In todays globalised world with the million dollar salaries for our modern Gladiators of declining global capitalism the world cup once more proves its worth to its corporate sponsors, the COCA COLAS and ADDIDAS' of the world.

Unable to organise a fair competition most tournaments look like the concept of 'free trade'. Free for the rich, stitch up for everyone else. Whilst millions watched the tournament live, blatant fraud occurs in front of everyones eyes, like the last US Elections (where apparently some could not count), like the 'war on terrorism' and the hunt for the non-existant Al Quaeda, like the attacks on 'suicide bombers' and the praise for the Buthcer of Beirut Sharon...

In another world where corporate sponsorship doesn't decide the outcome of matches prior to their playing, where footballers dont earn more in a week than firemen in a lifetime, or where democratic accountability coexists for all sporting decisions, the current fraud perpetuated and glorified as if it is non-existant will belong to pre-history.

The transnational corporations have once more taken control of an event so fully that they have rendered it meaningless. The full extent of the fraud cannot obviously be revealed as many hidden agendas exist which run paralll with each other.

Suffice to say in the last world cup somehwere in the middle of it, Maradona did make an announcement that France would win, where it was by no means certain this would be the case. One realises now why he is in semi-permanent exile in Cuba falling out with the modern Dons of FIFA, who resemble caricatures of stage clowns.

The volume of people watching is in proportion to its decline as a game which is no longer fixed so openly and blatantly. Politicians think mistakenly, that football will save them from the coming storm. They believe that by allowing millions of workers and students time off to watch the game that they are gaining credo and support. The reality is probably different. Fraud, corruption and deceit is openly being magnified for millions to see.

The outcome of the World Cup has already been decided. We have just been invited to spectate.