Jim White

Stuck in a pointless jam

Wed Jun 10 10:45AM

You have to hope the FA had not ear-marked tonight's game with Andorra as part of their campaign to host the 2018 World Cup.

Imagine the scene as voting members from FIFA's international committee, having been informed of the new Wembley's magnificent eco credentials, of the way - by dint of a near total absence of parking facilities - fans are obliged to arrive by tube, bus and train, find themselves stuck in London's worst jam in living memory as London's public transport goes into meltdown.

It is not just the striking underground workers who have done their bit to present England as the most shambolic of potential hosts. The Metropolitan Police have panicked so badly about the potential traffic issues they have spent the last 48 hours trying to get the game played behind closed doors, seeking to ban the paying fan from attending. While Chiltern Railways, the company that run trains into the Wembley Stadium station that sits just to the west of the ground, have responded to the potential of a huge increase in custom by announcing that their service will not be stopping there for "fear of being overwhelmed".

So even those who had no intention of travelling by underground in the first instance now have to find another way of doing it. Dear God. Thus is the nation that was once a byword for stiff-upper-lip resistance to adversity revealed to be a place that utterly crumbles the moment anything goes wrong.

Of course, it does happen in other countries. The French transport unions took the opportunity of the Rugby World Cup to go on strike a couple of autumns ago. It is rumoured there are still fans out there somewhere in the bleak northern suburbs of Paris trying to find their way home from the semi-final at the Stade de France. But as an advertisement for 2018, and the nation's ability to stage a major tournament, this could not have been worse timed.

There are those, however, who suggest that never mind union action and train company inaction, the match shouldn't be going ahead anyway. After all we already know, whether it is played in front of 90,000 or 90 fans, what the outcome will be. We know England will win. Either frustratingly or handsomely, it doesn't really matter; those three points are already in the bag, and the post-match speeches about doing a professional job have already been rehearsed.

And we know this because of the absurd disporportionality of the tie. England has 1,485,910 registered players; Andorra 3,037. England has 92 league clubs; Andorra eight. England has a Fifa ranking of sixth, Andorra 196th. And so on. The whole point of sport is competitive uncertainty. But there is nothing uncertain about this: England will win, three more points will be accrued ahead of the game that matters against Croatia in October.

What precisely is the purpose of games like this? Except to add yet more ballast in the trophy room at David Beckham's palace? It could be argued that, if the game is to expand, Andorra deserves an occasional place in the sun. But they seem to play England every qualifying tournament. And if it is not England, then it is Italy or Germany or France taking a pointless maximum points from them. Their only role is to be slaughtered, so how does that advance their cause? How does it make their players better to be routinely humiliated? How does it stoke up national pride to be blitzed in Berlin or wrecked in Rome?

Surely it would be a more encouraging system to run a parallel qualifier for the smaller nations, in which Luxembourg, Andorra, San Marino and the rest play each other, with the very real chance of occasionally winning a game, with the side that comes out on top rewarded with the opportunity to play in the next main qualifying tournament. It is what they do in rugby and cricket, two sports not hugely renowned for their lack of self-interest.

It would spare everyone concerned - players exhausted at the end of a long season, administrators battling to find space for extra games in the midst of a crowded list, fans from whose pockets the whole enterprise is financed - from a completely unnecessary outing in the June monsoon. Of course, it isn't going to happen because a minnow's vote counts as much as a whale's and the entire motivation of Fifa's governing body is self-perpetuation. But until somebody sees sense and realises games like tonight's redefine the term a waste of space, I'll give it a miss. And I suspect I am not the only one.

Comments1 - 30 of 99
First
Previous
1
2
3
4
Next
Last

On New Year's Day there is no public transport anywhere yet we have a full fixture list - clubs often attract their biggest gate of the season on this day.
Why is it such a problem if a few trains aren't running in London - let them get the bus!
Southern softies.
From cameronwestwood on Wed Jun 10 11:35AM
Report abuse
On New Year's Day there is no public transport anywhere yet we have a full fixture list - clubs often attract their biggest gate of the season on this day.
Why is it such a problem if a few trains aren't running in London - let them get the bus!
Southern softies.
From cameronwestwood on Wed Jun 10 11:35AM
Report abuse
3rd
From adityaarun on Wed Jun 10 11:59AM
Report abuse
3rd
From adityaarun on Wed Jun 10 11:59AM
Report abuse
good idea its wat happens in asia
From adityaarun on Wed Jun 10 12:03PM
Report abuse
Cameronwestwood, there might not be any public transport on New Years Day in your backwards part of the country! But down here in London, there are LOADS of tubes and busses on New Years Day and people rely on them! So shut up you northern monkey!
From mobile_clay on Wed Jun 10 12:17PM
Report abuse
are u scottish and jelous of wot we can achive.
From briarfield6370 on Wed Jun 10 12:25PM
Report abuse
Southern softies eh??
we work harder and longer and better !!!!!!!
From bdwbalgesec on Wed Jun 10 12:27PM
Report abuse
I think the world cup qualifying rounds are a farce. England usually only get a couple of half decent games. Most of the teams in England's group would probably be beaten by many league 2 teams. It does not give England a stern enough test to prepare for the finals. Years ago a typical England group would consist of one good team such as Italy or France and then a couple of half decent teams such as Sweeden or Poland and at least give them something to play for. I think it would be a good idea to have a separate qualifying group for the smaller nations.
From hugsha on Wed Jun 10 12:34PM
Report abuse
So today's game is waste of space because it is being played against Andaro and not Spain or Italy ,which you consider to small to merit any interest. Because players are exhausted after long season for their clubs makes national assignment insignificant. The so call pundit atimes are not better than than toddler when they write rubbish and believe they are fact.
From dapfash on Wed Jun 10 12:38PM
Report abuse
briarfield6370 why would scottish people be jealous of this mess? What have England achieved????
From gavincareyuk on Wed Jun 10 12:39PM
Report abuse
What a garbage article. Why does it do these teams well???????
Well for one, it is televised and will increase popularity. If one of their unknowns has an absolutely fantastic game it will boost his credentials and may actually be given a chance to train or be signed with a better club. Thus being trained better, and being able to instill further confidence in his lesser known players and country folk that hard work and a bit of luck can pay dividends. Why say these games are pointless when there players will never play in front of fans of these quantities. Usually I like this Jim Whites articles but this one is garbage.
From gpeacock1981 on Wed Jun 10 12:41PM
Report abuse
What have England achieved? A LOT more than ANY other country in the UK! You muppet!
From mobile_clay on Wed Jun 10 12:54PM
Report abuse
Wow just imagine if London was planning to host the Olympics, now that would be a terrible embarrassment as Tube Strikers hold the country to ransom demanding 200% pay increases. Thank God we didn't win 2012...oh God we did...just signed up to become a Tube Driver...I can make a killing!!!
From mattwjj on Wed Jun 10 01:06PM
Report abuse
scotland couldna do it cos they didnay qualify.
From coldcutz on Wed Jun 10 01:13PM
Report abuse
Who writes this garbage.
From likit2005 on Wed Jun 10 01:13PM
Report abuse
Let the Southern Softies walk - dear me, no tubes . . . . what a hardship!
Should never have been built there in the first place - should've been in the middle of the country. . . . inclusive for all, not just exclusive to the southern windbags.
From cameronwestwood on Wed Jun 10 01:16PM
Report abuse
Anyone remember the measly 1 foot of snow in January that brought London to a panicky standstill? Nuff said.
From the_stark_in_winterfell on Wed Jun 10 01:18PM
Report abuse
Once again, Jim White you have written another "POOR" article.
Each country is EQUAL in qualifying. Therefore, stop with the protectionism of trying to keep more "successful" countries in smaller groups.
The only way teams are going to improve over time (and you have to give it time) is to allow them to play higher ranked nations. Latvia are a case in point, they qualified for the 2004 finals after building slowly over time the infrastructure to be successful.
Why not have more groups, less teams and no playoffs? Easier..no?
Tonight could have been easily avoided by playing this match, in the North. It would give other fans the chance to watch the national side, rather than going to the White Elephant stall that is Wembley. It was better when the national team travelled about, everyone got a chance to see them.
A 90,000 all seater stadium for a match with Andorra, it is stupidity.
From simonpophale on Wed Jun 10 01:27PM
Report abuse
Once again, Jim White you have written another "POOR" article.
Each country is EQUAL in qualifying. Therefore, stop with the protectionism of trying to keep more "successful" countries in smaller groups.
The only way teams are going to improve over time (and you have to give it time) is to allow them to play higher ranked nations. Latvia are a case in point, they qualified for the 2004 finals after building slowly over time the infrastructure to be successful.
Tonight could have been easily avoided by playing this match, in the North. It would give other fans the chance to watch the national side, rather than going to the White Elephant stall that is Wembley. It was better when the national team travelled about, everyone got a chance to see them.
A 90,000 all seater stadium for a match with Andorra, it is stupidity.
From simonpophale on Wed Jun 10 01:27PM
Report abuse
jim stole these article from paul parker!!!!
From oluwafemiodusanya on Wed Jun 10 01:30PM
Report abuse
cameronwestwood spot on, whinging little southern fairies AS PER USUAL
From agentblue_99 on Wed Jun 10 01:36PM
Report abuse
Jimmy, old boy, I hope Andorra make you eat your words, and yes, I am English and support England, but your comments above are nonsense. Another point to consider is that if England played higher ranked teams they could end up not qualifying at all, as happened not to long ago!
From canal_captain on Wed Jun 10 01:39PM
Report abuse
Even my Uganda would trounce Andorra at least 6-0. remember we are 68th on the FIFA rankings.
From kaggwa2000 on Wed Jun 10 01:40PM
Report abuse
Minnows in the competition, just like our much beloved FA Cup Mr White. I seem to remember England struggling against San Marino in a certain World Cup Finals, but as we haven't actually slaughtered anyone in our group or recent Euro qualifiers lets use it as an opportunity. M1 willing I'll be there tonight and if England win by a good margin, so much the better, it'll give us something to celebrate instead of groaning about another poxy strike !!
From njc.design on Wed Jun 10 01:42PM
Report abuse
If the wembley mafia cannot put on a good safe and easily accessible event then they should move the match to old trafford, villa park or even the millenium stadium...As paying fans it is wembley that is ripping everyone off ...dont blame the unions the police or the fans...blame the money grbbing bankers that own the stadium!
From stuartxland on Wed Jun 10 01:42PM
Report abuse
There is no danger of the English FA ever complaining about the so called minnow countries getting a full vote at the FIFA table. Great Britain and Northern Ireland's 4 sets of chief executives and other various officials are not going to risk their trips around the world. If they demanded Andorra get perhaps a half vote, Andorra could suggest a quarter vote for England or perhaps none.
From delaneyireland on Wed Jun 10 01:43PM
Report abuse
north versus south? am min the centre. lol
From kaggwa2000 on Wed Jun 10 01:45PM
Report abuse
It's ok for you norhtern monkeys..........you'd resort to ridding whippet t'game after a 25hr shift down pit!
From ray.ryan on Wed Jun 10 01:46PM
Report abuse
Sunday service maybe bu 'no public transport anywhere'on NY Day is incorrect
From darren.j.owens.t21 on Wed Jun 10 01:47PM
Report abuse