So FIFA want to make more money “to distribute to poorer nations’ – an honourable objective until it becomes apparant that FIFA is sitting on $4 billion at present. It is also offering a $20 million bribe for countries to agree (how is that legal). Further doubt on the ethicacy of the proposal is the insolvent of Trump and his money grabbing family. Football is a game of the people, unlike many others and UEFA have stated that all member nations in Europe will boycott the scheme unless it is withdrawn. The scheme would expand the size and number of FIFA tournaments with no oncern for players, who, whilst well rewarded, can have their careers ended in moments, who already play 70+ intensity matches per year. Do they get a say? And does the UEFA edict also include clubs and their players – if so, the idea is worthless to potential investors, 74% of the World Cup squads play in Europe (the % beccomes much higher if it includes top players). On the players fatigue element, Chelsea won the FIFA “World Club Champions” farce in America – and then ran out of steam in the League, finishing 10th. There was also no mention in the proposal for women’s football at all. So Infantino maybe able to enthuse ‘daddy Trump”, bribe poorer countries (many of whom’s FA’s are riddled with corruption), but without UEFA backing his plans are collapsing like castles in the sand as the tide comes in! (Poetic moi!).
Meanwhile back in the real world the papers – even The Guardian- made a headline of the wild fire in Suffolk being near (12 miles) to a nuclear power plant (Sizewell), no matter that there was no danger to Sizewell itself and the area between the heath that was burning was farmland (probably cereal crops that could be harvested early if necessary), just lazy journalism playing on peoples fears. Apparently disposable bbq manufacturers have got by the ban on disposable, by making them reusable, although very little difference! Maybe a registration system for buying should be introduced – it would not be perfect but could narrow down the culprits whose stupid causes the fire and sometimes deaths. Online purchases would be passed tonthe police too. Why is it that Public Schools and Dulwich College can water their fields of pitches, whilst community gardens can not! Britains class structure persists.
Eco-regions! I read a proposal in France to create eco regions. That makes a lot of sense – until one looks at the complicated geology of Britain, would the South and Noth Down regions combine – and the Weald between? Norfolk and Lincolnshire combine, maybe Essex and Suffolk, the middle of the country I have no idea about – but worth a discussion!. In economic terms most counties are economically eco friendly. County town and surrounding hinterland.
Meanwhile – Internationally Saudi Arabia have said they will strike against Houthi targets in an attempt to make the export of their oil safe. More posturing, it is unlikely that bombing would do more than several years worth would do? Houthis have to only hit 1/20 tankers to make oil prices rise! Oil taken from the ground has a given cost/profit/price – do Iran and the USA have an agreement to take it in turns to elevate the price of oil, and thus oil companies profits.