By GRAHAME ARMSTRONG
02mar03
SOCCER fever is taking hold with Premier Geoff Gallop making a bid to host FIFA World Cup games in Perth in 2014.

Dr Gallop says the Socceroos' easier road to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and its recent 3-1 victory over England, should be used to propel an Australian bid to stage the world's biggest sporting event.

Television rights alone are worth $1.8 billion, for broadcasts reaching 28 billion viewers (the cumulative total over the 15 days of the tournament) in 213 countries.

WA matches would be played at Subiaco Oval and possibly the new rectangular stadium in East Perth, which eventually will have a 30,000-seat capacity.

The distances between Perth and other Australian capital cities could mean that WA would get to host all games from one of eight groups.

"The FIFA World Cup has the potential to generate significant economic impact for Western Australia both in terms of direct spending and through its global television coverage and broadcast rights," Dr Gallop said.

"In joining the feasibility planning for this world-class event, Western Australia is looking to place itself on the international sporting stage."

The Sunday Times understands plans are also being made for WA to bid for other FIFA events as a warm-up to the 2014 World Cup, including the Under-17 and Futsal (indoor football) World Championships and the Women's World Cup.

It is too early to gauge the economic benefits, but the Rugby World Cup is expected to generate $1 billion nationally. The five rugby games to be held in Perth are expected to bring in 6000 visitors and generate $9.5 million for the state.

Australia is expected to announce its intention to bid for the 2014 World Cup after a review into Australian soccer is completed in June. FIFA considers bids eight years before the event. The winner is usually announced six years before.

The 2010 World Cup will be held in Africa.

WA would team with Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia to examine the possibility of bringing the lucrative sporting event to Australia in 2014.

Tourism Minister Clive Brown said WA was in the preliminary stages of examining the bidding process.

"At this stage, support must be gained from the Federal Government and Soccer Australia before the proposal can proceed further," Mr Brown said.

He added that soccer enjoyed overwhelming support from the WA public.

West Australians avidly supported Perth Glory, and many WA soccer players had gone on to successful careers overseas.

-----------------------------------------

so goign from that, if this bid is serious and carried out, then there will be a proposal for a new rectangular stadium in east perth! the capacity will hav to be +40,000 under WC regulations and will be reduced later to 30,000. but then agen this is 11 years away so it could be built bigger allowing for demand growth! 75,000 Perth Stadium here you come! lol

mike

I think we need to wait until the Rugby WC is completed and use its (hopefully) success (and that of the 2000 olympics) in the proposal for the Soccer WC. It would certaonly look good on paper. The Olympics were the most successful ever and the Rugby World Cup is looking good also. Television statistics from the 2006 WC wont be as terrific as that from 2002 because of the time zones, but they will be vital nonetheless. Also the success of the Comm Games in 2006 will be vital.

Its all happening

Great news!!..a true rectangular stadium for Perth suitable for WC standards!!

Now,if Adelaide can get their act together,then we will have some awesome stadium proposals for a WC!

It's good news all round. Here's hoping for success.

Sepp Blatter is quoted in today's paper saying the 2014 World Cup will go to South America (no country specifically named as yet.) Good idea I think. While I'd love Aust to host the tournament I always felt it should be a bit further down the track.

.

lol yeh. and hopefully my career will be at the point where I get to design the stadiums that are used! heres hoping...

mike