With permission needed from AFC, FIFA and (allegedly) OFC - this represents Step I of three. I don't see why OFC approval is needed (unless FIFA will not approve the move without it - otherwise what would they do, keep putting us in their comps and declaring us as forfeits).
Final approval would occur in September in Marrakesh (where else).
Shintaro's* second note about this has still not filtered through - or it is not being interpreted the way I am interpreting it. Many still seem to think OFC will still get spots in other tournaments, but I wouldn't be surprised if they find it becomes "play-offs v Asia" for everything except Confed cup and Club world champs. Even then, I would suggest OFC would lose these spots to "guests" who would be far more beneficial in a financial sense to the organisers (Real Madrid or Napier City, Fiji or Argentina, its your call!).
James
*- this is what I recall, if it is wrong (ie S stands for something else) please accept my apologies.
With permission needed from AFC, FIFA and (allegedly) OFC - this > represents Step I of three. I don't see why OFC approval is needed > (unless FIFA will not approve the move without it - otherwise what > would they do, keep putting us in their comps and declaring us as > forfeits).
OFC has to delete Australia from its map in order for FIFA to officially approve the shift. OFC has no political tools for resisting it anyway.
Final approval would occur in September in Marrakesh (where else).>
Shintaro's* second note about this has still not filtered through - or > it is not being interpreted the way I am interpreting it.
I suppose Junji Ogura was talking about the WC when he spoke about the playoff issue. I think there are a number of things behind the scene we still don't know about.
Many still seem to think OFC will still get spots in other tournaments, > but I wouldn't be surprised if they find it becomes "play-offs v Asia" > for everything except Confed cup and Club world champs. Even then, I > would suggest OFC would lose these spots to "guests" who would be far > more beneficial in a financial sense to the organisers (Real Madrid or > Napier City, Fiji or Argentina, its your call!).>
James>
*- this is what I recall, if it is wrong (ie S stands for something > else) please accept my apologies.
No apologies necessary. It was I indeed.
One source says AFC approved the shift on _some_ condition. It is still unclear what exactly it is. We'll see.
With permission needed from AFC, FIFA and (allegedly) OFC - this >> represents Step I of three. I don't see why OFC approval is needed >> (unless FIFA will not approve the move without it - otherwise what >> would they do, keep putting us in their comps and declaring us as >> forfeits).>
OFC has to delete Australia from its map in order for FIFA to officially > approve the shift. OFC has no political tools for resisting it anyway.>
Final approval would occur in September in Marrakesh (where else).>>
Shintaro's* second note about this has still not filtered through - or >> it is not being interpreted the way I am interpreting it.>
I suppose Junji Ogura was talking about the WC when he spoke about the > playoff issue. I think there are a number of things behind the scene we > still don't know about.
True - but I would suggest that he did mean more than WC. OFC direct representation at other tournaments has probably been tolerated because Australia does do reasonably well. Without Australia, that is, with New Zealand and smaller countries getting a direct spot, this may cease (New Zealand isn't even entering the next U-17 WC qualifiers). I would expect Asia wouldn't say no to a shot at that spot - and I dare say they would probably get it if it went to a vote. The point on opening up a spot for "guest" teams (and once the Club World Champs moves away from Japan the host nation would be tempted to ask for the 6th spot - Japan may even want it!!!) is a critical one I think.>
Many still seem to think OFC will still get spots in other >> tournaments, but I wouldn't be surprised if they find it becomes >> "play-offs v Asia" for everything except Confed cup and Club world >> champs. Even then, I would suggest OFC would lose these spots to >> "guests" who would be far more beneficial in a financial sense to the >> organisers (Real Madrid or Napier City, Fiji or Argentina, its your >> call!).>>
James>>
*- this is what I recall, if it is wrong (ie S stands for something >> else) please accept my apologies.>
No apologies necessary. It was I indeed.>
(Actually the preemptive apology was in case the 'S' wasn't for 'Shintaro')
One source says AFC approved the shift on _some_ condition. It is still > unclear what exactly it is. We'll see.>
Would love to hear more if you find out. Also if you have anything more on the other Junji Ogura quote.
With permission needed from AFC, FIFA and (allegedly) OFC - this> represents Step I of three. I don't see why OFC approval is needed> (unless FIFA will not approve the move without it - otherwise what would> they do, keep putting us in their comps and declaring us as forfeits).>
Final approval would occur in September in Marrakesh (where else).>
Shintaro's* second note about this has still not filtered through - or> it is not being interpreted the way I am interpreting it. Many still> seem to think OFC will still get spots in other tournaments, but I> wouldn't be surprised if they find it becomes "play-offs v Asia" for> everything except Confed cup and Club world champs. Even then, I would> suggest OFC would lose these spots to "guests" who would be far more> beneficial in a financial sense to the organisers (Real Madrid or Napier> City, Fiji or Argentina, its your call!).>
James>
*- this is what I recall, if it is wrong (ie S stands for something> else) please accept my apologies.>
Terrific news if it all goes ahead ***fingers crossed***
It would also mean A-League clubs could participate in the AFC Champions League.
It was my understanding that FIFA has said that if AFC and OFC both agree to it, they would rubber-stamp it no problem. However, we all know what FIFA has been like to us in the past.
