By David Owen in Cape Town
December 8 – FIFA needs to move decisively to claim Asia as “football territory”, according to Frank Lowy (pictured), the Football Federation Australia (FFA) chairman.
Interviewed exclusively by insideworldfootball here, Lowy said that “every other sport” was looking at Asia, which was “a virgin country, so to speak”.
“We need to fill that vacuum and we must fill it quickly.
“It is up to us, up to FIFA now to say, ‘This is my territory’.
“It is no secret that the broadcast of the Premier League in Asia is [extremely] popular …for good reason.
“But to play there, it’s a virgin territory and there’s a vacuum there.
“Are we going to let other sports come in there?
“This is our territory, this is a football territory to claim for our own.”
Australia is one of five Asian countries contesting the race for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
It and Japan are currently bidding for both competitions; Indonesia, Qatar and South Korea for 2022 only.
The Czechoslovakia-born, Hungarian-speaking Lowy insisted that Australia was committed to both races and warned Europe - which is widely expected to host the 2018 competition – against any assumption that it was “the centre of the world”.
“I am committed to try very hard for 2018,” he said.
“Obviously, we are bidding for two: if you can’t get one, we’ll take the other.”
He gives a hearty laugh.
“But the focus is on 2018.”
Asked about perceptions of Australia’s remoteness, he said: “With respect to Europe, Europe is not the centre of the world.
“And it ought not to assume that they are – because the world is round.
“It all depends where you are going and from where you start.
“This is not in any way derogatory, it’s a fact.
“In my business I get on the plane five or six times a year…and go to London.
“OK so it’s a bit tiring, so what?
“I get there and I rest for a day, or I don’t rest for a day, and get on with life.”
Lowy, a wealthy 79-year-old businessman who controls the Westfield property group, said Australia was spending “a couple of billion dollars plus” on its efforts to bring the World Cup to the country for the first time.
The Australian Government “gave us A$45 million just to go and bid….A$45 million seed money to go and prepare ourselves.”
Matches would be concentrated in seven cities around the country: Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Newcastle and Townsville, with three venues in both Melbourne and Sydney.
Lowy said Australia had accelerated its effort when it realised China was not bidding.
“We were nowhere about 12-18 months ago,” he said.
“We have put in a lot of effort and now I have found that there’s a great sympathy for Australia.
“[The World Cup] has never been in the Australian continent…
“We represent the greatest growth opportunity that football has for expansion, being part of Asia, and at the same time, Australia has the experience to stage events…This is our main platform.
“Look, Australia is made for this; made for this World Cup…We can provide all that is required…And what a sports-loving country it is; how enthusiastic the support of the Government.
“Of course, I’m very enthusiastic and the competition is great…but we are made for this World Cup.
“I’m not exactly out of a job you know.
“We’re quite busy, but I’m here.
“I spend the time and so is my team…
“Four of us are serving on the board of FFA.
“None of us get paid.
“We do this because we believe in the sport and we believe in Australia’s ability to do the job.
“My dream would be to host 2018 and Australia to be in the final.”
Viewed from nine years out, this looks a long shot.
Replace 2018 with 2022 in that quotation, however, and Lowy’s dream appears much more plausible – on both counts.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734910207labto1734910207ofdlr1734910207owedi1734910207sni@n1734910207ewo.d1734910207ivad1734910207.
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