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Original poster

FIFA corruption

59 replies

var123 · 27/05/2015 17:38

AIBU to think it ironic that nothing happens for years and years about blatant corruption at FIFA, even though it is the favoured sport in many countries with a strong anti-corruption stance. Then, suddenly there is action as soon as the US develops an interest in "soccer", even though its still a minority interest?

OP posts:
Original poster
var123 · 29/05/2015 17:35

watching the fifa voting live on tv with interest....

What a palaver! Here's an idea: a show of hands or an electronic ballot (if they feel the need to maintain the illusion of secrecy).

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TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos · 29/05/2015 17:40

I think it is one of those occasions where the US is using its considerable power well. I also think that its slight detachment from "soccer" is to the advantage of the sport, as there are fewer emotions about what they are are doing and that the American strong intolerance of "white collar" crime is a good (and legal) hook for the action: previously, for example, personal attacks have been made on Blatter, which have always failed.

Theknacktoflying · 29/05/2015 18:31

Shame on you FIFA - just re-elected Blatter ...

Nothing is going to happen until FIFA is hit in the pockets and major sponsors start pulling their support/money

namechange0dq8 · 29/05/2015 18:48

Nothing is going to happen until FIFA is hit in the pockets and major sponsors start pulling their support/money

Here's a photograph of English football standing up to Fascism in 1938. What makes you think they would do any better today?

FIFA corruption
Original poster
var123 · 29/05/2015 19:14

Appeasement had massive popularity in 1938. Chamberlain thought he was in with a chance of the Nobel Peace prize and vast crowds cheered him when he got back from Munich.

Churchill, and what he represented, didn't really have broad appeal until late 1940, even though he was PM by the summer.

Basically, you are right - the English will not stand up to wrongdoing alone (unless they really have to), but in this case the US is leading the way and England only has to decide which side its on.

namechange0dq8, I did learn a lot from your earlier very detailed, very clear explanation. Thank you!

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Theknacktoflying · 29/05/2015 20:14

Coming from a country that was heavily sanctioned the only reason why things changed was because pockets were being hit hard ... Morally it should have happened ages back ...

The whole US involvement is purely sabre rattling against Russia

Fluffcake · 29/05/2015 20:49

Great example of the person at the top "not having a clue" of what is going on in the organisation that he is supposed to be running and therefore not having the decency to resign. Football is all about money.

Original poster
var123 · 29/05/2015 21:02

Didn't have a clue because he was prevented from finding out? Or chose not to look so long as he was getting his cut?

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taxi4ballet · 29/05/2015 23:06

Blatter has been in charge at FIFA for 17 years, and yesterday I saw a report on TV with him saying there was no way he could know what all those senior people had been doing all the time.

He's been in charge for 17 YEARS. He really ought to have some kind of a handle on what's going on by now.

TTWK · 29/05/2015 23:35

The key to this is the tv firms. Forget about Russia, it's too close for any action. But Qatar is another matter. 1200 workers dead so far in the WC construction process, and expected to run out at 4000 dead by completion. 25 died in Brazil by comparison (still awful) and 1 in London for 2012 Olympics.

If the tv firms boycott the rights to the 2022 world cup, sponsors follow suit as without tv, sponsorship is useless, and the whole sorry charade comes tumbling down.

People should start now by emailing Sky, BBC and ITV calling upon them to boycott covering 2022 WC due to death toll.

Original poster
var123 · 30/05/2015 12:13

Sepp Baltter appears to have come out indignant and fighting. Good luck with taking on the FBI!

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Icimoi · 30/05/2015 12:38

I think we also need a mass boycott of companies sponsoring Fifa as long as keep Qatar for 2022. Coca Cola, McDonalds, Visa, Kia, Budweiser, Adidas - we're looking at you.

Justanotherlurker · 30/05/2015 13:02

There has been a massive socail media campaign been going for a couple months that has been organised on Reddit.

There was a mass emailing campaign earlier this month and this is so far the response from Visa

visacorporate.tumblr.com/post/119372415928/visa-statement-on-fifa

#fifaslavery

namechange0dq8 · 30/05/2015 13:08

as long as keep Qatar for 2022

Qatar 2022 is worse than Russian 2018 because...?

Idontseeanydragons · 30/05/2015 13:38

So is he incompetent or corrupt guess which one I'm going for. Been in charge for that long and didn't know about any corruption? What bollocks.
Visa released a statement yesterday basically advising FIFA to get it's house in order or they would pull sponsorship.
DH's take on it is that if Blatter doesn't step down it will make all future international competitions a laughing stock with about a dozen clubs involved.
I'm a bit more cynical and think a few officials will be thrown to the wolves, maybe a few token changes made then back to normal within months.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 30/05/2015 13:47

I'm sure he's a megalomaniac, there's no way he'll ever step down as he's convinced he's above all of the corruption.

Let's see what happens over the next few days, I hope Visa do pull their sponsorship but somehow I don't think it'll happen.

Original poster
var123 · 30/05/2015 14:03

Idontseeanydragons - did visa give a deadline? If not, then its just an empty threat.

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Original poster
var123 · 30/05/2015 14:08

Megalmaniac or not, if you were Sepp Blatter, would you be looking through your diary to make sure you didn't have any upcoming trips to the US?

Maybe that's what the Americans are waiting for to arrest him? It would be easier than a prolonged extradition. Alternatively, they might be hoping for some evidence against him from those arrested last week when the plea bargaining starts.

A wise man does not go to war with the US Justice Dept!

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Idontseeanydragons · 30/05/2015 14:09

Var no, no deadline (phone is acting the arse so I can't link or copy).
Basically they expect swift and decisive action to address the issues in the organisation otherwise they will withdraw sponsorship.
If you twitter search Tom Watson he has a good link to what's going on with the main sponsors.

Idontseeanydragons · 02/06/2015 17:57

My BBC app has just popped up with Blatter is resigning!

Original poster
var123 · 02/06/2015 17:57

Latest news headline: Sepp Blatter to resign as Fifa president.

Huh? Anyone understand what's going on?

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Idontseeanydragons · 02/06/2015 17:59

Greg Dyke on BBC news now.

taxi4ballet · 02/06/2015 18:11

Don't see why it should be the top story on the BBC 6 o'clock news though.

Strewth - is this really the most important thing to happen on the planet today?

Original poster
var123 · 02/06/2015 18:17

taxi4ballet - which would you choose to lead the news: Charles Kennedy's untimely death or the Chinese boat sinking?

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Idontseeanydragons · 02/06/2015 19:01

So who's in the running now then? Any chance FIFA might get someone with a bit of integrity? Come to think of it any chance the old sod will be investigated himself?
There might be a small chance if football regaining some dignity after all this...

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