|
|
Upcoming Fixtures
| Sat 27/12 |
|---|
| Indonesian Liga 1 |
| Persik Kediri v Persis Solo |
| Australia A-League |
| Adelaide United v Western Sydney |
| Italian Serie A |
| Parma v Fiorentina |
| Italian Serie B |
| Spezia v Pescara |
| Indonesian Liga 1 |
| Persib Bandung v PSM Makassar |
| Persian Gulf Pro League |
| Paykan v Kheybar Khorramabad |
| Premier League |
| Nottingham Forest v Man City |
| Scottish Premiership |
| Hibernian v Hearts |
| Belgian Pro League |
| Royal Antwerp v Zulte-Waregem |
| Malawi Super League |
| Dedza Dynamos v Moyale Barracks |
| Isthmian League North |
| Bowers & Pitsea v Concord Rangers |
| Gorleston v Wroxham |
| Isthmian League South East |
| East Grinstead Town v Jersey Bulls |
| Southern Div 1 South |
| Didcot Town v Swindon Supermarine |
| Saudi Arabia Pro League |
| Al Qadsia v Dhamk |
Lions, Leeks, Thistles and Clover!
By: Bill Osborne
Date: 18/12/2002
ENGLAND, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales may be forced to play as the United Kingdom if a proposal to be discussed at the Fifa meeting in Qatar next October is taken seriously.
Although the paper is a discussion document only, experience has shown that these things usually go ahead particularly if Sepp Blatter has anything to do with it and he has no reason to like the FA.
The discussion paper is to decide if member countries have to be members of the UN and if that happens then the four home countries will be seen as one which means the end of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales playing in international competitions.
Instead, there will be one team. Either Great Britain or the United Kingdom.
The problem is that the footballing developing nations would be expected to support the motion if it is presented as a formal proposal, causing havoc in the UK with 4 different football associations.
It may also have an effect on the football league. If there is to be one nation, then the suggestion that there should be a UK league instead of 4 separate leagues may be revived and we could see a league with maybe 7 or 8 divisions. Fifa may well in fact enforce that.
A nightmare for football administrators.
There have already been some suggestions that the 4 home countries play a knockout to see which one would represent the UK in each particular competition.
Whatever the outcome of these discussions, if things go the usual way, the English FA will be slow to react and be ill prepared to defend the current arrangement. They have never shown any willingness in the past to stand up to either EUFA or FIFA. They will of course object strongly after the horse has bolted!
This site is by the fans, for the fans, and we will consider articles on any subject relating to the Mariners whether it be related to current news, a nostalgic look back in the past, a story about a player, a game or games in the past, something about Blundell Park or football in general. Click here to submit your article!
Related Stories
| Thread Title | Posts | Latest Post | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completely lost his way | 46 | forza ivano | 26/12 20:35 |
| Just Back | 38 | headingly_mariner | 26/12 20:31 |
| Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Match Thread - 26/12/2025 | 110 | marinerjase | 26/12 19:00 |
| Oldham at BP | 33 | Gaffer58 | 26/12 14:51 |
| Falling out of love with town | 89 | Nelly GTFC | 26/12 14:27 |
| TV Games/Upcoming Fixtures | 4 | SiteBot | 26/12 14:14 |
| The Fishy | 42 | Nelly GTFC | 26/12 14:07 |
| Prediction Thread Oldam H 25.26 | 45 | promotion plaice | 26/12 13:04 |
| Have a Laff | 5 | Southwark Mariner | 26/12 00:23 |
| Another christmas quiz | 14 | mimma | 26/12 00:16 |