tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593189288898730807.post3883148302193907596..comments2023-09-02T19:33:30.329+08:00Comments on The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer: Kurds monitor upcoming FIFA decision on KosovoThe Turbulent World of Middle East Soccerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08780576145703699280noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593189288898730807.post-43878089623872005772012-09-24T20:00:09.392+08:002012-09-24T20:00:09.392+08:00From Steve Menary:
FYI, Catalonia are allowed to...From Steve Menary:<br /><br /><br />FYI, Catalonia are allowed to play friendlies when there are no La Liga games, i.e. the Xmas break, and have beaten some decent teams as the likes of Puyol play. But, at best, they manage only a couple of friendlies a year. The Catalan FA recruited Johan Cruyff as manager a few years but but it didn't really go anywhere and can't see their position changing re FIFA.<br /><br />Of more interest, perhaps, is FIFA's stance on Kiribati, which has been independent for over 30 years & is a member of the UN. They have been trying to join FIFA since 2004. After seven years, Valcke rejected them via fax in a one-page letter that ran to 3 pars! Until I got this letter and started chasing them on behalf of World Soccer, FIFA even ignored all follow up requests from the KFA. When I told FIFA I had Valcke's letter, they sent 300 balls to Kiribati, which is comprised of 33 islands, so roughly 10 balls per island!. There's an article on this in latest issue of WS. An older one here: http://outcasts-book.blogspot.fr/2011/09/fifas-newest-member.html<br /><br />Also, I understand that Abkhazia are going to ask (maybe already have?) FIFA if they can play intl friendlies. FIFA is opening a can of worms here, although the rejection of Kosovo seems incomprehensible in terms of basic common sense. I understand that the annual FIFA FAP grant of U$D250,000 a year is worth more than the entire FFK annual revenue.<br />The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08780576145703699280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593189288898730807.post-56317561122267349032012-09-24T06:56:09.780+08:002012-09-24T06:56:09.780+08:00I think it would be interesting to add the Tibetan...I think it would be interesting to add the Tibetan National Football Team to this discussion. <br /><br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibet_national_football_team<br /><br />I suppose there would be overlap with Kurdistan in terms of the political complexities/impossibilities involved in recognizing a Tibetan football team.<br /><br />Shawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10069152250773693597noreply@blogger.com