[BostonCard]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soc.../27997783/

To paraphrase Casablanca, "“I’m shocked, shocked to find that bribery is going on here!”

BC

[BostonCard]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soc.../27997783/

To paraphrase Casablanca, "“I’m shocked, shocked to find that bribery is going on here!”

BC

[yvonne]

Corruption in FIFA? Say it isn't so!

[yvonne]

Corruption in FIFA? Say it isn't so!

[Mick]

"During a press conference, FIFA said it is cooperating with the investigation but otherwise quickly ruled out re-voting on where to hold the tournament that is watched by tens of millions of people around the world every four years."
Reminds me of Simon Cameron's (Lincoln's first Secty of War) old quote: "An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought."

[Mick]

"During a press conference, FIFA said it is cooperating with the investigation but otherwise quickly ruled out re-voting on where to hold the tournament that is watched by tens of millions of people around the world every four years."
Reminds me of Simon Cameron's (Lincoln's first Secty of War) old quote: "An honest politician is one who, when he is bought, will stay bought."

[winflop]

Meet the new boss...same as the old boss.


Won't matter how many of these clowns get convicted.  The ones who replace them will be just as bad if not worse because they will learn how their predecessors got caught.

[winflop]

Meet the new boss...same as the old boss.


Won't matter how many of these clowns get convicted.  The ones who replace them will be just as bad if not worse because they will learn how their predecessors got caught.

[BostonCard]

Meet the new boss...same as the old boss.


Won't matter how many of these clowns get convicted.  The ones who replace them will be just as bad if not worse because they will learn how their predecessors got caught.

In this case literally.  Sepp Blatter (FIFA's chief) wasn't among the ones indicted, and his re-election (which is all but assured) is scheduled for Friday.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/sports...-them.html

An election, seemingly pre-ordained to give Mr. Blatter a fifth term as president, is scheduled for Friday. A FIFA spokesman insisted at the news conference that Mr. Blatter was not involved in any alleged wrongdoing and that the election would go ahead as planned.

Love the FIFA spokesman.

BC

[BostonCard]

Meet the new boss...same as the old boss.


Won't matter how many of these clowns get convicted.  The ones who replace them will be just as bad if not worse because they will learn how their predecessors got caught.

In this case literally.  Sepp Blatter (FIFA's chief) wasn't among the ones indicted, and his re-election (which is all but assured) is scheduled for Friday.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/sports...-them.html

An election, seemingly pre-ordained to give Mr. Blatter a fifth term as president, is scheduled for Friday. A FIFA spokesman insisted at the news conference that Mr. Blatter was not involved in any alleged wrongdoing and that the election would go ahead as planned.

Love the FIFA spokesman.

BC

[gocard14]

[quote author=winflop link=topic=12176.msg119182#msg119182 date=1432730230]
Meet the new boss...same as the old boss.


Won't matter how many of these clowns get convicted.  The ones who replace them will be just as bad if not worse because they will learn how their predecessors got caught.

In this case literally.  Sepp Blatter (FIFA's chief) wasn't among the ones indicted, and his re-election (which is all but assured) is scheduled for Friday.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/sports...-them.html

An election, seemingly pre-ordained to give Mr. Blatter a fifth term as president, is scheduled for Friday. A FIFA spokesman insisted at the news conference that Mr. Blatter was not involved in any alleged wrongdoing and that the election would go ahead as planned.

Love the FIFA spokesman.

BC
[/quote]

I'm guessing they're employing the "arrest the little fish and flip them on the big fish" strategy. I'm guessing someone will take a deal and we'll hear about the boss getting arrested in not too long.

[gocard14]

[quote author=winflop link=topic=12176.msg119182#msg119182 date=1432730230]
Meet the new boss...same as the old boss.


Won't matter how many of these clowns get convicted.  The ones who replace them will be just as bad if not worse because they will learn how their predecessors got caught.

In this case literally.  Sepp Blatter (FIFA's chief) wasn't among the ones indicted, and his re-election (which is all but assured) is scheduled for Friday.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/sports...-them.html

An election, seemingly pre-ordained to give Mr. Blatter a fifth term as president, is scheduled for Friday. A FIFA spokesman insisted at the news conference that Mr. Blatter was not involved in any alleged wrongdoing and that the election would go ahead as planned.

Love the FIFA spokesman.

BC
[/quote]

I'm guessing they're employing the "arrest the little fish and flip them on the big fish" strategy. I'm guessing someone will take a deal and we'll hear about the boss getting arrested in not too long.

[Farm93]

FIFA is simply too powerful.  As Prof Zimbardo demostrated in the prison experiment good people can get seduced by the power of authority.  A FIFA official almost literally controls the most important entertainment vehicle in the world (the World Cup) & the most important sport in the world.  Hard not to fall victim to that power I suspect, and I suspect new officials will get seduced too even if they are great and honorable types now.

I still remember the 2018 & 2022 World Cup announcements.  When 2018 went to Russia people were stunned, but Russia was a credible second tier candidate at the time.  Then moments later Qatar was announced as the host of 2022 and people openly suspected something was up. 

Even the idea that the two cups were announced together was such a mistake as it created an enormous opportunity for collusion (and bribery).

[Farm93]

FIFA is simply too powerful.  As Prof Zimbardo demostrated in the prison experiment good people can get seduced by the power of authority.  A FIFA official almost literally controls the most important entertainment vehicle in the world (the World Cup) & the most important sport in the world.  Hard not to fall victim to that power I suspect, and I suspect new officials will get seduced too even if they are great and honorable types now.

I still remember the 2018 & 2022 World Cup announcements.  When 2018 went to Russia people were stunned, but Russia was a credible second tier candidate at the time.  Then moments later Qatar was announced as the host of 2022 and people openly suspected something was up. 

Even the idea that the two cups were announced together was such a mistake as it created an enormous opportunity for collusion (and bribery).

[Redrum]

After Russian troops (with insignia removed from uniforms, of course)  punch through the Ukraine to link up with that other land-grab, Crimea, will FIFA and the world have the balls to pull the plug on their hosting duties with the World Cup just 3 years away? 


I know!  They could move it to Brazil again after the Brazilian government promises, cross its heart and hope to die, really, really this time that the stadiums and supporting infrastructure will be completed.

[Redrum]

After Russian troops (with insignia removed from uniforms, of course)  punch through the Ukraine to link up with that other land-grab, Crimea, will FIFA and the world have the balls to pull the plug on their hosting duties with the World Cup just 3 years away? 


I know!  They could move it to Brazil again after the Brazilian government promises, cross its heart and hope to die, really, really this time that the stadiums and supporting infrastructure will be completed.

[Farm93]

After Russian troops (with insignia removed from uniforms, of course)  punches through the Ukraine to link up with that other land-grab, Crimea, will FIFA and the world have the balls to pull the plug on their hosting duties with the World Cup just 3 years away? 


I know!  They could move it to Brazil again after the Brazilian government promises, cross its heart and hope to die, really, really this time that the stadiums and supporting infrastructure will be completed.

FIFA really can't win as some places in the world will always feel like the process was unfair, though Qatar was a far from a quality selection.

If FIFA selects USA, Germany, France, England, Italy and Spain all of the time the rest of the world would scream that is not fair.  As most countries simply don't have club soccer stadiums (or american football stadiums) sitting around ready for use.

If FIFA selects emerging countries, then developed countries grumble when the stadium and infrastructure projects run over budget or are late.

At the time of those 2018 & 2022 selections FIFA was looking unbeatable.  USA, France, Korea/Japan, Germany, South Africa, Brazil (an upcoming host).  Russia was an odd UEFA pick since UEFA has plenty of other countries ready to go, but at the time Russia was stable with favorable logistics.  Qatar, however, was an awful pick from day #1.

Now Russia and Qatar both look like terrible picks.  Not sure which one will be worse for FIFA.  But at the time of the bids I suspect the committee thought any place would work.

[Farm93]

After Russian troops (with insignia removed from uniforms, of course)  punches through the Ukraine to link up with that other land-grab, Crimea, will FIFA and the world have the balls to pull the plug on their hosting duties with the World Cup just 3 years away? 


I know!  They could move it to Brazil again after the Brazilian government promises, cross its heart and hope to die, really, really this time that the stadiums and supporting infrastructure will be completed.

FIFA really can't win as some places in the world will always feel like the process was unfair, though Qatar was a far from a quality selection.

If FIFA selects USA, Germany, France, England, Italy and Spain all of the time the rest of the world would scream that is not fair.  As most countries simply don't have club soccer stadiums (or american football stadiums) sitting around ready for use.

If FIFA selects emerging countries, then developed countries grumble when the stadium and infrastructure projects run over budget or are late.

At the time of those 2018 & 2022 selections FIFA was looking unbeatable.  USA, France, Korea/Japan, Germany, South Africa, Brazil (an upcoming host).  Russia was an odd UEFA pick since UEFA has plenty of other countries ready to go, but at the time Russia was stable with favorable logistics.  Qatar, however, was an awful pick from day #1.

Now Russia and Qatar both look like terrible picks.  Not sure which one will be worse for FIFA.  But at the time of the bids I suspect the committee thought any place would work.

[Redrum]

[quote author=Redrum link=topic=12176.msg119194#msg119194 date=1432742265]
After Russian troops (with insignia removed from uniforms, of course)  punches through the Ukraine to link up with that other land-grab, Crimea, will FIFA and the world have the balls to pull the plug on their hosting duties with the World Cup just 3 years away? 


I know!  They could move it to Brazil again after the Brazilian government promises, cross its heart and hope to die, really, really this time that the stadiums and supporting infrastructure will be completed.

FIFA really can't win as some places in the world will always feel like the process was unfair, though Qatar was a far from a quality selection.

If FIFA selects USA, Germany, France, England, Italy and Spain all of the time the rest of the world would scream that is not fair.  As most countries simply don't have club soccer stadiums (or american football stadiums) sitting around ready for use.

If FIFA selects emerging countries, then developed countries grumble when the stadium and infrastructure projects run over budget or are late.

At the time of those 2018 & 2022 selections FIFA was looking unbeatable.  USA, France, Korea/Japan, Germany, South Africa, Brazil (an upcoming host).  Russia was an odd UEFA pick since UEFA has plenty of other countries ready to go, but at the time Russia was stable with favorable logistics.  Qatar, however, was an awful pick from day #1.

Now Russia and Qatar both look like terrible picks.  Not sure which one will be worse for FIFA.  But at the time of the bids I suspect the committee thought any place would work.
[/quote]


I know that FIFA's World Cup hosting awards now stretch out to the next millennium, but the new Potemkin Village cobbled together by Russia for the Winter Olympics in Sochi should be enough for any group-- FIFA, the Olympic Committee, the Fresno Chamber of Commerce-- to change the advance selection process to have hard completion waypoints with an alternative host country from previous Cup on standby.  I believe lots of countries would be proud and capable of being on-call for a World Cup windfall.  That formal alternative option, wouldn't be enough to stop Russia from it's Catherine the Great Broadway revival,  but at least it would keep us from rewarding bad actors with the biggest sports event on Earth...or maybe the galaxy.

[Redrum]

[quote author=Redrum link=topic=12176.msg119194#msg119194 date=1432742265]
After Russian troops (with insignia removed from uniforms, of course)  punches through the Ukraine to link up with that other land-grab, Crimea, will FIFA and the world have the balls to pull the plug on their hosting duties with the World Cup just 3 years away? 


I know!  They could move it to Brazil again after the Brazilian government promises, cross its heart and hope to die, really, really this time that the stadiums and supporting infrastructure will be completed.

FIFA really can't win as some places in the world will always feel like the process was unfair, though Qatar was a far from a quality selection.

If FIFA selects USA, Germany, France, England, Italy and Spain all of the time the rest of the world would scream that is not fair.  As most countries simply don't have club soccer stadiums (or american football stadiums) sitting around ready for use.

If FIFA selects emerging countries, then developed countries grumble when the stadium and infrastructure projects run over budget or are late.

At the time of those 2018 & 2022 selections FIFA was looking unbeatable.  USA, France, Korea/Japan, Germany, South Africa, Brazil (an upcoming host).  Russia was an odd UEFA pick since UEFA has plenty of other countries ready to go, but at the time Russia was stable with favorable logistics.  Qatar, however, was an awful pick from day #1.

Now Russia and Qatar both look like terrible picks.  Not sure which one will be worse for FIFA.  But at the time of the bids I suspect the committee thought any place would work.
[/quote]


I know that FIFA's World Cup hosting awards now stretch out to the next millennium, but the new Potemkin Village cobbled together by Russia for the Winter Olympics in Sochi should be enough for any group-- FIFA, the Olympic Committee, the Fresno Chamber of Commerce-- to change the advance selection process to have hard completion waypoints with an alternative host country from previous Cup on standby.  I believe lots of countries would be proud and capable of being on-call for a World Cup windfall.  That formal alternative option, wouldn't be enough to stop Russia from it's Catherine the Great Broadway revival,  but at least it would keep us from rewarding bad actors with the biggest sports event on Earth...or maybe the galaxy.

[Farm93]

The Sochi events were likely a positive at the time of the voting (December 2010).  The 2018 site was selected before a lot of the building at Sochi was completed.  In late 2009 the Russians were boasting that the major Sochi projects were ahead of schedule.  In 2010 FIFA likely imagined that if Russia would spend that much on minor winter Olympic sports in a small village then they would invest even more for venues and infrastructure in 6-8 major Russian cities for a FIFA World Cup.

Qatar, on the other hand, had so little going for it. Well, except for exceptionally wealthy people eager to win a major event.

[Farm93]

The Sochi events were likely a positive at the time of the voting (December 2010).  The 2018 site was selected before a lot of the building at Sochi was completed.  In late 2009 the Russians were boasting that the major Sochi projects were ahead of schedule.  In 2010 FIFA likely imagined that if Russia would spend that much on minor winter Olympic sports in a small village then they would invest even more for venues and infrastructure in 6-8 major Russian cities for a FIFA World Cup.

Qatar, on the other hand, had so little going for it. Well, except for exceptionally wealthy people eager to win a major event.

[BostonCard]

http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/4/bl...-with-fifa

http://www.economist.com/news/business-a...nstigation

A couple more articles.

BC

[BostonCard]

http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/4/bl...-with-fifa

http://www.economist.com/news/business-a...nstigation

A couple more articles.

BC

[fullmetal]

America: World Police.

This time, perhaps for the cause of good?

[fullmetal]

America: World Police.

This time, perhaps for the cause of good?

[Farm93]

America: World Police.

This time, perhaps for the cause of good?

USA may never host another major FIFA or IOC event.  Criminals generally don't hold their parties near police stations.

[Farm93]

America: World Police.

This time, perhaps for the cause of good?

USA may never host another major FIFA or IOC event.  Criminals generally don't hold their parties near police stations.

[jayasena]

A gem from a year ago on why people hate FIFA (still relevant here)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlJEt2KU33I

[jayasena]

A gem from a year ago on why people hate FIFA (still relevant here)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlJEt2KU33I

[oman]

USA may never host another major FIFA or IOC event.  Criminals generally don't hold their parties near police stations.

Too much up$$$ide in US Soccer. 

[oman]

USA may never host another major FIFA or IOC event.  Criminals generally don't hold their parties near police stations.

Too much up$$$ide in US Soccer. 

[Farm93]

[quote author=Farm93 link=topic=12176.msg119225#msg119225 date=1432757543]
USA may never host another major FIFA or IOC event.  Criminals generally don't hold their parties near police stations.

Too much up$$$ide in US Soccer.
[/quote]
Apparently not.  Remember QATAR beat the USA. 

Those dollars you reference would get shared with the FIFA masses.  FIFA voters are apparently far more concerned about more direct compensation...and now staying out of jail.

Eventually the USA will get a turn, but FIFA will need to purge quite a number of corrupt officials first.

[Farm93]

[quote author=Farm93 link=topic=12176.msg119225#msg119225 date=1432757543]
USA may never host another major FIFA or IOC event.  Criminals generally don't hold their parties near police stations.

Too much up$$$ide in US Soccer.
[/quote]
Apparently not.  Remember QATAR beat the USA. 

Those dollars you reference would get shared with the FIFA masses.  FIFA voters are apparently far more concerned about more direct compensation...and now staying out of jail.

Eventually the USA will get a turn, but FIFA will need to purge quite a number of corrupt officials first.

[Stymie]

[quote author=Farm93 link=topic=12176.msg119225#msg119225 date=1432757543]
USA may never host another major FIFA or IOC event.  Criminals generally don't hold their parties near police stations.

Too much up$$$ide in US Soccer.
[/quote]

Sorry, oman, but Farm93 is spot on.  Soccer is irretrievably corrupt in just about any part of the "football" world outside of the USA and Canada (and maybe Mexico and Australia and a few European nations).  Even British "football is seriously corrupt, from top to bottom, and has been for many years.

As Deep Throat said, "follow the money."  We US peons do not have a clue as to how much dirty money supports FIFA and all its minions.

[Stymie]

[quote author=Farm93 link=topic=12176.msg119225#msg119225 date=1432757543]
USA may never host another major FIFA or IOC event.  Criminals generally don't hold their parties near police stations.

Too much up$$$ide in US Soccer.
[/quote]

Sorry, oman, but Farm93 is spot on.  Soccer is irretrievably corrupt in just about any part of the "football" world outside of the USA and Canada (and maybe Mexico and Australia and a few European nations).  Even British "football is seriously corrupt, from top to bottom, and has been for many years.

As Deep Throat said, "follow the money."  We US peons do not have a clue as to how much dirty money supports FIFA and all its minions.

[Leftcoast]

We (the USA) are hardly squeaky clean here.  There were allegations after both the Salt Lake City and Atlanta games that the U.S. organizing committees participated in bribery in some level.

[Leftcoast]

We (the USA) are hardly squeaky clean here.  There were allegations after both the Salt Lake City and Atlanta games that the U.S. organizing committees participated in bribery in some level.

[Farm93]

We (the USA) are hardly squeaky clean here.  There were allegations after both the Salt Lake City and Atlanta games that the U.S. organizing committees participated in bribery in some level.

That's for sure.  However, the other countries are not threatening to jail the officials.

The US had a bid for 2018 but after "discussions" with UEFA and FIFA elected to drop their 2018 bid to improve their chances for a successful 2022 bid.

It was not as if the USA was some innocent sitting off on their own unfamiliar with the process.

I have very little love for FIFA or the IOC, but recognize that it would be very hard to not sell my vote for 7 figures if I lived in some of these developing nations with no real chance of ever hosting.  China, Canada, Germany, USA, Qatar?  Who cares?  Which one is offering the most money? 

I can easily see how that would happen.  And in a lot of the countries that idea of a monetary incentive is not really that illegal.

[Farm93]

We (the USA) are hardly squeaky clean here.  There were allegations after both the Salt Lake City and Atlanta games that the U.S. organizing committees participated in bribery in some level.

That's for sure.  However, the other countries are not threatening to jail the officials.

The US had a bid for 2018 but after "discussions" with UEFA and FIFA elected to drop their 2018 bid to improve their chances for a successful 2022 bid.

It was not as if the USA was some innocent sitting off on their own unfamiliar with the process.

I have very little love for FIFA or the IOC, but recognize that it would be very hard to not sell my vote for 7 figures if I lived in some of these developing nations with no real chance of ever hosting.  China, Canada, Germany, USA, Qatar?  Who cares?  Which one is offering the most money? 

I can easily see how that would happen.  And in a lot of the countries that idea of a monetary incentive is not really that illegal.