:eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy
I don't think baldness and make-up match well, would look like a crossover of techno and goth :) So, ehm, no it wasn't me :D
Printable View
:eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy
I don't think baldness and make-up match well, would look like a crossover of techno and goth :) So, ehm, no it wasn't me :D
Yes, but travel distances are a huge difference as Pineapple Stu told. Travelling from Egypt to South Africa is a much more expensive trip than from Norway to Spain, let alone what it will cost to go from Guam to Jordan. Plus, in Europe there's excellent travel facilities because we have good transport facilities both via air, water and land. While an away game to Sao Tome & Principe or the Comores is much less easy to organise, certainly for a rather poor FA from the other side of the continent. If Cape Verde has to play away vs the Seychelles it would cost them a fortune... While in Europe this problem is non existing. Even Israel-Iceland would be relatively easy to set up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Levantine
Hmmm...was thinking that afterwards alright...oh well! Still, the travel is definitely a consideration. Also, the difference in quality between the top and bottom European and the top and bottom African and Asian teams is far smaller.Quote:
Originally Posted by Levantine
Marginalised/kicked out - same idea.Quote:
Originally Posted by eirebhoy
The next campaign sees I think groups of eight? That'll give the smaller nations a couple more competitive games too. In any case, you currently have the likes of Faroe Islands v. Cyprus, Liechtenstein v. Luxembourg, Malta v. Iceland - in which the bigger country has yet to win. So there are a few competitive games already anyway.
I kinda liked seeing San Marino go one up against England so i say keep them in :)
:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Cowboy
Case rested!
A glorious seven minutes spent flicking between NI-Ireland and San Marino-England before David Platt I think finally equalised. Memories! Still have the newspaper from the following day! :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by gaf1983
i see your point,and its a good idea. but what id prefer personally is to go one further, have say the lowest 7 ranked uefa countries put into one group qualifying group, so theres going to be a chance of 1 minnow qualifying,and one to make play offs.id understand the logic of objecting to this,because it would guarantee the likes of andorra san marino etc gettin into the world cup/european championship.
if i couldnt get that guaranteed,then my next and very fair suggestion is this:
an open draw for every team,no seeds,no pots,no pools etc. simple open draw. meaning technically the likes of germany, france, italy, spain, sweden, england could end up in the same group-of course the big countries would be majorly pi$$ed off at that, and likewise andorra,san marino,faeroes,liechtenstein,luxembourg and malta could get in the same group. but tough shiyt if anyone is inconvenienced.this is a completely open and fair way of drawing qualifying groups.the current system is corrupt to the advantage of the bigger countries.
ah the oul "sure we're just happy to be there" attitude :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Colie
Actually, a couple of people I was talking to were saying they were getting bored with losing all the time and were looking for the team to take another step forward and start getting five or six points a campaign. A few years ago, the Faroes were getting beaten 8-1 (by Yugoslavia) and 6-2 (by Spain), so they've made progress since then already. Perfect example of why they shouldn't be marginalised.Quote:
Originally Posted by anto eile
imagine this:northern ireland v vatican city.should be interesting :D:D :D :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Gerrit
interestingly the vatican would (like andorra, who play in Barcelona) have to play home games out of their own country.id say theyd play in the flaminio stadium rathere than olimpico though
Read in When Saturday Comes that the Isle of Man and Guernsey are among the federations looking to join FIFA and play in the World Cup (though they wouldn't be allowed enter the European Championships). Now that would be taking the mick.
Well Guernsey have upgraded their Footes Lane ground to a 5,000 all-seater stadium iirc in time for this year's Muratti game against Jersey.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Plus they won the Football competition at the last Island Games.
The Isle of Man are the same - they compete in the Games (and won gold in the 2001 tournament) - plus they host the three Football League sides every summer in the Isle of Man Tournament- and regularly beat them.
Both would make good strong candidates - about the same standard as San Marino and Liechtenstein.
I would like to see them given a chance in the World Cup
I'd be more worried about an Islamic country playing them TBH. But it could very much happen that Northern Iron plays the Vatican, as the Vatican FA is on its way to enter the FIFA... Will probably not take too long before their first official international game is being played.Quote:
Originally Posted by anto eile
Andorra plays in its own Andorra La Vella ground but moves to Barcelona when a big crowd is expected. When Belgium played there 3 years ago it was in their own ground (BEL won 0-1 thanks to the referee framing Andorra - I don't like Belgian FA so I support the opposition, and I never came that close to see the Belgian FA ego's get THAT humiliated... Thanks a lot referee :mad: )
The Vatican would have no problem in finding a ground nearby, there is AFAIK no sport accomodation on Vatican soil (maybe someone who's visited the country or who has a detailed map can prove me right or wrong) but it would not be a problem to play their games on Italian soil.
I do wonder who will play for them, as most Vatican citizens keep their own nationality. I guess though the FA will arrange Vatican nationality for all selected players. They have a 5-a-side league so they can recruit players there and give them the Vatican nationality, as far as the Vatican-based players in the league have not already gained the local citizenship.
They're not countries, though, is my problem. Where do you draw the line? Do you let Cork in? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Réiteoir
Think the rule in UEFA is that you have to be a recognised country. This only came in in '94 or so, so anyone who got in before that (e.g. the Faroes) isn't going to get kicked out retrospectively. FIFA don't have such a rule though, it seems.
I'm open to correction but I think you have to be a at least principality with its own legislature and have a national league (hence the league of wales being formed)Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
The Faroe Islands participated in the Island Games football competition in the eighties and early nineties, and if my memory doesn't let me down, I think that the Faroes won gold everytime - very convincing too. This actually led them into seeking other challanges, which led into FIFA membership in 1988 - and UEFA in 1990. And even if they're still considered minnows, and rightly so, they have come a long way since their days at the Island Games. On a sidenote: It's a pity that they exited the Island Games, they could easily have manned a special island games team, since they don't participate with a U-21 team in UEFA and FIFA compititions..Quote:
Originally Posted by Réiteoir
I agree with that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Réiteoir
We wouldn't want Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland kicked out, now would we? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
I don't know if the rule is still the same, but it used to be: minimum distance of X kilometers to the homeland (not sure of the number) + well-structured FA. Thus, Greenland and Gibraltar could go in (well, the latter will have political objection rather than any other).
The following sovereign or non-sovereign states have well-structured FAs as far as I know and could apply for FIFA recognition if you let out political issues. The starred ones are busy with FIFA application and will very likely be entering the FIFA very soon.
Vatican City (*)
Monaco
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Guernsey
Isle of Man
Shetland Islands
Greenland (need a grass pitch or recognition of artificial surface and they're in)
Lapland
Gibraltar
Falkland Islands
Canary Islands
Tuvalu (*)
Christmas Island
Nauru
Cocos Islands (Keering Islands)
Tibet
East Timor
Western Sahara (?? Not sure if their FA meets all criteria)
Of all these countries, two are currently in the affiliation process and will normally enter FIFA soon: Vatican City, and Tuvalu.
Interesting fact is that approx 5 years ago, Palestina's FA was allowed in and has played in the qualifiers for this World Cup. Hence, Palestina is not yet fully sovereign (or at least not recognised by all countries), still they were allowed in. Bit of double standards IMO, if you drop political issues here you should do the same everywhere and also allow Tibet, Gibraltar and Falkland Islands to join. Why would Palestina be able to join despite Israeli objection while Spain and Argentina can still block Gibraltar and Falklands from joining ?!
The women's team still competes in the GamesQuote:
Originally Posted by Islander
Apparently a mate of mine from Jersey refereed one of their games in the 2003 tournament and had it shown live on Faeroes TV :D
Jersey should be on that list as wellQuote:
Originally Posted by Gerrit
True on the second point.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
First point - Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man all have independant Parliaments - and they set their own Laws
How could I forget our golden ladies!? /me shames himselfQuote:
Originally Posted by Réiteoir
The Faroes ladies were over here recently playing 2 matches against the Irish:Quote:
Originally Posted by Islander
http://www.fai.ie/article.asp?hlid=2...avlid=&sublid=
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy
That book about Liechtenstein is called Stomping Grounds: Liechtenstein's World Cup Oddysey and is a very good read. You can buy it here if you like:
Ireland 2-1 Faroes
UCD 3-1 Faroes! :D
And a UCD player scored both the Irish goals!
Got that Liechtenstein book in the post from amazon today - just had a flick through (about six other books to get through), but looks very good alright.
I've had a long day today (back at work first time from Faroes, blah, blah, blah) so forgive me for skipping pages 2-4 and if anything I say has already been mentioned. My two cents are this: Faroes, San Marino, Litchenstein, Scotland, etc. These countries are great. We normally win, the points are never included (I stand corrected) even if you f*ck up, and if there should be a penalty/incentive it is that whoever loses to these countries should lose 6 points. Plus (if you can get there) they are great destinations. Nothing against them.
It is the break up of proper countries that throw the spanner in the works, like Yugoslavia (remember Zagreb or :eek: Skopje, FFS). Now imagine if Spain split into with Catalunya, Euskadi, Castille etc. or France with Bretagne, Provence or Germany with Bavaria etc. We'd be up against it with these 'countries.'
What's this about?Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Ireland Ladies v Faroe Islands LadiesQuote:
Originally Posted by Schumi
UCD "ladies" v Faroe Islands Ladies
'Tis mad - someone was telling me about this in Café Natúr in Tórshavn last week, and I was adamant that they were only playing Ireland. Can't remember who is was - Galway Brian? - but apologies!!
When does Rockall join FIFA ?
Since Rockall belongs to the Faroes, it is allready included! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Cowboy
Monaco has a club team in the French league, the Canary Islands is covered by the FRF, Isle Of Man, Shetland Islands, Guernsey, come under the jurisdiction of the E/SFA, TR Cyprus is already an active FIFA member, Tibet comes under the Chinese FA. Vatican City is part of Rome, which comes under the Italian FA. None of these "countries" could become FIFA members, as none of them are outright independent states.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gerrit
Quote:
Originally Posted by Islander
Of course and its easier to get in/out of :)
The vatican is an outright independent state and in any case this is not required as Scotland and Wales. NI etc are not independent.Quote:
Originally Posted by mypost
MyPost, you need to re-research a bit man :D
- Vatican City is an independent sovereign state, not part of Rome at all ! They have an independent FA as well. FIFA and UEFA will soon officiallise their membership application.
- Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not already an active FIFA member. Where did you get that ?! The Northern Cipriot FA is not recognised because of political reasons, and for the same reasons their league cannot enter any clubs in the European competitions (this is why their league has not yet gained fully professional level)
- Monaco may have a professional club in the French league, they also have an independent FA and amateur league. And they're a sovereign state. No reason for UEFA to reject application, so the moment they ask affiliation they'll be allowed in.
- Tibet is part of China ?! Well, I'm sure any Tibetan will be very happy to read this. Tibet is OCCUPIED by China for the moment, which is a completely different situation. At least, this is how they see it. From the Chinese point of view Tibet is a Chinese region. Tibet does have its own FA (situated across the border in India, because it's not allowed under Chinese laws to represent Tibet as an independent state within the borders of PR China) and if not for political reasons Tibet would be FIFA member.
- FIFA let in Palestina as independent FIFA member. In that perspective they should also allow Tibet, Gibraltar and the Falklands to affiliate ; if you ignore political objections for one country you have to do it for them all, there's no reason why Palestina would be allowed an exception while Falklands can't (unless the Israeli FA had no objection to Palestina's affiliation)
Mostly because the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" is not a country. It's an occupied area of another country.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gerrit
I would go immediately, both for football and country. Sorry. I just want to travel the world, always been my big goal in life. If I would have to cut countries from the list because of a political issue, there wouldn't be much remaining as it's something rotten everywhere. TRNC has some great sceneries and towns and if I'd ever have the chance to see them I won't let it pass by because of some political thing.
TRNC's best club played a friendly versus a Greek professional club recently, not sure which Greek club but it was a top-divisionist playing around the 10th place. The Greeks won 6-1, which was expected as the Northern Cyprus clubs cannot gain international experience and have only semi-professionalism and no pro's. I asked someone from TRNC who people support, and apart from their own non-FIFA recognised national side most inhabitants support the Turkish national team. So it may be occupied territory, the locals do feel Turkish.
Rather than punishing the people and players of the occupied territory, it would make more sense to boycot the team of the occupiers. If you really want to mix politics and sports, then it would make more sense to refuse to play Turkey, as they're the "guilty" ones, not the people who happen to live in TR Northern Cyprus.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy
But the best thing is to try to build bridges and not let politics and sports mix.
The Cypriot border (especially through Nicosia with the UN) is such a great place to visit, standing on the border of an EU country,looking across with a few Turkish boys with AK47's aiming at you... Great craic altogether!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gerrit
You can't compare Gibraltar with Pleastine - They're on a different level :eek: I don't see why Gibraltar should play international games - they're not a "nation" - so they can't play against Us, France etc, obviously this can't be applied retrospectively, so Faroes, San Marino etc are free to continue. With parts of Moldova, Azerbarjan etc wanting to proclaim "proper independence" - "fake" countries like Guernsey or the Falklands certainly don't carry as much credence. :) :)
Vatican City is a state in it's purest technical form. I personally, don't recognise the Vatican as a sovereign state, but merely as an area of Rome. Rome is in Italy, it's in football terms, under the guise of the Italian FA. I think if The Vatican make an application to join FIFA, it should be rejected out-of-hand.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gerrit
TRC and GRC make up Cyprus. Nicosia, where Cyprus often play International games, is on the border of the two areas. Cyprus is a recognised member of UEFA, and FIFA. Case closed.Quote:
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is not already an active FIFA member. Where did you get that ?! The Northern Cipriot FA is not recognised because of political reasons, and for the same reasons their league cannot enter any clubs in the European competitions (this is why their league has not yet gained fully professional level)
Tibet is occupied by China, fair enough. Therefore, it comes under the auspices of the Chinese FA. China is a member of FIFA. If/when Tibet is an independent sovereign state, the situation can then be reviewed.Quote:
Tibet is part of China ?! Well, I'm sure any Tibetan will be very happy to read this. Tibet is OCCUPIED by China for the moment, which is a completely different situation. At least, this is how they see it. From the Chinese point of view Tibet is a Chinese region.
Look lads, if every region in the world applied for FIFA membership, there would be about 400 members. Where do you draw the line? Quebec, Lapland, Catalonia, the Basque country? :confused: These regions are not independent sovereign states, so any application for FIFA membership from them should be rejected, until the political situation in those regions changes to such an extent that their applications should be reviewed.