I was just watching a programme called Freddie Flintoff – Ashes Hero, and I was struck by the contrast between cricket and football, especially at the moment. Currently, in the realm of cricket, England are playing Australia in the ashes, one of sports longest-lasting rivalries. But I think it’s a rivalry of great warmth and friendship: both England and Australia respect each other deeply; we love visiting each other’s countries every couple of years. That’s why I wrote on here the other day that at least we drew the first test, as it means we won’t lose five nil again. I would not mind losing to the Australians now as, going by recent form, we have every chance of winning next time. And even when we did loose five null, I had such a great time Down under that I could not begrudge them their victory for too long.

The vibe I get from the world of football is currently completely different. To be crude it seems far less civilised, particularly since Friday. Loosing that world cup bid really stings, far more than losing the ashes in Australia, largely because it was so very unfair. We should have won that bid on Thursday, but because of the corruption of Fifa, football won’t ‘come home’ for at least thirty years. The whole thing reeks, and I’m not the only one who thinks so. Australians, I should add, have just as much right to feel as slighted as we do, as the games they should have won were inexplicably given to Qatar. What Fifa did was deplorable, and has brought itself and the entire game of football into disrepute. That’s why I’m just going to watch cricket, as it is more certain where games will be hosted, and England have a chance of winning.