Originally Posted by
SuperDave
Bugger they do. Look at SuperSepp's 'Goal' program, designed to basically buy votes in Africa by providing the associations in those countries with buckets of cash. If the administrators in those countries misuse the funds then they are the crooks.
And the world cup was expanded to 32 teams to give Africa (6 teams, having had 2 teams in Italia 90) and Asia/Oceania (5 teams, again having had 2 teams in Italia 90) more places with ever decreasing places for europe (which had 14 of 24 places in Italia 90, 12 of the 24 places in USA 94, 15 of 32 in France, the same in Korea/Japan, 14 in Germany and 13 this time around, less than Italia 90!!!!). The chances of one of those asian or african teams actually winning a match let alone the tournament is pretty low but as long as they vote for Sepp everyone's a winner! [except, y'know, the european teams, who would probably beat any one of them hands down, who miss out]. European teams have made up 69 out of 120 teams in the last five world cups, yet made 6/10 finalists and 15/20 semi finalists, way above what averages suggest they should.
Africa and Asia have got a **** load from supporting Sepp Blatter and they've made one semi final appearance between them. One. Despite having the best part of a third of the teams for the last three tournaments.