Who knows Asian players in their own countries and continents may earn as much as Cristiano Ronaldo ($80 million in 2014) and Lionel Messi ($65 million). Unfortunately, football has become an industry like any other, such as the movies, and is all about money. Football clubs are bought and sold—including players—as if they were mere commodities.

And that FIFA said to be worth a whooping $1 trillion plus is no exception. FIFA officials are also reported to give away grants and other forms of help to other members and affiliates. Such corruption charges have also reached the All Nepal Football Association. No doubt competent authorities will investigate the matter and make the truth public.

Biting finish

Meanwhile, it is interesting to note that the four times World Cup winners, Italy, as well as previous cup winners, England, and the winners of the last World Cup, Spain, have had to leave after their poor performance in the group matches. What was interesting was the Group D match between Uruguay and Italy was that almost till the few last minutes, the game was heading towards a nail biting draw, which would have sent Italy into the next round. But an 81st minute goal by Diego Godin sealed Italy’s fate. Minutes earlier, the nail-biting suspense was broken by a shoulder biting, which was there for all to see in telecasts over the world. Uruguay’s Luis Suarez was seen to have bitten an Italian defender. Reports say that this was not the first time that Suarez, whose earnings in 2014 was around $17 million and who plays for the English club Liverpool, resorted to such a malpractice.

The FIFA disciplinary committee is said to be investigating the matter but it must be said that such foul play, no matter who commits it, must be punished. For sports stars, like filmstars, are role models for the young across the globe and they should learn to behave in a fitting manner. A nail-biting finish is welcome but shoulder-biting is not.