So, this is one that has definitely touched a nerve with me! Fifa, the world governing organization for soccer, decided 2 weeks before the final round of European qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup, that the teams that qualified for the playoffs would be seeded! This meant that out of the 8 teams that qualified, 4 would be seeded as higher rankings and not have to play each other (ie France would not have to play Portugal). In my opinion, this is what it is all about! Since there was a chance that the above teams, Portugal and France, would be drawn against one another, Fifa decided to 'alter' the rules in order for them to avoid being paired up. By having them play together, there would be one less power nation involved in the World Cup. Why not just draw from the 8 team like was the initial plan?I am Irish and this is one reason why I am upset with the decision. In the draw, Ireland got France. Probably the toughest pairing in the playoffs. But I am not complaining about that. Even if all 8 teams were drawn from one hat we could have got France anyway. It is just the way in which Fifa announced it. The Irish team and coaching staff was also fuming about the decision. In particular goalkeeper Shay Given was unhappy. Given even went as far as to suggest that the decision, which was announced last week, was driven by the voices of the biggest nations at the top of the Fifa hierarchy. "There are people high up in delegations," said Given, "and maybe their countries are needing a hand to qualify."
Check out this English poll, that asked 'Is Fifa's seeding system fair'? The result was pretty conclusive with over 87% of respondents saying the system was flawed. Need I say more?
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