FIFA consider stripping South America of a World Cup qualifying spot.

[Libertadores FC]

The hammer has already come down on Boca Juniors, but FIFA is reportedly none too pleased with CONMEBOL's punishment.

According to a report from Futbol.AS.com, FIFA has deemed that the South American federation's penalty against Argentine powerhouse Boca Juniors is not severe enough. Boca Juniors was disqualified from the Copa Libertadores tournament over the weekend, given a monetary fine, and told they'd have to play their next few home games behind closed doors after some of the club's fans peppersprayed visting arch-rival River Plate's players in a tournament match last week.

The report states, however, that FIFA does not see that as an exemplary discplinary action and is contemplating stripping CONMEBOL of the World Cup playoff berth it currently has. Four teams from South America directly qualify for the World Cup, but an intercontinental playoff against a team from another confederation has been used in recent cycles to determine if a fifth can reach the tournament.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...ng-south-america-world-cup-playoff-spot-over-

I can't go on a rant about this because I don't want to get too biased, but Peru won't make the next few World Cup's if this happens.

Find this extremely embarrassing towards my continent.

 

[SUTSS]

It's such a difficult balancing act for FIFA to get the qualifying right. What I would like to see is less automatic qualification from the continents and more places up for grabs via inter-continental play offs. I think this would allow the smaller nations a chance at getting to the World Cup whilst still allowing the big teams to get there. The problem with reducing the size of the contingent from Europe or South America and giving that directly to another continent is that there will be some little opportunity for medium sized nations to get anywhere, whereas with a play off they would be able to and the other continents would also have a chance to increase their contingent.

 

[Libertadores FC]

I wonder what continent will get the next spot. Europe doesn't need more spaces, and it will be difficult to balance playoffs. Asia and North America don't really deserve another spot, and Oceania definitely doesn't deserve another spot. They also don't deserve an automatic spot or New Zealand will always reach the World Cup easily. I think the continent that deserves the spot if South America gets stripped is Africa, and while I don't believe them to be very good teams, its the best continent to give the spot to in terms of level in my opinion.

This is all assuming FIFA strip South America of the playoffs which I seriously hope doesn't happen.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

To punish an entire continent based on the actions of one or a handful of Boca nutters seems bizarre.
Surely FIFA can put weight on CONMEBOL for further punishment to Boca specifically.

 

[Libertadores FC]

One thing I'll agree on, the punishment given to Boca was soft. Only 4 games behind close doors is a big let off, however like AFCB_Mark said the whole continent shouldn't be punished. Especially given that South America isn't even the worst continent when it comes to violence and violence happens often in South America. Greece is a lot worse, Russia is a lot worse, and Africa I'm sure is pretty bad also. Yes, what happened in Boca - River was completely unacceptable but its still unfair and harsh to punish the whole continent.

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

Let's borrow an idea from another sport..... snooker......... The top ranked 16 in the world are invited, anyone else who can hold a cue is free to have a go...... end result is we find the best snooker player in the world , even if a couple of the big boys meet early on ......

 

[Etienne Vermeer]

They are punishing CONMEBOL because of their weak ass sanctions on Boca, not the actions of Boca fans specifically.

It makes sense to me, and I'm someone who enjoys South American football.