Airsy, the Asian Fed will certainly try to impose that.

If it's Italy, their group (of death) will include Egypt, Belgium & (poor old) New Zealand

I imagine they will either pull out at the last minute or turn up (and demand the FIFA Peace Prize).

Kite - I was under the impression it would be the next best non-qualifier from Asia.

Kite - or maybe the Vatican City…?

Nick - completely agree 👍

Just doing some research on Iran and their participation in WC26. Officially they are still in but have requested that their games are played in Mexico which FIFA have rejected. Article 6 of WC regulations say that "if a team withdraws, FIFA can call up any nation it chooses"

A4e, thanks for clarifying- I wasn’t sure if I had missed something. I would be very surprised if there aren’t people in our fanbase way more qualified than those on the DTB to navigate this process (note, I am not blaming the DTB here, there is no reason why someone in place because they were elected on a “popularity contest” would have the expertise to deal with this sort of corporate transaction) and we should ideally either be calling on their expertise or, if necessary, paying for advice.

Airsy - thanks, that clarifies things… I do hate it when we have to look at all these various permutations, but I suppose it adds spice to the final day….

Nick - I don’t actually know whether or not we have anyone with that experience working with or for us…

As I said earlier also, the big one tonight is Bradford v Plymouth. If Plymouth win that and other results fall in a certain way (tonight and Saturday), then Bradford could go into the Exeter game on the last day where only a win could be good enough for the play-offs.

That's it A4E; we can't go down on Saturday, but we can secure safety.

Repd, depends who. Definitely one or two there who I wouldnt want to have any more power.

A4e- I am not in the weeds enough to know whether your post suggests that you are aware that we do have such a person involved or that you simply think that we should do. If the former then that is good news, if the latter then I agree with you

Sounds like winging it to me. No process or experience.

Woking - I’m amazed that we don’t have someone who has worked in venture capital working on this for us…

And guess who's had his name put down to cover Orient v Burton...

Afternoon all. Still believe there's a good chance a potential investor has put money into the club before...

DO - either way, if we lose at Wigan, it’s going to the final day of the season, so just win on Saturday and that’s that… Wigan have nothing at all to play for, it would be lovely if they rolled over for us (obviously they won’t…).

“Working hard on it” can mean anything from “we are in advanced discussions, but can’t say anything because of confidentiality” to “we have nobody at all interested at present but are looking hard to try to find someone”- I don’t think that we will be told (or realistically could expect to be told) what is really going on, which is fine if we accept that the DTB are competent to take the process forward.

For those not on discord - someone asked about the potential investors and an update. Reply - "we don't have any update on potential investors timeline or process apart from to say working hard on it"

I do not believe Exeter will win both their remaining matches - therefore we need to win one of ours to be safe.

Further to yesterdays discussion re amateur football todays OTD explains why leaving the Isthmian League was necessary to avoid stagnation

I saw England play 3 games in the Azteca in 1985 but don’t think I could justify the cost these days

That would be cool, golden wonder