Should The AFL Be Put On Hold For World Cup? Post by: Luke Darcy 8 December, 2009 - 9:23 AM

If Australian Soccer wins it's bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022, it may force the AFL to put part of their season on hold, so that the World game can be played at MCG and Etihad Stadium.

The AFL might have to look at moving games to other venues or even look at hosting them in regional areas.

AFL boss Andrew Demitrious has a lot of questions.

Soccer chief Ben Buckley explains how it could unfold.

Leave your comment

• Graham says

  Not bloody likely! Why move the footy, I realise that the World Cup is massive but why should we move something that's been going for 150 years. Why not hold it in October/November.

  Posted Tuesday 8 December, 2009 8:47 AM
• Renny65 says

  If we are supposed to be the sports capital of Australia surely we can figure this out. What about that big new stadium they're building down next to Olympic Park. Isn't that for soccer?

  Posted Tuesday 8 December, 2009 8:50 AM
• Tomo says

  The world cup is as big as the Olympics and its based on a single code (Soccer!).
  Aussie Rules should not have so much influence on the greatest and most popular sport in the world. There is no comparison between the two codes.

  Posted Tuesday 8 December, 2009 10:03 AM
• Chris A. says

  Without a shadow of doubt the AFL should be put on hold, like it did for the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. It's a no brainer!! Football is the world game!! When the world comes to a multicultural country like Australia it's only natural that we welcome them with open arms and hearts!! This latest call it at will 'bullish' and 'bogan' outburst by the AFL speaks volumes of how un-Australian the AFL is.

  So my question is to you Eddie, since you are a board member of the major events & president of Collingwood, (obviously a conflict of interest here) would you now stand down your role in the major events board? Your comments in the Herald-Sun "Maybe it's just one of those events that we go overseas for" is crystal clear that you are bias in your opinion, narrow minded and naive. I assume your role in the board of major events is to get world events like the World Cup to the sports capital of the Australia, Melbourne!! You should be leading the charge and leaving no stone unturned into landing the World Cup!! The whole world would finally know what Melbourne is all about!!! You out all people with your travels overseas know what makes the world tick and it's FOOTBALL!!

  The hearts, minds and hopes of this great sporting national have changed forever!! The 'Socceroos' much like our Olympians are our hero's and inspiration!! It is those brave and courageous men, women and children that play 'Football'. Yes 'Football' get with it! As the rest of the world knows it as!!!

  Posted Tuesday 8 December, 2009 3:16 PM
• Josh says

  Eddie, I can't decide whether or not you are serious, or just creating a stir to evoke public opinion.
  The notion that the AFL season would have to be postponed is obvious, and fair enough; something that people have to accept. It is at least 9 years away for goodness sake!
  That you would virtually question the importance of this 'soccer' event really undermines your credibility. Clearly you value AFL and/or your position with Collingwood over your sense of patriotism, and this is sad. Did you not get excited just 3 and a half short years ago when Australia got into the last 16 of the World Cup? Surely, surely, the AFL can lower itself to 'soccer' and come to the party: imagine what a very drab and boring party it would be.
  I always thought of Collingwood supporters as 'one-eyed', but this has taken it further - does this mean you don't have any eyes?
  Of course the MCG will have to be off-limits to AFL for a period of time, but isn't it worth it for all the economic, social, media and other benefits a World Cup would bring? That's really the issue; 'soccer' is the World Game, AFL is a game played by 1 country (and mainly by one state in that one country). It all seems a bit selfish to me.

  Posted Thursday 10 December, 2009 12:21 AM
• Chris A. says

  If the AFL continues with this loutish, un-Australain and childish manner I will cancel my Collingwood and AFL full membership ASAP in protest and never will attend or be interested in their game again. The longer this drags on the more people get 'off-side' with the AFL. The AFL are winning no support and instead losing support, money and eventually sponsorship money. A word of thought Andrew and Ian Collins, What will Etihad (a naming sponsor of the stadium) think about not having their name branded everywhere when the world cup comes to town. I suggest Ian and Andrew you got some explaining to do.

  Latest score:
  FFA & Australia United 3
  vs.
  AFL 0

  (F. Lowy 1 goal, N. Kidman 1 goal, AFL own goal!)

  Posted Thursday 10 December, 2009 1:34 AM
• Brendon says

  I understand that AFL is the thing most dear to Victorians which is fantastic. I can understand that Vics do not want the AFL season interrupted. What I do not understand is that now Sydney are in on the act to help FFA resolve the World Cup issue Vics are sooking, whinging and even critising the effort Sydney are trying to make. I am a QLDer but now live in Melb so I am no in on the whole Sydney V Melbourne debate. Vic should be thanking Sydney. You cant have your cake and eat it too guys.

  Posted Thursday 10 December, 2009 8:22 AM
• simmo says

  wel if we still had vfl park there would be no problem but the afl stuffed that idea,anyway start the season early,pee off the nab cup,look for other venues to play games at while the soccer is on,interstate 4 example,fix up princess park.bring on the world cup...but as long as it doesn't effect the whole afl season,because our game is more important!

  Posted Thursday 10 December, 2009 5:19 PM
• Pete says

  In regards to how or who should fund the proposed ANZ Stadium upgrade? That's easy! Cut the government funding to the AFL's western Sydney stadium project. It's a waste of money anyway! AFL will never mean anything in Western Sydney or NSW for that matter. And if the AFL and NRL won't be supportive and comply with OUR World Cup bid, then I suggest the Government should terminate their funding. The AFL love to gloat to everybody how much billions or gazillions they generate, I'm sure they can pay for themselves.

  Posted Friday 11 December, 2009 12:11 PM