FIFA going down the drain

[papa_smurf]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13587449

Candidate for FIFA presidency, Mohamed Bin Hammam pulled out of the bid to not see ""dragged more in the mud" - looking a bit too late for that. Unless FIFA sorts this alleged corruption scandal, major sponsors will not want to be associated with it. If the ICC can sort it out why cant FIFA?

[Gerald]

Money talks,even for them.

http://youtu.be/8_ofFa50LzY

[Tchocky]

Looong time coming

[Egan]

So Bin Hammam and Warner are now suspended pending a full inquiry but Blatter has been cleared of any and all charges of wrong doing by FIFA's 'ethics' committee and is free to run for the presidency which he will of course win uncontested because the only challenger was, wait for it, Bin Hammam. :damn: Turned out nice for Sepp once again, hasn't it?

I don't understand how he can possibly be cleared of anything before the inquiry has even begun. Surely, at the very, very least, he should have been suspended until the committee has finished it's investigation and the election should have been put off until after everything had been decided.

The only way to deal with FIFA in general and Blatter specifically is for the organization to be dismantled. It's now making the United Nation's Human Rights Commission look positively moral and upstanding. It's disgusting.

Mind you, it's not just FIFA itself that disgusts me. The whining about impropriety from various parts of the English FA would have been easier to listen to if they hadn't publicly tried to crucify and silence elements of the media when Panorama first broadcast their claims back before the bids in the winter. And Chuck Blazer, who seems to have been responsible for this current crisis, doesn't seem to have had much of a problem with them back when the US, like England, was bidding for the WC either.

Not one of them comes out of this looking very good.

[STEED]

I hope they go to hell but money is power and it talks.

[Jimbuna]

So Bin Hammam and Warner are now suspended pending a full inquiry but Blatter has been cleared of any and all charges of wrong doing by FIFA's 'ethics' committee and is free to run for the presidency which he will of course win uncontested because the only challenger was, wait for it, Bin Hammam. :damn: Turned out nice for Sepp once again, hasn't it?

I don't understand how he can possibly be cleared of anything before the inquiry has even begun. Surely, at the very, very least, he should have been suspended until the committee has finished it's investigation and the election should have been put off until after everything had been decided.

The only way to deal with FIFA in general and Blatter specifically is for the organization to be dismantled. It's now making the United Nation's Human Rights Commission look positively moral and upstanding. It's disgusting.

Mind you, it's not just FIFA itself that disgusts me. The whining about impropriety from various parts of the English FA would have been easier to listen to if they hadn't publicly tried to crucify and silence elements of the media when Panorama first broadcast their claims back before the bids in the winter. And Chuck Blazer, who seems to have been responsible for this current crisis, doesn't seem to have had much of a problem with them back when the US, like England, was bidding for the WC either.

Not one of them comes out of this looking very good.

Pretty much agree with the above......this organisation has absolutely no credibility at all :nope:

[Egan]

Do you know, back in either February or March, at the FIFA congress two points of discussion were bumped down the list to the bottom where they would only be brought up if there was time. Do you know what the two points were? The corruption allegations pertaining to the World Cup bidding process and whether goal line technology should be embraced. Do you know what they were bumped to make room for? This is a cracker: Whether snoods should be banned in football.

How do you deal with an organization which, as part of it's demands for allowing 'it's' world cup to be played in a country demand tax exempt status in perpetuity and that none of their employees or their employees employees will have to obtain a visa, and threaten to suspend any association if that associations national government 'interfere' in it's business whilst turning a blind eye to somewhere like South Korea who voted for Russia in the last bid because the South Korean government want to foster closer trade links to Russia, and are so flagrantly arrogant and -allegedly - corrupt that they kick any discussion of the subject out of their meetings and dare to criticizes countries for having a free media that report upon it? And....goodness I need to take a deep breath..lol.

I love football, I really do. But this is something else. If the EU has any balls what so ever they will simply start massive legal proceedings and get as many of these sods locked up as possible. FIFA might not be a criminal organization but I'm not sure the people running it aren't.

[Jimbuna]

Aye...but their saving ace everytime is the fact that they govern what is probably the most popular sport on our planet.

The devil looks after his own...I only wish a few countries would join together and leave FIFA to start an alternative governing body in direct opposition to that scummy lot but sadly I doubt that will ever happen :nope:

[Gerald]

The entire organization is top-heavy, and bureaucratic.

[Jimbuna]

The entire organization is top-heavy, and bureaucratic.

Why not give us your consdered opinion?

[papa_smurf]

If FIFA does not clean up, then its doomed as major sponsors will pull out as then do not want to be associated with a corrupt organisation.

[Gerald]

Why not give us your consdered opinion? What was done with this statement!

[Jimbuna]

If FIFA does not clean up, then its doomed as major sponsors will pull out as then do not want to be associated with a corrupt organisation.

Whilst agreeing with your sentiments I'm honestly not convinced that would be the case because the corrupt bastids still hold court over a potential worldwide audience that is probably bigger in numbers than any other sporting audience.

Sad but true unfortunately.

[Egan]

If FIFA does not clean up, then its doomed as major sponsors will pull out as then do not want to be associated with a corrupt organisation.


Coca-cola doesn't seem to be losing any sleep over it at the moment according to quotes in the paper yesterday. Mind you, that could change.

There seems to be some sort of call from members of the English FA this morning for them, the US, Australia and others to start making demands before this ridiculous election goes ahead. Better late than never.

Anyway, see this (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13592684.stm) BBC story for details of very unpleasant people turning on each other to save their own disgusting skins.

I cannot wait to see Warner go down, even more than Blatter. That this man has any role what so ever in an organization like FIFA is a testament to all that's wrong in football. Having said that, who wants to bet that Warner will end up with little more than a slap on the wrist - if that - where as Bin Hammam will be crucified as scapegoat who had the cheek to challenge Blatter?

This (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13591546.stm) story about the FA exonerating four members of FIFA's executive committee of corruption is also interesting - but somewhat odd. I'm impressed by the speed the footballing authorities hold their inquests at....these allegations were only made a couple of weeks ago...:03:

[mookiemookie]

What's FIFA?

</Typical American> :ping::03::haha:

[Egan]

What's FIFA?

</Typical American> :ping::03::haha:

The Federation of International Football Associations. The world governing body of football and the organizers of the World Cup. They are an organization with more members than the UN and are currently embroiled in scandal because their love of corruption is becoming openly brazen. They are presided over by the 72 year old Swiss (or Swizz might be more appropriate in this case,) Sepp Blatter who has run the show for 12 years now and appears to be utterly bullet proof as best shown by the fact that his only challenger in next months presidential election has just been suspended from the FIFA congress over allegations of corruption and bribery. See above for the other details...

Just listened to Blatter's Press conference on the radio. Jeez....Unbelievable arrogance....it isn't even funny any more. He still doesn't even seem to admit that FIFA has a problem. :nope:

[papa_smurf]

Sepp Blatter has insisted that Fifa is not in crisis,

He is either in denial, or knows something that could ruin hie re-election chances.

[Egan]

He is either in denial, or knows something that could ruin hie re-election chances.

Well, Warner is threatening to unleash a 'tsunami' which should be good fun. Nothing like people implicating themselves in order to implicate others.

His entire attitude at the press conference was amazing. A BBC correspondent on 5Live was claiming that several of the questions were from plants. Given the way he responded to anyone that tried to ask him even slightly difficult questions I can well believe it.

I wish he'd stop using the word 'family' to describe FIFA. It makes them sound more like the Mafia than they do already! :DL

[Bakkels]

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/9743/blatter.jpg

[Jimbuna]

Watched the press conference on Sky...does the arrogance of the man have any boundaries? :stare:

:nope:

[Egan]

Sepp wins re-election! Football is saved once again!

The Argentinian Vice -president (one of Blatter's boys, remember,) calls the Allegations from England and the English media lies and claimis he would have voted for the English bid if 'they had given the Falkland Islands back'.

Good grief.

[Jimbuna]

Sepp wins re-election! Football is saved once again!

The Argentinian Vice -president (one of Blatter's boys, remember,) calls the Allegations from England and the English media lies and claimis he would have voted for the English bid if 'they had given the Falkland Islands back'.

Good grief.

I'll send him something to wear...something he'll find useful and feel at home/comfortable with.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FebFCfbHpfM/R6UfYCyZJnI/AAAAAAAAAG4/Rv3p9pMCFBE/s400/crazy_man_straight_jacket_lg_wht.gif

[BossMark]

Sepp Blatter and his Argentine sidekick are corrupt as corrupt can be, its so annoying that pillocks likes these are allowed to run the great game.

[Jimbuna]

Well I should imagine they'll now attempt a cull against those who didn't give their support today :hmmm:

[Egan]

Well I should imagine they'll now attempt a cull against those who didn't give their support today :hmmm:

17 federations abstained from the vote. The FA and the SFA were two, who were the others? The US? Australia? Quite likely. The Netherlands I think are also fairly likely, they were supposed to be furious with the bidding process in December. Doesn't matter now. Like you said, FIFA's Night of the Long Knives is on it's way.

As a point of interest, though, the FA report which apparently cleared the 4 FIFA members named by Lord Triesman in the parliamentary select committee did not - as FIFA and Blatter claim - exonerate them. It simply found that hearsay and private and off the record conversations did not constitute enough evidence to start an inquiry. So that's alright then!

[Jimbuna]

I've just read in my local paper that the USA were scathing of our FA...."Too little too late, why wait for a parliamentary debate before complaing? Typical FA, always behind the curve and never in front of it" etc.

Sadly, I believe they are good points.

[Bakkels]

Well I'm sorry Jim, but I think they're not. Maybe the FA got pissed because they missed out on the World Cup organization but still; they had a very good point. In this case the end justifies the means. (Is that an expression in English? Anyway...) I don't care why the FA opposes Blatter, it's important that somebody does. And in this case, it was the freaking British FA! A lot of countries passed on a very rare opportunity to really unite as a front against Blatter.
There were rumors our Dutch association would support the FA's standpoint but they didn't have the balls... And I know why, Michael van Praag has already been promised a high position within the hierarchy. Probable to take Maldini's place as UEFA's president when Maldini replaces Blatter. Of course, voting against Blatter would threaten this, so they decided to vote for the old Swiss bastard.

This is seriously worse than politics. This is so openly corrupt I can't find the words for it...

And maybe someone knows it here, but would corruption within the FIFA be criminal? I mean, they are their own organization, but could they be charged with anything on a legal basis?

[Egan]

Whilst the US has a point about the FA it also needs to be aware of it's own role in this fiasco. Chuck Blazer, Warner's long time deputy at CONCACAF doesn't seem to have had any problems with his bosses alleged corruption until after the US did almost as badly as England in the December bid. This is odd because accusations of corruption have dogged Warner for over a decade now.

And of course England are guilty of this as well. The digusting attempt at unity with FIFA following the Panorama program in the winter, and the FA's claims that the British media were unpatriotic for daring to expose FIFA corruption, show them up badly.

Blazer claimed other day that FiFA itself was not corrupt but certain individuals are. I think he is wrong. I think the organisation is corrupt at a very basic level. FIFA is terrified at any prospect of outside, independant investigation and we have to ask ourselves why. I think we already know.

There is so much more to this: the envy FIFA has of the riches of European club football and the champions league; the hatred of England (speaking as a Scot this is apparent even to me..lol) based on it's historical role within the game and the vast finincial clout of the premiership; it,s desire to expand it's influence into markets where money is bountiful but regulation and free media monitoring aren't.....

Of course, one of the good things to have come out of this is this: i am positive more than one British newspaper editors will have declared open season on FIFA. Say what you like about our broadsheats and our Redtops but they never forget a slight, never forget a face and they know where you live. It's going to get interesting. :D

[Jimbuna]

^+1 :yeah:

[TarJak]

And meanwhile the players and fans are left wondering how this can be let happen...

The whole shebang needs a good flush out. Problem being what do you replace it with that doesn't involve people who might get greedy?

[Jimbuna]

Good point but I'd like to see a totally independent scrutineering body overseeing the whole organisation on a day-to-day basis.

[Egan]

And meanwhile the players and fans are left wondering how this can be let happen...

The whole shebang needs a good flush out. Problem being what do you replace it with that doesn't involve people who might get greedy?

According to today's papers Sepp Blatter's long time friend and associate Henry Kissenger is set to head up a new 'independent' ethics committee. The other members will be comprised of politicians, ex footballers and, um, celebrities. All picked by FIFA.

I swear to God, you couldn't make this stuff up could you? But i admit, it is almost cute to see that FIFA 's definition of 'independent' doesn't seem to have much in common with the one in the dictionary. Bless.

On a side note, i noticed that one of the podium speakers attacking England at the FIFA congress was the head of the football association of Benin. I did't know Benin had a football association. To be honest i didn't realise Benin had a football. Quite remarkable.

[Jimbuna]

Actually Benin are a very important member of FIFA...a major player one could say.

There World Cup record in particular is one most countries couldn't match


1930 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1930_FIFA_World_Cup) to 1970 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_FIFA_World_Cup) - Did not enter
1974 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_FIFA_World_Cup) - Did not qualify
1978 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978_FIFA_World_Cup) to 1982 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_FIFA_World_Cup) - Did not enter
1986 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_FIFA_World_Cup) - Did not qualify
1990 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_FIFA_World_Cup) - Did not enter
1994 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_FIFA_World_Cup) - Did not qualify
1998 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIFA_World_Cup) - Did not enter
2002 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_FIFA_World_Cup) to 2010 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup) - Did not qualify
Their Africa Cup of Nations record is of similar stature

1957 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1957_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) to 1970 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) - Final
1972 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) - Did not qualify
1974 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1974_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) to 1976 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) - Withdrew
1978 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) - Did not enter
1980 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) - Did not qualify
1982 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) - Did not enter
1984 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) to 1986 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) - Did not qualify
1988 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) to 1990 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) - Did not qualify
1992 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) to 1994 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) - Did not qualify
1996 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) - Withdrew
1998 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) to 2002 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) - Did not qualify
2004 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) - Round 1
2006 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) - Did not qualify
2008 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) - Round 1
2010 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Africa_Cup_of_Nations) - Round 1
But the really impressive fact for me is that they have ONE of their countrymen playing in the Premiership and to cap that amazing fact he plays for the Mackems LOL

Stephane Sessegnon - Sunderland

TOON ARMY http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/whistle.gif

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benin_national_football_team

[Wolfehunter]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13587449

Candidate for FIFA presidency, Mohamed Bin Hammam pulled out of the bid to not see ""dragged more in the mud" - looking a bit too late for that. Unless FIFA sorts this alleged corruption scandal, major sponsors will not want to be associated with it. If the ICC can sort it out why cant FIFA?Fifa has been corrupt for a very long time. This isn't new information. They just don't want it to get out much. That the biggest business might not invest there billions into future games. That means no paycheck for the criminals running it. :woot: