FIFA forgets about football fans again

Peter FitzSimons writes that FIFA awarding the peace prize to Donald Trump is the worst thing a sports organization has ever done (“Even by FIFA standards, Trump’s award is a new low,” December 14). However, I think this is minor compared to FIFA’s previous scandals. Alleged corruption within the organisation, particularly regarding the allocation of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, has been officially documented and led to serious legal action. The widespread FIFA corruption scandal in 2015 resulted in indictments from the U.S. Department of Justice charging several senior officials with wire fraud, racketeering and money laundering. These indictments alleged that FIFA board members received millions of dollars in bribes in exchange for their votes in both the 2022 Qatar and 2018 Russia World Cup candidacies. Bribery accusations and investigations have resulted in the downfall of many top football players, including former FIFA president Sepp Blatter. Today, FIFA continues to stir controversy: it has set official ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup in the United States at over $10,000 (and even higher on the secondary market), meaning only the wealthy can attend. The lottery would be fairer.

John Kempler, Rose Bay

World Cup ticket prices are astounding. The majority of loyal fans could not afford these tickets, accommodation and travel expenses to experience this amazing event. The world game will only be accessible to the wealthy, not fans who contribute to the code throughout the year. We hope that with Donald Trump’s visa restrictions, fans will show their dissatisfaction by staying away and send a strong message to FIFA.
Denis Suttle, Newport Beach

Helping people with hemophilia

I read with interest your article on gene therapy for hemophilia B (aka Christmas Disease) (“The dose of this gene therapy is $5 million. Is it worth the price?”, December 14). Over the past 50 years, I have witnessed revolutionary changes in the treatment of hemophilia because my husband has hemophilia A (factor 8 deficiency). When I first met my husband in the 1960s, the only treatment was fresh frozen plasma; This was a huge improvement over whole blood transfusion. This was later replaced by cryoprecipitate (concentrated plasma) and then by a freeze-dried version of the same. The 90s saw the development of recombinant (synthetically produced) factor 8. To say that I am grateful to these scientists for their scientific breakthroughs is a huge understatement as they have changed our lives and the lives of thousands of others suffering from the disease.
Elizabeth MaherGordon

too much pressure

I had a wonderful time at North Sydney Boys’ High School from 1966 to 1971. The teachers seemed nice but unusual. The value for me was the immense stimulation of being surrounded by smart children who challenge teachers and each other (“No child is an island: HSC camp praises us”, 14 December). I don’t remember feeling any pressure or competition with other schools. We were vaguely aware that our school was at or near the top of the state in HSC results (we were aware enough to get briefly annoyed if North Sydney Girls were ahead of us). The contrast with the pressure and competition described in your article is striking. Based on my own experience with a selective school, I was a strong supporter of this system. After reading your article, I’m not so sure.

Peter Tuft, Kettering (Stone)

Check out these claims

I think the comments made by poor old Woolies and Coles spokesmen in response to the federal government’s new price gouging ban should be read in every pub in the country (“Supermarkets return to price gouging ban”, 14 December). Or maybe our hearts should go out to them because they “face a cost of doing business crisis,” face an “unlevel playing field,” and earn “less than three cents on the dollar” for every $100 of customer spending (anyone else think a fact check is in order for this particular claim?). Can’t you hear the violins in the distance as bar patrons everywhere are giving these supermarket giants, “among the most profitable in the world”, a massive setback?
Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown

short attention span

I completely disagree with Parnell Palme McGuinnes’ opinion piece (“Thanks Dad Albo, but we’ve got this parenting thing figured out,” December 13). Unfortunately he can’t win. The Coalition and One Nation won’t listen and the prime minister does what neither of them would do. So he claims it’s his fault the parents can’t be parents. Kids in Australia (even in private schools) don’t have attention spans because of their devices, and the Albanian government has done something about it.
Tad Dufelmeier, Gordon

I completely agree with Parnell Palme McGuinness. The government should not impose discriminatory restrictions on those under 16. While they do that, let’s get rid of unfair laws that keep them from smoking or drinking alcohol. Our children have the right to be legless, just like the rest of us. We let them ride electric motorcycles, so why restrict their expanding brains with helmets? Compulsory education should also be abolished. What good is social media to them if they don’t know how to read?

Neville Turbit, Russell Lea

Silence is golden

Customers over 60 may dislike “medicinal foods” or meals labeled “for the elderly” (“‘Sixty is the new forty’: Food businesses are turning to the silver economy,” December 14). They also don’t really like noisy restaurants, especially if they’re starting to have hearing problems, as is common. So if “oldies” are becoming an increasingly lucrative clientele, restaurant owners would be well advised to do much more to manage the acoustics in their establishments, including turning down the music (it’s a restaurant, not a disco) and telling unnecessarily loud tables to turn the volume down.
Ross Duncan, Potts Point