Why losing the World Cup bid is an economic winThere is very little economic gain to be had by hosting giant sporting events, writes economist Dennis Coates. So why do countries — and Australia is as guilty as the rest of them — continue to overbid for them?
World Cup
World Cup: Australia’s World Cup bid roo-ted by ham-fisted schmaltz
The Australian advertising and creative community is recoiling in horror over the nation’s video pitch for the 2022 World Cup.
The Canberra cables: next WikiLeaks drop to jeopardise World Cup bid?
The Australian government knows exactly what is in the WikiLeaks documents, writes Luke Miller, blogger at Idle Senate Speculation.
Does a corrupt Fifa need to delay 2018 World Cup bids?
Allegations of corruption and vote-buying by two key members of the Fifa executive committee have senior officials calling for the bidding processes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to be suspended.
World Cup: How the fatal bomb attacks affected the people of Kampala
I was lucky enough not to witness the explosions last night but I can give a brief account of the atmosphere in the city surrounding the events, writes Sam Wilkins in Kampala.
World Cup: The inside scoop on Paul the clairvoyant calamari
How is it that a humble cephalopod can somehow predict, with terrifying accuracy, the outcome of games played on another continent? A Crikey tipster set us on the scent of a scandal…
World Cup: FFA to The Age: we’re not mucking about, enough is enough
What on earth is going on with the Football Federation of Australia’s legal action against The Age? One Age insider described it as “bizarre.”
World Cup: Crikey’s guide to football’s showcase
Technology is set to add a more interactive and multidimensional experience for punters following the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in Johannesburg tonight (Australian time).
PHOTO GALLERY: Mildly offensive World Cup mascots
The Olympics isn’t the only sporting event with dodgy mascots, with the FIFA World Cup emerging trumps in creating mascots of national stereotype. Like Mexico in 1986, who had a sombrero wearing jalapeño.
How to fix a World Cup match
Soccer (or “football” to you purists) is rife with match fixing, and author Declan Hill has put his life at risk exposing it. He explains how the games are rigged and why the World Cup is a fertile field for bribery and buy-outs to flourish.
How an Australian World Cup could damage the AFL
If Australia wins its bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022, it will come at a cost to the AFL, which will lose potential future stars to the rival code and space for new footy ovals, says Sam Wylie.
No luck for the Irish as French cheats prosper
Ireland’s football team was cruelly denied a place at next year’s World Cup in South Africa due to a blatant piece of cheating from the French this morning, declares Neil Walker.
Tantrums, strikes and soccer Indonesian-style
Indonesia’s national soccer league might need to step up a notch if it wants in on the World Cup following a season beset by head-butting, tantrums and violence against referees.
MCG vs. Stadium Australia: a FIFA World Cup final showdown
Despite the love in the room for the G last night, there are serious questions over the suitability of the ground for hosting the FIFA World Cup.
The Lowy down on why Rudd Labor just loves the round ball code
It’s always unwise to get between an Australian politician and some sportsmen.
Cricket Australia stumped by its ambitious players
The modern cricketer has evolved into something Cricket Australia doesn’t quite recognise, writes Thomas Hunter.
Socceroos prevail, but Verbeek the real winner
He came, he saw, and like a skilled politician, has played his first 100 days in office perfectly. Francis Leach writes on Pim Verbeek’s first outing as Socceroos coach.
Can India’s cricketers keep the Twenty20 ball rolling?
Three days after India won maiden Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, the euphoria generated all over the Indian continent has yet to subside.
Media briefs and TV ratings
A big weekend of sport … Nine scheduling holding back NRL … Wilson crows as Fatty faces the bone … Seven dominates another ratings week … Last night’s TV ratings.
A-League kicks off unveiling a new Brazillian star
Australian sport’s slumbering behemoth, the fledgling national soccer competition – the A-League – begins its new season tonight in Sydney, aiming to build on credibility it has garnered over the past two seasons, writes Charles Happell.
Media briefs and TV ratings
SBS ratings, ad revenue going strong … Origin Three struggles in Sydney … Last night’s TV ratings.
Lucas Neill, where art thou?
That was the silent cry from the fans on The Kop at Anfield as Liverpool crashed to earth in spectacular fashion this week.
Coach of the Year
Well, it’s hard to go past imported coach-for-hire Guus Hiddink who pulled the Socceroos together when it mattered and made us all believe, even if for a moment.
Socceroos start to unravel
The glory of Australia’s heroic World Cup efforts in Germany is still fresh in the minds of many sports fans. But the last few days have seen the first cracks emerge in what until now had seemed a totally unified campaign.
Socceroos: Life after the World Cup
The Socceroos play Kuwait at Stadium Australia next week in an Asian Cup qualifier and the game is a sell-out. But the World Cup afterglow won’t last forever…
