NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmoral/articles/20060615.aspx
Anti-Americanism Has Reached A New Low

June 15, 2006: Anti-Americanism has reached a new low. FIFA, the international sports organization for football (soccer to Americans) refused to allow U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan (and warships at sea) to view any of the current World Cup games being played in Germany. The U.S. AFN (Armed Forces Network) has no budget for sports programming, and usually gets a free feed for major sporting events, in the same spirit that movie studios and TV networks provide free access to their product for troops in combat zones. FIFA demanded money, and would not budge on that. While soccer is not a major sport in the United States, it's estimated that a quarter or more of the troops are fans, and would enjoy seeing some of the World Cup matches. However, once this situation became known, several wealthy Americans stepped forward to correct the situation. The first one to make a move was media magnate Robert Murdoch, who ordered his Fox Network to make arrangements, and pay whatever FIFA was demanding, to get the soccer games to the troops, as soon as possible. This was accomplished in 24 hours.

Hmmmm...

Is FIFA greedy for asking for money for this?
Is this anti-US?
Or is FIFA just opersating under it's usual standard procedures?

Something tells me it's a bit of all of those...

Something tells me it's a bit of all of those...
Essentially it was the US Military asking an international organisation asking for free stuff in the spirit of "support our troops", wasn't it?

Why would FIFA agree? FIFA is against war, as far as I know. They're constantly busy sponsoring things supposed to rebuild countries that have been destroyed (like those SOS villages and so on).

But if you want to call that greed or anti-americanism, go right ahead. I'm not a fan of the FIFA bureaucracy anyways.

The USA is the champion of free markets across the world. Why would they complain about a business charging them for a service? There is nothing antiamerican about it, in fact I think it shows an embracing of what are considered to be some of the most dearly-held values in the USA.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmoral/articles/20060615.aspx


Hmmmm...

Is FIFA greedy for asking for money for this?
Is this anti-US?
Or is FIFA just opersating under it's usual standard procedures?

Something tells me it's a bit of all of those...
FIFA doesn't provide feeds. They sell the rights to a broadcaster, Infront, who in turn is the one that provides the feeds to whoever they want. AFN should ask either them or, better yet, ABC, who holds the broadcasting rights for the USA.

Why a foreign company should feel the need to provide a free service to the US armed forces and be considered anti-US for refusing to do so is beyond me.

I think it's the anti-worldists in the US that have reached a new low.

fuckin drunks........

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmoral/articles/20060615.aspx


Hmmmm...

Is FIFA greedy for asking for money for this?
Is this anti-US?
Or is FIFA just opersating under it's usual standard procedures?

Something tells me it's a bit of all of those...

It's their loss, I say. The U.S. is a new market that international soccer has only just begun to reach. A fairly large market. For them to ignore it is rather self-destructive and elitist of them, and all to probably make a point that has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with sport.

So to answer your questions, yes, yes, and I don't know.

FIFA sux ass.. I hate the FIFA.

GOD please send a tsunami to FIFA headquarters..
nuke them, do something..

BTW did I mention that I hate FIFA.

The USA is the champion of free markets across the world. Why would they complain about a business charging them for a service? There is nothing antiamerican about it, in fact I think it shows an embracing of what are considered to be some of the most dearly-held values in the USA.

'mmhm.

If the US wants to champion it's ideas of freedom and capitalism over the world, and then cry foul when it doesn't get free stuff...well....that stinks of hypocrisy.

What next, will the US attempt to create their own international football league in opposition to FIFA, or rename it Freedomball or something? :p

Anti-Americanism Has Reached A New Low

June 15, 2006: Anti-Americanism has reached a new low. FIFA, the international sports organization for football (soccer to Americans) refused to allow U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan (and warships at sea) to view any of the current World Cup games being played in Germany... they should give them the freebie they are begging for..

but they should give to BOTH to the US and Iraquis.

they should give them the freebie they are begging for..

Why?

Why?out of generosity.

these young Iraqui and US figthers may die soon..

Meh. I doubt soccer would be missed by too many.

Good for Murdoch either way, though.

Considering FIFA sold sole alcohol selling rights to Budwiser, I doubt you can call them anti-American. I call them greedy bastards but still. Charging your troops for the football does not make up for the horror of Budwiser your country unleased on the World Cup fans.

out of generosity.

Well hoo-rah.

Since when has the US got the right to expect anything out of generosity and then call it "anti-Americanism" when its expectations are denied?

It's like a spoilt little kid. "But I want a lollipop! It's not fair! Everyone else's parents buy them lollipops! I deserve a lollipop!"

Now, if the US weren't adopting a staunchly free market viewpoint, it wouldn't be as hypocritical of it to criticize what is obviously a private interest...The Coral Islands had it right on the money with post #2.

Or are Americans so exceptional as to warrant special treatment above all others, while everyone else is expected to abide by the values they enforce?


these young Iraqui and US figthers may die soon..

Yeah, and millions of others embroiled in violence worldwide too. I'm willing to bet that not many of them are getting free stuff from FIFA either.

Good for Murdoch.
My question is have they ever given it to them for free before?

Whichever USA TV network that bought the World Cup rights can supply it. I don't see why FIFA should supply it free to the USA military.

'mmhm.

If the US wants to champion it's ideas of freedom and capitalism over the world, and then cry foul when it doesn't get free stuff...well....that stinks of hypocrisy.



Looks like capitalists paid. Nothing more for you to cry foul over. Scuttle back of to socialism and the good life.

Whichever USA TV network that bought the World Cup rights can supply it. I don't see why FIFA should supply it free to the USA military.

Agreed about FIFA not needing to supply free feed..

Probably the network who bought rights for US broadcast didnt get the rights to broadcast in the middle east from FIFA however or they likely wouldve supplied the feed to the troops.

Why should FIFA be obliged to provide a free service to troops in a war many conisder highly questionable?

US want free soccer, why they do not invade FIFA with a nice clean(?) war?

FIFA anti-US? Sure but not only FIFA, gw bush too, he's doing exactly what's goo for an anti-US campaign, that's good for the USA.
Support the US killers, yes sure and the Russian mafia too and the Islamic Warlords in Somalia and me in my corrupt writings of the Scriptures...

Sometimes I believe they are lotta socialists in the USA, it would explain all the nice absurdities I read around.

By the way... I do not like football (soccer) am I US? Nay, in your dream... :D


The High Priest
- The priest who hates soccer -

This is FIFA being FIFA. Nothing more nothing less.

It is not anti-American...

You have to understand what kind of organisation FIFA is. It is international in scope and there for must be seen to be 'fair'. It does this (in this instance) by charging everyone for the TV rights.

Of course the fact that FIFA is corrupt to the core does not help matters either...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/5070224.stm

I watched the Panorama show and FIFA is doing itself no favours.

FIFA sux ass.. I hate the FIFA.

GOD please send a tsunami to FIFA headquarters..
nuke them, do something..

BTW did I mention that I hate FIFA.

A tsunami in Switzerland?--- You'd be better asking for an avalanche to hit the FIFA buildings. :D

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmoral/articles/20060615.aspx


Hmmmm...

Is FIFA greedy for asking for money for this?
Is this anti-US?
Or is FIFA just opersating under it's usual standard procedures?

Something tells me it's a bit of all of those...It's not anti-American. They're just being greedy. No one that doesn't pay them zounds of money is going to get anything for free. They're busy sueing anyone that infringes on their copyrights here in Germany, including the ping pong world cup.

What everyone else said. It's a company asking for money. This doesn't make it 'anti-American'.

Get over this persecution complex already. You're like a national emo. :rolleyes:

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmoral/articles/20060615.aspx


Hmmmm...

Is FIFA greedy for asking for money for this?
Is this anti-US?
Or is FIFA just opersating under it's usual standard procedures?

Something tells me it's a bit of all of those...

SOP.

AFN can pay up, just like everybody else.
Maybe Halliburton can feed the bill.

It's their loss, I say. The U.S. is a new market that international soccer has only just begun to reach. A fairly large market. For them to ignore it is rather self-destructive and elitist of them, and all to probably make a point that has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with sport.

So to answer your questions, yes, yes, and I don't know.

Hasnt it occured to you that most people dont want the USA to become interested in football because in the end you will end up ruining it, your already calling it 'soccer'

Why would an independant international organisation donate a free service to one side involved in conflict? They could not do so and maintain impartiality unless they also donated the service to all military forces around the world. This isn't anti US it is just common sense.

Looks like capitalists paid. Nothing more for you to cry foul over. Scuttle back of to socialism and the good life.

Me crying foul? I'm not calling FIFA anti-American?

(And I have no socialism to scuttle back to, i'm afraid, so I can't help you there.)

Do any US stations even broadcast the world cup? I mean, non-satellite ones.

Fifa don't just give shit out for free because you feel you're off fighting this rightous war. Everyone else has to pay through their ass for broadcast rights (It's not on the radio here because radio sport, the only sport station in the country can't afford it) so why shouldn't the US forces overseas?

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmoral/articles/20060615.aspx


Hmmmm...

Is FIFA greedy for asking for money for this?
Is this anti-US?
Or is FIFA just opersating under it's usual standard procedures?

Something tells me it's a bit of all of those...

I have to say all 3. Shame on FIFA for placing money ahead of entertainment.

It can't be all three because 2 and 3 are pretty much contradictions.
Oh no, they are greedy for insisting US troops pay for their services instead of just giving them over for free, despite the fact they arn't a US corporation and soccer is barely a back alley level popular sport in America.

Shame on FIFA for placing money ahead of entertainment.
http://www.schildersmilies.de/noschild/laughoutloud.gif

I wish I was still putting things in my signature....

I have to say all 3. Shame on FIFA for placing money ahead of entertainment.Yeah, how un-American.

Hmmmm...

Is FIFA greedy for asking for money for this?
Is this anti-US?
Or is FIFA just opersating under it's usual standard procedures?

Something tells me it's a bit of all of those...

Standard procedure. Why it should be free for the soldiers over there?, Because they are invading another country? (even as the invasion is justified, but meh).

It is not anti-US, I am pretty sure the FIFA didn't broadcast for the australian and portuguese soldiers deployed in Timor.

Murdoch can pay for the US soldiers too, so what's the problem?

Do the MLB give a free feed of their rounders tournaments to European armies?

Do the MLB give a free feed of their rounders tournaments to European armies?

Good point, I think the aemricans are being extra-sensitive over this

Do the MLB give a free feed of their rounders tournaments to European armies?

Is baseball that popular in Europe?

Is baseball that popular in Europe?

Is football that popular in the USA?

I think they can manage to serve under their banner without watching the matchs. Plus, that won't distract them from their rightful struggle against the resistance.

Is baseball that popular in Europe?
Is baseball that popular? :p

FIFA is being merciful to the US. They're preventing them from seeing the US team lose all (or at least most) of their games.

Is baseball that popular? :p
of course! with a name like the World Series how could it not be.

Is baseball that popular in Europe?
Probably as much as soccer is.

Is football that popular in the USA?

Football has some of the top ratings in America :D

Oh your talking soccer. It is becoming popular in America.

I think they can manage to serve under their banner without watching the matchs. Plus, that won't distract them from their rightful struggle against the resistance.

Even soldiers take breaks once in awhile Aelosia :rolleyes:

I'm sure the cost of one of the large bombs they drop would have covered the license fee for the games (and saved a few innocent lives as well)

Essentially it was the US Military asking an international organisation for free stuff in the spirit of "support our troops", wasn't it?Quoted for goddamn truth. Calling this anti-American is beyond ignorant.

Football has some of the top ratings in America :D

Oh your talking soccer. It is becoming popular in America.



FOOTBALL!

I don't know. Whilst FIFA have many faults, Sebb Blatter per-eminent amongst them, I have never known them to be avaricious. It could simply be standard policy, however I don't know that for certain, or they could be making a political point.

FOOTBALL!

SOCCER

Considering the World Number 5's 3-0 loss to the World Number 2, I'm surprised they want to watch...

They'll be out first round, how can you expect the Yanks to compete with the Czechs and the Italians?

(Interesting note, that the Italians are currently 13th in the world. The Yanks are equal 5th with the Spaniards and the Czechs are according to the ranking system 2nd. Of course, the Mexicans are 3rd, so is it really accurate?)

Sure Ghana may not be in that top rung either, but I think the Africans will be able to give the Stars and Stripes a challenge.

The Aussies on the other hand...

According to the USA Coach stated that 'Australia are there to make up the numbers', of course Australia is at the top of a group with a good team from Europe being Croatia, the best in Asia being Japan and the best in South America and the World being Brazil.

SOCCER

Damn.....

FIFA; no soccer there
FA; no osccer there
MUFC; no soccer there either
NUFC; nope, none again

Soccer is only used in the USA. However, given that you didn;t actualy invent the sport, I rather find it hard to take your argument overly seriously.

SOCCER

FOOTBALL!

Do any US stations even broadcast the world cup? I mean, non-satellite ones.
I think it might be on ESPN. But I think it also got beat by women's softball on ESPN 2. Which incidentally I now get in HD. The masses are appearently clamoring for obscure sporting events in HD. That way when ESPN is airing dead-air in the form of the World Cup people can watch competitive Gay Midget Oil Macrame the way it was ment to be seen.

Damn.....

FIFA; no soccer there
FA; no osccer there
MUFC; no soccer there either
NUFC; nope, none again

Soccer is only used in the USA. However, given that you didn;t actualy invent the sport, I rather find it hard to take your argument overly seriously.

Good don't take it seriously because I wasn't being serious :D

FOOTBALL!

SOCCER!! :p

I think it might be on ESPN. But I think it also got beat by women's softball on ESPN 2. Which incidentally I now get in HD. The masses are appearently clamoring for obscure sporting events in HD. That way when ESPN is airing dead-air in the form of the World Cup people can watch competitive Gay Midget Oil Macrame the way it was ment to be seen.

ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNHD, ESPN2HD

Soccer...

Not just America, Australia too...

:upyours:

FIFA: Fédération Internationale de Football Association. So it's football. End of.

Is this a normal proceedure, trying to shame foreign companies into coughing up free stuff to 'support the troops'? Does it work on defence contractors as well? You could save yourself a lot of money that way.

SOCCER
It is interesting that the only nations that use the term soccer are nations where another type of football is prevalent, eg, USA, Australia. There are in fact 7 types of football.

American Football
Australian Football
Canadian Football
Gaelic Football
Rugby Football League
Rugby Football Union
Association Football

The correct term is Association Football, but as this type of football is by far the most popular through the world, it is generally shortened to just football. In the USA the term "football" refers to American football, in the same way that the term refers to Australian Rules in Oz and Gaelic in Ireland.

Out of interest is the term soccer used in Ireland?

Cheers for Footy.

Soccer...

Not just America, Australia too...

:upyours:

And what do you play? A unique form of Rugby that pretty much constitutes an excuse for a fight?

And what do you play? A unique form of Rugby that pretty much constitutes an excuse for a fight?

Mate, if you wanna take this outside...

Aussie Rules is competition in its purest form.

Where you from anyway?

Mate, if you wanna take this outside...

Aussie Rules is competition in its purest form.

Where you from anyway?

He's from the UK.

Though I do appreciate the 'unique' comment.

Pom...

And what do you play? A unique form of Rugby that pretty much constitutes an excuse for a fight?

It actually has almost nothing in common with Rugby. It's certainly unique though.

Mate, if you wanna take this outside...

Aussie Rules is competition in its purest form.

Where you from anyway?

I like the game, at least its entertaining, I just wonder where the football is involved.....

Pom...

convict....

convict....

Shall we call the State of Georgia convicts too since that colony was also founded as a prison colony.

Shall we call the State of Georgia convicts too since that colony was also founded as a prison colony.

you've never seen Aussie/ English banter before have you?

Damn.....

FIFA; no soccer there
FA; no osccer there
MUFC; no soccer there either
NUFC; nope, none again


Well actually it is sort of in the first two seeing how Soccer is derived from the abbreviation of association, "assoc."

Meh. Its still only a colloqialism.

you've never seen Aussie/ English banter before have you?

Me. almost the same as english/america banter :D

Don't matter to me :p

Me. almost the same as english/america banter :D

Don't matter to me :p

You see:)

On our side its just because they beat us, at everything, all the time.

You see:)

On our side its just because they beat us, at everything, all the time.

Even in Soccer?

Even in Soccer?

They're the only commonwealth team to have beaten us. It was a fluke though.

They're the only commonwealth team to have beaten us. It was a fluke though.

LOL!

LOL!

It was embarressing:(

Technically it isn't FIFA who get the money for giving access to football games on the television (well they do, but indirectly). It is a committee (made up of a representative from every country taking part in the World Cup) that decides who the sponsors should be and which television channels are to be given coverage space at the games.

If the troops want to watch it, almost every country in the world has a local TV station that will be showing it. When I was in the army, we just tuned into the local television stations and half the time they had whatever it was we were looking for.

Technically it isn't FIFA who get the money for giving access to football games on the television (well they do, but indirectly). It is a committee (made up of a representative from every country taking part in the World Cup) that decides who the sponsors should be and which television channels are to be given coverage space at the games.

If the troops want to watch it, almost every country in the world has a local TV station that will be showing it. When I was in the army, we just tuned into the local television stations and half the time they had whatever it was we were looking for.

What about those on a naval vessel?

It was embarressing:(


You had rugby for a little while there too. Lost it again. Enjoy your last year with the cup, I doubt you'll ever see it again :p

What about those on a naval vessel?
I'm sure one of those antennae pick up whatever spectrum tv stations are on.

I'm sure one of those antennae pick up whatever spectrum tv stations are on.

Stealing cable is illegal :D

Stealing cable is illegal :D
Not open airwaves unless bunny ears are now illegal :rolleyes:

Not open airwaves unless bunny ears are now illegal :rolleyes:

Oh brother. I see you missed the joke. Alwell.

You had rugby for a little while there too. Lost it again. Enjoy your last year with the cup, I doubt you'll ever see it again :p


We'll get the cup back at some point. We won't win it in 2007 but we'll have a good chance in 2011 if Andy Robinson isn't the coach.

Oh brother. I see you missed the joke. Alwell.
Then the joke was stupid to begin with.

Then the joke was stupid to begin with.

I see you never seen the "stealing cable is illegal" commercials have you?

Seems like more american whining to me.

You had rugby for a little while there too. Lost it again. Enjoy your last year with the cup, I doubt you'll ever see it again :p
The All Blacks have peaked too soon (AGAIN), OZ have aging backs and no forwards, SA are just, well they always Fuck Up somehow, just like NZ. And the less said about italy and Wales the better. Scotland can't attack.

So basically it's between England, ireland and Fracne for the cup. I'd bet ireland or France.

England could have a very, very good team if AR would pick it. We have the possibility of the best forwards in the world and s trong back devision as well:

RWC 2007:

Seridan
mears/Chunter
Stevens
Kay
Borthwick
Moody
Lund
Sanderson

Ellis
Wilkinson/Hodgeson/Lamb

Varnell
Abbot/Smith
Tait/Noon
Cueto
Lewsey

Why would an independant international organisation donate a free service to one side involved in conflict?.Thats why.. If they give it to the Imperial forces..
they should give it to the Rebels (Freedom Figthers) too. ;)

The All Blacks have peaked too soon (AGAIN), OZ have aging backs and no forwards, SA are just, well they always Fuck Up somehow, just like NZ. And the less said about italy and Wales the better. Scotland can't attack.

So basically it's between England, ireland and Fracne for the cup. I'd bet ireland or France.



New Zealand haven't even put a proper team together yet. We have two seperate squads for the Irish and Argentina games.

Spoiled brats, FIFA won't give you free stuff because:

a) It has no obligation to.
b) The US was supposed to fight for FREE MARKET VALUES.
c) The soldier-wannabes that demand free stuff are acting like spoiled children.
d) The war was fought under false pretenses.
e) You don't reward criminal invasions.

Spoiled brats, you're demanding free stuff because:

a) You're morons.
b) You're bullies.
c) You think the world owes you something for slaughtering thousands of Iraqis.
d) You want to find yet someone else to slander as anti-US.
e) You're morons.

However, if you DO want to watch the games, I'll be more than happy to inform you of the humiliation the USA team suffered at the hands of the Czechs, and to inform you about the impending doom against Italy and Ghana as well. Quite frankly, you should be THANKING FIFA for not allowing you to see how utterly and completely bad at football your team is. Trinidad Tobago would beat it. Togo would beat it. Angola would beat it, and easily. And Brazil would even make it feel good.

Now, if you want to demand free stuff, go demand it from your mothers, it was probably they that spoiled you anyways, so she'll give in even if it's to eat her kidney.

Wow, that seemed rather mean spirited.

Oh, by the way, next time, find a FUCKING UNBIASED SOURCE!

Wow, that seemed rather mean spirited.

A very natural reaction considering the "give us free stuff or we'll libel you" ideas of the thread starter, that remind me of a bum trying to mug somebody.

Chill out man, you're gonna get an ulcer.

But I wonder, does the NFL offer free viewing of its games to Russian soldiers fighting insurgency in Chechnya?

Or to UN troops doing peace-keeping missions around the globe?

Or to Sri-Lankan government troops who are dealing with a shaky cease-fire?

Chill out man, you're gonna get an ulcer.

Oh, I am chilled, don't get me wrong. I'm calm, here, but my messages will seem violent when the thread starter is so horribly, retarded-onions-would-notice-this-mistake, wrong.

these young Iraqui and US figthers may die soon..

So what?

Well, I'll go to bed. Others, please deal with the mugger-wannabes that are demanding free broadcasting...

I want free broadcasting. You know how much my cable bill is?

Wow, that seemed rather mean spirited.
No more mean spirited than murdering tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians: I hope Bush (and his lickspittle poodle Blair) both burn in their own personal Hells.

Hmmmm...

Is FIFA greedy for asking for money for this?
Is this anti-US?
Or is FIFA just opersating under it's usual standard procedures?

Something tells me it's a bit of all of those...

Take a moment to consider what it looks like from Fifa's point of view.

IF they let the US soldiers watch the game for free, it can be considered to be a statement that they support their actions. Does FIFA want that ?
Well.. lets see.. does an organisation that claims it wishes to promote universal peace and brotherhood through sport wish to support a war under false pretenses where the soldiers repeatedly are reported to be acting in a not-so-decent way ?

Gee. No. Go figure. Before you know it every single warzone on earth will want free viewing.

Well give me some free broadcasting! I don't support war. In fact I'm not killing anyone (that I know of), and I'm just sitting home trying to sober up.

Gimmie free stuff!

New Zealand haven't even put a proper team together yet. We have two seperate squads for the Irish and Argentina games.
I'm looking at history here. And your main team is playing Ireland isn;'t it. That said you do have scarly good strength in depth in all positions except for OC, Nonu just dosn't cut it.

You had rugby for a little while there too. Lost it again. Enjoy your last year with the cup, I doubt you'll ever see it again :p

The memory of the expression on the face of the Australian Prime Minister when he awarded the medals and trophy to the English team in Australia will stay with me long after the time the rest of my faculties desert me :)

I also enjoyed the Australians "pommy bashing" in newsprint before the game, and the embarrased mumbling after :)

More to the point. Why should FIFA give "rights" away for free? It´s not an American organisation, so why should it support American forces, most of whom could give a rats arse about the game anyway.

It is interesting that the only nations that use the term soccer are nations where another type of football is prevalent, eg, USA, Australia. There are in fact 7 types of football.

American Football
Australian Football
Canadian Football
Gaelic Football
Rugby Football League
Rugby Football Union
Association Football

The correct term is Association Football, but as this type of football is by far the most popular through the world, it is generally shortened to just football. In the USA the term "football" refers to American football, in the same way that the term refers to Australian Rules in Oz and Gaelic in Ireland.

Out of interest is the term soccer used in Ireland?

Canadian football, really?

In Ireland football is Gaelic Football (real football) and soccer is that namby pamby one where the rules say you can't do stuff and they all cheat and pretend they didn't.

I think wherever you go football is the game which the person supports and [insert formal name] is the 'other' type which they don't support,

I'm looking at history here. And your main team is playing Ireland isn;'t it. That said you do have scarly good strength in depth in all positions except for OC, Nonu just dosn't cut it.

He's warming the jersey while Conrad Smith's leg heals. There are about 6-7 players in the team that played Ireland tonight that aren't 'first choice'.

Out of interest is the term soccer used in Ireland?

not really, only by militant bogmen

well, the real question is, are any European Countries Military getting free broadcast without compensation.

if not, then no, it was generous of Fox Networks owner to do this but FIFA isn't anti anything.

if so, then.... it's what ever you make of it.

The All Blacks have peaked too soon (AGAIN), OZ have aging backs and no forwards, SA are just, well they always Fuck Up somehow, just like NZ. And the less said about italy and Wales the better. Scotland can't attack.

So basically it's between England, ireland and Fracne for the cup. I'd bet ireland or France.

England could have a very, very good team if AR would pick it. We have the possibility of the best forwards in the world and s trong back devision as well:

RWC 2007:

Seridan
mears/Chunter
Stevens
Kay
Borthwick
Moody
Lund
Sanderson

Ellis
Wilkinson/Hodgeson/Lamb

Varnell
Abbot/Smith
Tait/Noon
Cueto
Lewsey

It would still be mashed by Ireland, again:(

It would still be mashed by Ireland, again:(
Like today. :(

In Ireland football is Gaelic Football (real football) and soccer is that namby pamby one where the rules say you can't do stuff and they all cheat and pretend they didn't.


actually i believe Gaelic Football is called Gaelic here or GAA rather than football. Association Football is football here not soccer, and you would probably be made fun of if you said soccer.

actually i believe Gaelic Football is called Gaelic here or GAA rather than football. Association Football is football here not soccer, and you would probably be made fun of if you said soccer.

Actually you are wrong. Football is Gaelic football and soccer is the english one. How long have you been visiting Ireland for? You can't confuse a small village in Limerick with the whole country.

its opposition to the war.

Thank you, FIFA.

Why should FIFA be nice to the US military? FIFA is not USian - they don't, and shouldn't, give a crap about "supporting" USian troops. So, good on them for not giving those cheap bastards anything for free. You want it? Pay for it, like everyone else.

Actually you are wrong. Football is Gaelic football and soccer is the english one. How long have you been visiting Ireland for? You can't confuse a small village in Limerick with the whole country.

my bollix it is. down in the sticks maybe, but in any town of more than 3 football is football and Gaelic is Gaelic.

Spoiled brats, FIFA won't give you free stuff because:

a) It has no obligation to.
b) The US was supposed to fight for FREE MARKET VALUES.
c) The soldier-wannabes that demand free stuff are acting like spoiled children.
d) The war was fought under false pretenses.
e) You don't reward criminal invasions.

Spoiled brats, you're demanding free stuff because:

a) You're morons.
b) You're bullies.
c) You think the world owes you something for slaughtering thousands of Iraqis.
d) You want to find yet someone else to slander as anti-US.
e) You're morons.

However, if you DO want to watch the games, I'll be more than happy to inform you of the humiliation the USA team suffered at the hands of the Czechs, and to inform you about the impending doom against Italy and Ghana as well. Quite frankly, you should be THANKING FIFA for not allowing you to see how utterly and completely bad at football your team is. Trinidad Tobago would beat it. Togo would beat it. Angola would beat it, and easily. And Brazil would even make it feel good.

Now, if you want to demand free stuff, go demand it from your mothers, it was probably they that spoiled you anyways, so she'll give in even if it's to eat her kidney.

Hear, hear!

my bollix it is. down in the sticks maybe, but in any town of more than 3 football is football and Gaelic is Gaelic.

Your bollocks or not. You can't confuse your village of four people with the whole country. Football is GAA football, soccer is that english game. I can tell from your attitude that you are one of those Manchester United supporters and as we all know what that means, let's just leave it.

Your bollocks or not. You can't confuse your village of four people with the whole country. Football is GAA football, soccer is that english game. I can tell from your attitude that you are one of those Manchester United supporters and as we all know what that means, let's just leave it.

yeah lets, i follow football i must be a west brit. whats my country name FFS.

my village of 4? Dublin? only 1,499,996 or so out.

Actually you are wrong. Football is Gaelic football and soccer is the english one. How long have you been visiting Ireland for? You can't confuse a small village in Limerick with the whole country.

i've been living here since i was born... so thats 18 years. and i wouldn't call Limerick City a small village... i mean, its the 4th biggest in the Republic.

Gaelic is Gaelic, GAA is Gaelic, Football is Football not just the English one, but the world one.

might i ask where you live?

i've been living here since i was born... so thats 18 years. and i wouldn't call Limerick City a small village... i mean, its the 4th biggest in the Republic.

Gaelic is Gaelic, GAA is Gaelic, Football is Football not just the English one, but the world one.

might i ask where you live?

ignore him, he is one of those chip on the shoulder hang saaanwich ateing culchies who wants to burn the ports and distrusts any irish man who eats foreign foods or watchs 'the foreign games'.

he genuinly believes you are less irish if you watch football. even though he loves seeing celtic fuck the huns.

a spud shagger

Pfft, if FIFA wanted to garner US football fans it wouldn't bother giving a feed free to the AFN, it'd just host the next world cup in the US with a few matches in Canada and maybe Mexico. It'd work a charm, just like it did in Japan and South Korea. There are now hordes of actual football fans in Asia, rather than just hordes of Beckham fans.

You americans and your little worldseries and superbowls. When will you learn the sheer power of the world cup. I remember a figure from a while back - the world cup in Germany is expected to reach 4 billion people, with viewing figure totals coming to about 30 billion, and 2002 final reaching 1.1 billion people alone. Americans sports have no chance of standing up to the might that is football. :eek:

spud shagger? ROTFL

I never heard that one before :)

i'm not seeing the problem, FIFA charges every country for viewing rights and feeds...it's how they pay for all the resources etc etc

but how can you call it anti american?... it's free marketering!

I mean we're talking about a country that has sporting 'world series' events...where all the entrants are from the US...

statistics reveal that most Americans aren't even aware when the world cup is taking place, so what's the problem if you don't see the games? with only 10% of american citizens having an international passport you tend to forget there's a whole other side of the globe...well, until money's involved.

ignore him, he is one of those chip on the shoulder hang saaanwich ateing culchies who wants to burn the ports and distrusts any irish man who eats foreign foods or watchs 'the foreign games'.

he genuinly believes you are less irish if you watch football. even though he loves seeing celtic fuck the huns.

a spud shagger

i'm really gonna enjoy the look on the face of people like him when we take over Croke Park. that'll be good actually. it is a magnificent stadium

Pfft, if FIFA wanted to garner US football fans it wouldn't bother giving a feed free to the AFN, it'd just host the next world cup in the US with a few matches in Canada and maybe Mexico. It'd work a charm, just like it did in Japan and South Korea. There are now hordes of actual football fans in Asia, rather than just hordes of Beckham fans.

You americans and your little worldseries and superbowls. When will you learn the sheer power of the world cup. I remember a figure from a while back - the world cup in Germany is expected to reach 4 billion people, with viewing figure totals coming to about 30 billion, and 2002 final reaching 1.1 billion people alone. Americans sports have no chance of standing up to the might that is football. :eek:

FIFA tried that 3 World Cups ago. Most Americans were either totally indifferent, or didn't know what the World Cup was and that it was being held in the USA.

Hear, hear!

i second that!

FIFA tried that 3 World Cups ago. Most Americans were either totally indifferent, or didn't know what the World Cup was and that it was being held in the USA.

And yet, the crowds were still going nuts for team USA. After 2002, it has once again become popular.

If we can beat Italy and get out of the group stage, it'll rise again as well.

well, the real question is, are any European Countries Military getting free broadcast without compensation.

if not, then no, it was generous of Fox Networks owner to do this but FIFA isn't anti anything.

if so, then.... it's what ever you make of it.
The Germans in Afghanistan and Usbekistan get to see the WC live because the Bundeswehr and its Bundeswehr TV (bwtv) made an arrangement with the public TV stations in Germany and were allowed to relate the signals.

If the US Armed Forces want a freebie - don't ask FIFA, ask those who supply the feed in the US!

http://www.fifawm2006.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/streitkraeftebasis/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLt4j3NvADSYGYJm7B-pEwsaCUVH1fj_zcVH1v_QD9gtyIckdHRUUAfVCRnw!!/delta/base64xml/L0lKWWttUSEhL3dITUFDc0FJVUFOby80SUVhREFBIS9lbg!!?yw_contentURL=%2F01DB041100000001%2FW26QJKHQ417INFO EN%2Fcontent.jsp

http://www.fifawm2006.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/streitkraeftebasis/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLt4j3NvADSYGYJm7B-pEwMV-P_NxU_aDUPH1v_QD9gtyIckdHRUUAJ60VRQ!!/delta/base64xml/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS80SVVFLzZfOF9NTDY!?yw_contentURL=%2F01DB041100000001%2FW26QJJJM470INFOEN%2Fcontent.jsp

Oh yeah, this goes out to the OP: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Foul.gif

FIFA tried that 3 World Cups ago. Most Americans were either totally indifferent, or didn't know what the World Cup was and that it was being held in the USA.


i knew it had been held in the US!...thankyou, I thought that had happened but wasn't entirely sure...it confused them because it had the word ''world'' in the title and actually had people from other countries participating!

FIFA tried that 3 World Cups ago. Most Americans were either totally indifferent, or didn't know what the World Cup was and that it was being held in the USA.Really... shows you just how much attention I really give to football anyway... c.c

You americans and your little worldseries and superbowls. When will you learn the sheer power of the world cup. I remember a figure from a while back - the world cup in Germany is expected to reach 4 billion people, with viewing figure totals coming to about 30 billion, and 2002 final reaching 1.1 billion people alone. Americans sports have no chance of standing up to the might that is football. :eek:
Those numbers are absolutely mind boggling. It really puts into perspective the 100,000 or so troops, or whatever fraction of them are actually interested in the world cup, wanting to be treated differently from the other 3,999,900,000 people actually paying for their coverage.

Hear, hear!

i second that!i second that!

Thank you guys, but the thread starter's lack-of-a-point was so utterly and humiliatingly laughable that it was an easy job...

Those numbers are absolutely mind boggling. It really puts into perspective the 100,000 or so troops, or whatever fraction of them are actually interested in the world cup, wanting to be treated differently from the other 3,999,900,000 people actually paying for their coverage.I have no idea where you're going with that.

Do you mean that FIFA should just hand over the live feed and stop being greedy (as it won't affect their profits much) OR that everyone else is paying, so why should american troops expect to be treated differently? :confused:

I have no idea where you're going with that.

Do you mean that FIFA should just hand over the live feed and stop being greedy (as it won't affect their profits much) OR that everyone else is paying, so why should american troops expect to be treated differently? :confused:

I think it's the second.

I have no idea where you're going with that.

Do you mean that FIFA should just hand over the live feed and stop being greedy (as it won't affect their profits much) OR that everyone else is paying, so why should american troops expect to be treated differently? :confused:
The latter. The former wouldn't make any sense because it couldn't stop with US troops, the British Forces Broadcasting Service would wonder why they were paying wodges of taxpayers' money to get the same coverage in Iraq the US forces don't want to pay for, and of course it would spread from there. No I was highlighting how much of a small fish the US troops are in the scheme of things, as opposed to their relationships with their homegrown sports coverage.

That whole site of the article seems biased in favor of the US military. But it's just absurd of a few soldiers fighting what they call 'for a good cause' to demand other people grant them freebies. Even if those people have no benefit if this 'good fight' themselves. FIFA isn't greedy, it isn't anti-American (not because of this incident anyway), but business is business. If some self-absorbed sergeant says others must pay tribute to the Holy American Army, I'd say sell your guns and give FIFA something free before expecting anything back. If you see no point in doing that you understand FIFA sees no point in letting you watch a game you can't even mention by its proper name for free either.

Another question concerning the headline of that article:

"Anti-Americanism Has Reached A New Low"

Is it only me (and my understanding of English) or shouldn't it read "Anti-Americanism has reached a new high"?
Because if Anti-Americanism is low, doesn't that mean it's not really there?

Another question concerning the headline of that article:

"Anti-Americanism Has Reached A New Low"

Is it only me (and my understanding of English) or shouldn't it read "Anti-Americanism has reached a new high"?
Because if Anti-Americanism is low, doesn't that mean it's not really there?

It could mean a new "ethics" low, but I like your interpretation better. :D

Anti US because they apply the same rules to everyone else? I don't see how.

What a bunch of bullshit. Just because they think they're God's gift to mankind they shouldn't have to pay like everyone else? And anti-American sentiment? They're just a bunch of pussies who can't stand any criticism.

It could mean a new "ethics" low, but I like your interpretation better. :D
Huh. I would've understood "Pro-Americanism has reached a new low". Meh, not that I really care, but those nuances are sometimes hard to understand for someone whose mothertongue is not English.

Considering FIFA sold sole alcohol selling rights to Budwiser, I doubt you can call them anti-American. I call them greedy bastards but still. Charging your troops for the football does not make up for the horror of Budwiser your country unleased on the World Cup fans.
Actually, supporting love in a small boat beer could be considered anti-human.

Another question concerning the headline of that article:

"Anti-Americanism Has Reached A New Low"

Is it only me (and my understanding of English) or shouldn't it read "Anti-Americanism has reached a new high"?
Because if Anti-Americanism is low, doesn't that mean it's not really there?It's bad grammar, period. It's a case of something like a double negative that can't be resolved.

I guess the sentence would be alright if it read -
"Anti-Americanism Has Sunk To A New Low"
The 'sunk' implying that what has happened is bad. Whereas as 'reached' is more positive, but tends to neutrality.

Everyone knows that if it weren't fopr the US qualifying for the World Cup, FIFA wouldn't have made nearly the amount of money from the event... think about how many countries watch the US team in hopes they get beat... think about the number of networks that would not have cared to carry the feed in the US hadn't the US team made it.... FIFA is definitely anti-US.

fifa bleh!:mad:

And more money would imply more rights and privileges? I'm sorry but FIFA is not the UN.

Besides... American investments would happen even if the US had not qualified. Most interest in the world cup in the states come from the immigrant population who follow their own nation. The market is still there.

Everyone knows that if it weren't fopr the US qualifying for the World Cup, FIFA wouldn't have made nearly the amount of money from the event... think about how many countries watch the US team in hopes they get beat... think about the number of networks that would not have cared to carry the feed in the US hadn't the US team made it.... FIFA is definitely anti-US.

fifa bleh!:mad:

The income for FIFA from the USA is negligable compared to the income from elsewhere. The number of networks that would not have carried it if the USA hadn't qualified that are carrying it now: 1. ABC.

How about ABC supplies the images free to the US Armed services. they can if they want to.

Everyone knows that if it weren't fopr the US qualifying for the World Cup, FIFA wouldn't have made nearly the amount of money from the event... think about how many countries watch the US team in hopes they get beat... think about the number of networks that would not have cared to carry the feed in the US hadn't the US team made it.... FIFA is definitely anti-US.

fifa bleh!:mad:

Lest I have to beat the crap out of you in the argument, you're being sarcastic, right?

Everyone knows that if it weren't fopr the US qualifying for the World Cup, FIFA wouldn't have made nearly the amount of money from the event... think about how many countries watch the US team in hopes they get beat... think about the number of networks that would not have cared to carry the feed in the US hadn't the US team made it.... FIFA is definitely anti-US.

fifa bleh!:mad:

get over yourself ffs. its engerland we all want to see lose.

no-one gives two fucks about the US footie team, you arent on the radar

get over yourself ffs. its engerland we all want to see lose.

no-one gives two fucks about the US footie team, you arent on the radar

Hear


Hear

I also tune in to see how far Ireland gets though...

Which is why I'm not watching it this year....

Hear


Hear

I also tune in to see how far Ireland gets though...

Which is why I'm not watching it this year....

unfortunatly we are shit at the moment. some good prospects coming through

drew twice with isreal and failed to beat the swiss. not good enough.

i've been living here since i was born... so thats 18 years. and i wouldn't call Limerick City a small village... i mean, its the 4th biggest in the Republic.

Gaelic is Gaelic, GAA is Gaelic, Football is Football not just the English one, but the world one.

might i ask where you live?

I'm from Rathfarnham in Dublin.

ignore him, he is one of those chip on the shoulder hang saaanwich ateing culchies who wants to burn the ports and distrusts any irish man who eats foreign foods or watchs 'the foreign games'.

he genuinly believes you are less irish if you watch football. even though he loves seeing celtic fuck the huns.

a spud shagger

Look just because you're upset don't go insulting your betters. You really don't know a thing about me, and your extreme sulkiness when corrected is childish.

I would say you're not only a Man U fan but a wannabe chav too. Greasy ceasar cut, Argos gold bling and a sovreign ring inherited from your (possible) Dah. I didn't insult you but you tried to annoy me for some reason.

To explain for those of the English persuasion, SR is Ali G but wanting to be a chav rather than a windy.

unfortunatly we are shit at the moment. some good prospects coming through

drew twice with isreal and failed to beat the swiss. not good enough.

That said, I do live in the North, and we beat England. Ahhhh the alcohol we consumed....

Hmmmm, an odd thought just popped into my head: who would I support if the South played the North....

I'd prolly go for the South in the end. That team isn't controlled by death threats. Often that is.

Everyone knows that if it weren't fopr the US qualifying for the World Cup, FIFA wouldn't have made nearly the amount of money from the event... think about how many countries watch the US team in hopes they get beat... think about the number of networks that would not have cared to carry the feed in the US hadn't the US team made it.... FIFA is definitely anti-US.

fifa bleh!:mad:

The main feeling most people have for Americans is pity.

I'm from Rathfarnham in Dublin.



Look just because you're upset don't go insulting your betters. You really don't know a thing about me, and your extreme sulkiness when corrected is childish.

I would say you're not only a Man U fan but a wannabe chav too. Greasy ceasar cut, Argos gold bling and a sovreign ring inherited from your (possible) Dah. I didn't insult you but you tried to annoy me for some reason.

To explain for those of the English persuasion, SR is Ali G but wanting to be a chav rather than a windy.
I love how you whine about insults and then flame right back -_-

What am I meant to do?

What am I meant to do?

Go shag some spuds i suppose...

Never eat bubble and squeak in Dublin is all I'm saying.

YAY! Yet an other thread destroyed by the irish!

The Germans in Afghanistan and Usbekistan get to see the WC live because the Bundeswehr and its Bundeswehr TV (bwtv) made an arrangement with the public TV stations in Germany and were allowed to relate the signals.

If the US Armed Forces want a freebie - don't ask FIFA, ask those who supply the feed in the US!

http://www.fifawm2006.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/streitkraeftebasis/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLt4j3NvADSYGYJm7B-pEwsaCUVH1fj_zcVH1v_QD9gtyIckdHRUUAfVCRnw!!/delta/base64xml/L0lKWWttUSEhL3dITUFDc0FJVUFOby80SUVhREFBIS9lbg!!?yw_contentURL=%2F01DB041100000001%2FW26QJKHQ417INFO EN%2Fcontent.jsp

http://www.fifawm2006.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/streitkraeftebasis/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLt4j3NvADSYGYJm7B-pEwMV-P_NxU_aDUPH1v_QD9gtyIckdHRUUAJ60VRQ!!/delta/base64xml/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS80SVVFLzZfOF9NTDY!?yw_contentURL=%2F01DB041100000001%2FW26QJJJM470INFOEN%2Fcontent.jsp

Oh yeah, this goes out to the OP: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Foul.gifwhich, again, points to the facts only reporting that today's media is well known for. [/sarcasm] :rolleyes:

Well simple question needs simple answer:

No, FIFA is not greedy. It has NEVER released any material for free. Some stupid war full of stupid volunter idiots ain't going to change anything. And thats good.

Well simple question needs simple answer:

No, FIFA is not greedy. It has NEVER released any material for free. Some stupid war full of stupid volunter idiots ain't going to change anything. And thats good.

While yours is an effective way of saying it, I like my more roundabout, scenic way. :D

I'm from Rathfarnham in Dublin.

.


so am i!?!?!

you boden? or kilmacud filth?

YAY! Yet an other thread destroyed by the irish!

and least we arent blowing things up anymore, be thankful for that.

Butterfield Close to be specific. Fancy meeting you here amongst the forin devils. I'm having a bit of a bonfire by the docks next weekend, head along for the crack, we've got effigies and chocolate covered kimberleys.

Butterfield Close to be specific. Fancy meeting you here amongst the forin devils. I'm having a bit of a bonfire by the docks next weekend, head along for the crack, we've got effigies and chocolate covered kimberleys.

my folks are anne devlin rd. small fucking world.

wild horses re the flames. more info?

I'm joshing of course, a reference to your earlier slap about closing the ports and all that.

So I just started causing trouble here recently, what's the story with this place? I ran into some US Vietnam type called Etruscan or somesuch, a charming man with forthright opinions. A little angry I'd have to say. Some Pilospy guy had a pop at me too for some reason. I haven't been banned yet so that says something for the possibility of "a frank exchange" of views.

I'm joshing of course, a reference to your earlier slap about closing the ports and all that.

So I just started causing trouble here recently, what's the story with this place? I ran into some US Vietnam type called Etruscan or somesuch, a charming man with forthright opinions. A little angry I'd have to say. Some Pilospy guy had a pop at me too for some reason. I haven't been banned yet so that says something for the possibility of "a frank exchange" of views.


no, i thought it was the dodder docks. :p

ive had run ins with various gun nut yankee types like designatedwanker, deep kiminche and the prize possession of the israeili minitry of truth, tropical sands.

but in the septics defence there is a skandie here, ny noorland who is pure poison.

all in all its good fun throwing hand grenades at gullible americans, who says they dont know irony

but in the septics defence there is a skandie here, ny noorland who is pure poison.

A skandie (http://www.freewebs.com/mrsskandarkeynes/welcomeaboutthesite.htm)?

scandanavian. norse i believe

my oh my has this one gone off topic

USA is supposed to be the best example of Capitalism, following this, FIFA has full rights to bargain about this, therefore it is NOT being greedy you whiney fellas.
It's USA ffs, don't be so greedy to buy the world cup rights, its YOU who can buy it!!Not FIFA sell it for free!!