Lowy: They have no idea what they are talking about

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

May 28 – Frank Lowy (pictured left), the chairman of Australia’s bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, has hit back at critics after a website claimed that they had slipped behind rivals like Qatar and South Korea.

The American-based site ranked Australia seven out of the nine contenders after it had recently been hit by a row with rival codes over the use of stadiums for the tournament if they are awarded it.

But Lowy was damning in his assessment of the poll, which also claimed that England 2018 had actually cemented its place as favourites despite bid leader Lord Triesman being forced to step down after he made serious bribery allegations about rivals Russia and Spain.

Lowy said: ”There are 24 people who are going to make that decision [the FIFA executive committee] and the people who write about it have no idea what they are talking about.

“Did it hurt us the squabbles about the stadia?

“Yes.

“Did it hurt us very badly?

“Not that badly.

“But I would have preferred not to have it because it should have and could have been sorted out totally differently.

“The squabble wasn’t necessary.”

Lowy reiterated his disappointment at the approach taken by the Australian Football League (AFL).

He said: ”I don’t think they did the right thing.

“But we are all here now.

“I think it could have been a bit easier.”

But AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou hit back, claiming his code had been a “fantastic supporter” of the World Cup bid.

He said: ”The AFL was fully cooperative during the whole World Cup bid process.

“We have publicly stated we are supportive of the bid, we have given up five venues, which is the most of any code, to help the World Cup bid.”

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