FIFA's Surprise ASEAN Announcement

A few months ago I decided to buy a new bookcase for my Arsenal programmes. I didn't need a new bookcase; the other one is perfectly fine but hey, I'm the boss. I can do what I want.

That was my initial reaction to the Bald Infant announcing there would be a FIFA ASEAN Championship starting in October. You can tell he has been hanging round with the Washington Orange Man too long - the announcement of something unnecessary came out of the blue and was lacking in detail.

Just like Orange Man, it leaves those who actually care about the subject scratching their heads with way more questions than answers.

1 - Who wanted it?

2 - FIFA is notoriously a money-oriented business now. Is there serious money to be had from organising its own ASEAN Championship?

3 - Are World Cup expectations now so low that the Bald Infant is scrambling around trying to make up the shortfall?

4 - Would there be a FIFA ASEAN and an AFF ASEAN?

5 - Are we really going to see domestic leagues put on hold for back-to-back international tournaments?

6 - Will ties be played in Qatar and Saudi Arabia?!

7 - Who actually wanted it?

8 - What will happen to ticket prices?

Both of my regular readers will know I'm a big fan of the ASEAN Championships. It may have lost some of its shine for some countries, I'm looking at Indonesia who, with their diaspora, think a trophy they have never won is not as important as qualifying for a tournament where they have only ever won three games.

I do think also some of the magic has gone when they switched it from having groups centrally based to home and away, increasing costs and travel time for players and fans.

And yes, if we are to keep the home/away going, why not fit the games into the existing FIFA calendar?

I guess for the time being we'll have to sit and wait while the Bald Infant gets round to crossing the i's and dotting the t's.