Piaras Kelly PR - Public Relations in Ireland

I don’t think there’s anyone bigger or smaller than Maradona - Kevin Keegan

One thing worse than Manchester United’s current form is the garbage that FIFA, Soccer’s governing body, continue to come out with. Thanks to a deal they have struck with Infront Sports and Media, online publications cannot publish photos from the 2006 World Cup until an hour after the game ends and no more than five pictures during one half can be used!

Does anyone in FIFA actually watch Soccer!? Here’s the best example as to why this decision makes no sense, England versus Argentina 1986. That match contained the two most memorable goals ever scored during the World Cup (possibly in any match ever): Maradona’s ‘Hand of God‘ and then his second goal which saw him beat six English players before rolling the ball into an empty net.

All of that action happened in the second half, and let’s not forget that Gary Lineker also scored a late consolation later in the match. Are you telling me that an online publication could only use five images from that second half and manage to recapture it!?

Needless to say, FIFA obviously is more interested in money than the sport itself. As Media Culpa rightly points out, sites like Flickr will see their traffic rise as Consumer Generated Media results in better coverage for fansites than regular online media.

One nil to the bloggers! You’re not singing anymore online media! Sepp Blatter ate all the pies!

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