Tag: FIFA

FIFA: Say Good-Bye To An Era

Once again I feel it necessary for me to post on sports…..something I seldom do…..but this is just too big to ignore.

The big story around the world has been the corruption indictments against FIFA, the world football organization……ever since the story broke there have been calls for Sepp Blatter the Prez of FIFA to resign….not because he was involved but there are those that believe he had knowledge of what was happening around him.

Blatter was up for re-election to the presidency of FIFA and after a couple of rounds he won……I believe it was Jordan’s Prince Ali that was the runner up…….maybe he will get his chance at the spotlight now……..why now?

Sepp Blatter’s triumphant fifth term as president of FIFA is crashing to a halt after all of four days. Blatter today announced that he will resign as president of soccer’s governing body as soon as a successor is named in special elections, reports the BBC. In an almost comical understatement amid the growing corruption scandal, Blatter said, “My mandate does not appear to be supported by everybody.” While Blatter has avoided any criminal charges so far, the New York Times reports that his top lieutenant, Jerome Valcke, has now been linked to $10 million in bribes, suggesting that charges against Blatter himself are possible.

In case anyone is interested in what Blatter had to say in his resignation………

“I have been reflecting deeply about my presidency and about the forty years in which my life has been inextricably bound to FIFA and the great sport of football. I cherish FIFA more than anything and I want to do only what is best for FIFA and for football. I felt compelled to stand for re-election, as I believed that this was the best thing for the organisation. That election is over but FIFA?s challenges are not. FIFA needs a profound overhaul.

While I have a mandate from the membership of FIFA, I do not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of football ? the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, breathe and love football as much as we all do at FIFA.

Therefore, I have decided to lay down my mandate at an extraordinary elective Congress. I will continue to exercise my functions as FIFA President until that election.

That chapter is closed and now we can open a whole new line of pay to play…….

FIFA: The Conspiracy

From the fleeting thoughts of Chuq

Since the mid 90’s conspiracy theories have been spread around like peanut butter in grade school……today we have them on just about anything you can think of……coming from Far Right to Far Left…….and they all somehow make the 6 o’clock news…..

After these couple of days of non-stop reporting on the FIFA scandal……could there be a conspiracy going on behind the scenes?

I know Americans are not too keen on football (soccer to them) but this story is too big even for those small minds to ignore.

It appears the the Department of Justice, after an exhausted investigation, has issued indictments against several within the FIFA organization……..from simple bribery to money laundering to coercion to corruption….a total of 13 people and/or institutions……..

I know….I know…..where’s the conspiracy?

There is to be a vote and NO I am not talking about the vote for the president of FIFA……there is another vote that the world may not be aware of coming up…….that is the vote to sanction Israel……HUH?

a dramatic shift in focus for the FIFA conference, and the planned vote on suspending Israel for the mistreatment of Palestinian footballers seems almost certain to be delayed.

The indictments have been issued by the US…….is this the US doing what it always does…….protect Israel?

I question the timing of the indictments.  Were they issued to do as much damage as possible to stop the vote against Israel?

When the issue came up Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu was crowing about this, and bragged of telling FIFA president Sepp Blatter that a vote of the suspension of Israel would mean the destruction of FIFA outright.

A bit odd if you ask me……..is it possible that the timing was not necessarily about justice but rather to protect Israel from a possible suspension from football?

I am not a big conspiracist….but I also do not believe in coincidences……

Just a final thought on a Friday afternoon……

P.S.  CRAP!  I had a perfectly good conspiracy theory going and then the news hit……..

The Palestine Football Association (PFA) on Friday dropped its motion to have FIFA suspend Israel from international football, with the Jewish state saying the decision helped it avoid “an absurd situation”.

Better luck next time, Chuq…..this is why I do not like conspiracy theories…..they can bite you in the ass…..

What kind of unholy deal was made for this to happen?

Enjoy your weekend and a good night…….

Later

The World’s Game

I do not normally post much on sports…..but this story is too big too ignore……

Football, soccer to Americans, is the most popular sport in the world…..and unless you are asleep you have noticed that this is a major international story……..all the corruption and pay to play stuff…….but how many know what to look for or what they are talking about?

In case you would like to be better informed then here is your source….

(Newser) – It’s FIFA corruption scandal, day two. Here’s a guide to what you should know, watch, and read:

  • Vladimir Putin had strong words for the US regarding yesterday’s FIFA arrests, which he framed as “yet another blatant attempt [by the United States] to extend its jurisdiction to other states.” Among his comments, per the Guardian: “I suppose that someone broke some rules, I don’t know. But definitely, it’s got nothing to do with the USA. Those officials are not US citizens.”
  • The AP notes that in fact, of the 14 people charged (nine current and former FIFA officials, four sports marketing execs and an accused intermediary), at least two hold American citizenship.
  • Jon Stewart last night translated the scandal for a US audience in a segment flavored like this: “FIFA is so bad, they got arrested by the Swiss, a country whose official policy on Nazi gold was, and I quote, ‘we’ll allow it.'” Watch.
  • As for FIFA leader Sepp Blatter, the AP reports he today missed a scheduled speech—his third skipped appearance in 24 hours as many clamor for his resignation and for tomorrow’s election (he’s up for a fifth term) to be delayed. What he has done, per the BBC: chaired an emergency meeting. The New York Times takes a look at Blatter, who “has been dodging scandals almost from the moment he was elected president … in 1998” in a piece worth reading.
  • Another New York Times piece worth a read: “Chuck Blazer, a Soccer Bon Vivant Laid Low.” He’s the former FIFA executive committee member who appears to have become a “cooperating witness.” When indictments were unsealed yesterday, the feds revealed Blazer pleaded guilty a year and a half ago.
  • The AP looks at American and Swiss investigators’ months-long preparations for the raids’ dramatic end point: FIFA’s annual congress in Zurich. The AP puts it dramatically: “Any leak could have given the game away, allowing international soccer officials to scramble out of Switzerland or time to destroy important evidence.” Read more.
  • At Politico, Josh Gerstein zeroes in on Loretta Lynch, who has gone from being “known mostly as the woman who couldn’t get an up-or-down vote on her nomination as attorney general” to making a “stunning debut” as the world watched. Read.
  • What’s next, in terms of extradition, additional arrests, and the Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 World Cups? This CNN guide has you covered. Read.
  • Still confused? John Oliver broke down FIFA’s corruption … last year. Watch.

Now you can talk like a pro……you are welcome!