WHY SOCCER IS SO POPULAR

( Joseph S. Blatter,  General Secretary,  FIFA)



1.  Kicking is instinctive.

2.  The ball is the perfect symbol for the universal nature of soccer.

3.  It is team oriented.

4.  Everyone participates.

5.  You can play different positions.

6.  It provides educational benefit.  (e.g., personal discipline and respect.)

7.  It has a simple objective (i.e., put the ball in the net).

8.  It has simple laws  (i.e.,  seventeen total with fourteen directed at the organization and only three directed at rules of conduct).  This means that everyone can be an expert on the game.

9.  The game is spectacular;  controlled within the limits of the field and time  (i.e., running clock).

10.  Unity of field, time and rules = principles of classic drama.