In the end, it was only about the money.
How else do you explain that the two oil-rich nations bidding to host World Cups in 2018 (Russia) and 2022 (Qatar) won the voting yesterday in Zurich?
Russia finished last in the technical study done by FIFA among the European contenders for 2018 (with England, Belgium/Netherlands and Spain/Portugal), and Qatar, which beat out the United States, Australia, Japan and South Korea, was the only country named as a "high-risk" location by the technical group.
But let's not get too technical here.
Russia, which will host the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, has pledged to build 13 stadiums and renovate three in Moscow and St. Petersburg for 2018. That probably explains why the Russian bid finished so low in the technical study . . . there are no stadiums.
Qatar, with an average summer temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit, promised to build 12 air-cooled stadiums that will be comfortable for players and fans. Again, no stadiums, and, probably more important, it's a desert. There's no water.
Michel D'Hooghe, of Belgium, FIFA's chief medical officer, played the diplomat when asked about playing in such heat.
"I have to think it over and discuss it with people at the right moment," he said.
The 2018 voting was over quickly.
England, which led every country in every category devised by FIFA, went out in the first round with two votes. And one was its own vote. That left Russia (nine first-round votes), Spain/Portugal (seven) and Belgium/Netherlands (four). The Russians swept the second round with 13 votes, one more than was needed to win.
When FIFA president Sepp Blatter pulled the name "Russia" from the hermetically sealed envelope, a few screams went up from the audience, and the entire Russian delegation headed for the stage, not unlike the "Saturday Night Live" writers attacking the stage at the Emmys.
The only soccer player in attendance was Andrei Arshevin, one of the stars of Arsenal, of the Premier League. He didn't smile, probably because he was thinking about the reception he now will get in stadiums all over England.
According to wire-service reports, Moscovites took to the streets waving flags and cheering "Russia! Russia!"
Which is a lot easier than the old days, when they would have had to yell, "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics! Union of Soviet Socialist Republics!"
"Russia loves football," said Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who was not in Zurich for the announcement. "Russia knows what football is, and, in our country, we have everything to conduct the 2018 World Cup on a very worthy level. The decision corresponds with FIFA's philosophy for developing football, especially in those regions of the world where that development is needed."
The reaction was a little cooler among the English delegates. Losing was one thing, but the humiliation of the one-round, two-vote fiasco was more than some could take.
"According to FIFA, we had the best technical bid," Prime Minister David Cameron said. "No one can identify any risks of coming to England. I think we had the greatest commercial bid, and a country that's passionate about football. But it turns out that was not enough."
Former English national team coach Graham Taylor was a little more direct.
"I saw the '66 World Cup, but I doubt I will now see another one in England," he said. "What did we expect? FIFA, as far as I'm concerned, is full of people who say yes to your face and no behind your back. England has little or no influence. We are considered arrogant, we are considered to be know-alls."
Despite a prime minister and a prince heading the bid committee, David Beckham was the star.
"Working together, the FIFA World Cup can achieve so much to so many people," he said during England's official presentation yesterday morning. "Bringing benefits that will be felt for generations. You have the chance to make a better future for our grandchildren and many more. Just imagine what we can achieve together."
But Blatter, a Swiss native who tyranically rules the world of soccer, had advice for the world, as he usually does.
"This game is more than kicking the ball," he said. "Football is not only about winning. Football is a school of life where you learn to lose."
Unless you're on the 22-member executive committee.
Oh, and those recent investigations by the English press into FIFA corruption and vote-buying . . . It's only just begun.
