Comments on: The Sweeper: World Cup Seeding Controversy http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/10/16/the-sweeper-world-cup-seeding-controversy/ A soccer blog featuring essays, news and photography exploring soccer around the world Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:48:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: สถานที่ท่องเที่ยว http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/10/16/the-sweeper-world-cup-seeding-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-27763 สถานที่ท่องเที่ยว Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:07:10 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=3755#comment-27763 -0- google -0- google

]]> By: The Sweeper: FIFA Is Trying To Kill Me | Pitch Invasion http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/10/16/the-sweeper-world-cup-seeding-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-17106 The Sweeper: FIFA Is Trying To Kill Me | Pitch Invasion Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:23:45 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=3755#comment-17106 [...] the speculation that FIFA are making the decision most convenient to them is fed, just as with the playoffs seeding controversy. If FIFA could only set and release their seeding procedures ahead of knowing which countries would [...] [...] the speculation that FIFA are making the decision most convenient to them is fed, just as with the playoffs seeding controversy. If FIFA could only set and release their seeding procedures ahead of knowing which countries would [...]

]]> By: alex http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/10/16/the-sweeper-world-cup-seeding-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-10005 alex Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:45:25 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=3755#comment-10005 Its really nice post, keep it up. <a href="http://www.google.com">google</a> Its really nice post, keep it up.
google

]]> By: Micah http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/10/16/the-sweeper-world-cup-seeding-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-10002 Micah Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:47:09 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=3755#comment-10002 As long as France and Portugal fail to advance, giving the USA the slightest chance of getting a seed, I will be happy. As long as France and Portugal fail to advance, giving the USA the slightest chance of getting a seed, I will be happy.

]]> By: Sms Falas http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/10/16/the-sweeper-world-cup-seeding-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-9975 Sms Falas Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:15:52 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=3755#comment-9975 ie, one FIFA feels needs review each time ie, one FIFA feels needs review each time

]]> By: Benjamin Kumming http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/10/16/the-sweeper-world-cup-seeding-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-9972 Benjamin Kumming Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:45:06 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=3755#comment-9972 The purpose of seeding teams is to increase the likelihood of "tastier" match ups later in the tournament. It seems cynical - and also not particularly insightful - to point it out, but it's the truth. If teams with larger international draw, say Portugal and France for example, were to paired in the playoffs, then one of them wouldn't be in the World Cup and that means lost television ratings. The key here is that not only would FIFA lose the attention in the home country (Portugal or France) but these are teams that draw attention internationally, they're "big" teams. Slovenia is not. (Interestingly, Bosnia might be arguable considering the large diaspora populations in the States and presumably elsewhere). It's a fairly transparent tactic on the part of FIFA to assist the more popular national teams for their own ratings boost. NCAA basketball does it every year in the March Madness playoffs, but at least in that instance there has been an entire season of results on which to base seedings. Seems like FIFA's are a bit unfair in this instance since it's based on their screwball ratings system and not how each team has performed in the competition (WC qualifying) thus far. But FIFA isn't exactly known to be a friend to the underdog, is it? The purpose of seeding teams is to increase the likelihood of “tastier” match ups later in the tournament. It seems cynical – and also not particularly insightful – to point it out, but it’s the truth. If teams with larger international draw, say Portugal and France for example, were to paired in the playoffs, then one of them wouldn’t be in the World Cup and that means lost television ratings.

The key here is that not only would FIFA lose the attention in the home country (Portugal or France) but these are teams that draw attention internationally, they’re “big” teams. Slovenia is not. (Interestingly, Bosnia might be arguable considering the large diaspora populations in the States and presumably elsewhere).

It’s a fairly transparent tactic on the part of FIFA to assist the more popular national teams for their own ratings boost. NCAA basketball does it every year in the March Madness playoffs, but at least in that instance there has been an entire season of results on which to base seedings. Seems like FIFA’s are a bit unfair in this instance since it’s based on their screwball ratings system and not how each team has performed in the competition (WC qualifying) thus far.

But FIFA isn’t exactly known to be a friend to the underdog, is it?

]]> By: Tom Dunmore http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/10/16/the-sweeper-world-cup-seeding-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-9970 Tom Dunmore Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:53:14 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=3755#comment-9970 Rob -- because Europe is the only place with seeded playoffs, isn't it? The established teams already have an advantage from the seeded qualifying draw in the group stage, as elsewhere. Seeding the playoffs after that stage as well, in which less established teams have already had to battle the odds because of the initial seedings, is a further disadvantage to the less established teams who have achieved as much as the seeded teams from the group stage. Other confederations also have their complicated seeding situations, but we're discussing the playoff system in Europe's fairness. If it wasn't a debatable decision -- ie, one FIFA feels needs review each time -- it would be part of the established system, and not a decision the FIFA Executive Committee announces right before the end of the qualifying rounds. Sure, they were following precedent, but why did they decide not to announce it until then? The bigger question I'm trying to raise is the whole value of seeding, and how far it should be used. How much do we want to favour established teams and for what purpose? Rob — because Europe is the only place with seeded playoffs, isn’t it? The established teams already have an advantage from the seeded qualifying draw in the group stage, as elsewhere. Seeding the playoffs after that stage as well, in which less established teams have already had to battle the odds because of the initial seedings, is a further disadvantage to the less established teams who have achieved as much as the seeded teams from the group stage. Other confederations also have their complicated seeding situations, but we’re discussing the playoff system in Europe’s fairness.

If it wasn’t a debatable decision — ie, one FIFA feels needs review each time — it would be part of the established system, and not a decision the FIFA Executive Committee announces right before the end of the qualifying rounds. Sure, they were following precedent, but why did they decide not to announce it until then?

The bigger question I’m trying to raise is the whole value of seeding, and how far it should be used. How much do we want to favour established teams and for what purpose?

]]> By: Rob http://pitchinvasion.net/blog/2009/10/16/the-sweeper-world-cup-seeding-controversy/comment-page-1/#comment-9969 Rob Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:41:45 +0000 http://pitchinvasion.net/?p=3755#comment-9969 The playoffs were also seeded in 1998 - the only reason the 2002 playoffs weren't were because of the situation in Israel, which caused their group to be completed late. And every other qualifying draw for the 2010 World Cup was based on World Rankings - why would the European playoffs be different. The playoffs were also seeded in 1998 – the only reason the 2002 playoffs weren’t were because of the situation in Israel, which caused their group to be completed late.

And every other qualifying draw for the 2010 World Cup was based on World Rankings – why would the European playoffs be different.

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