The Real Football Thread

[Archieboy]

Amster,
Would love to have Bielsa lead our trips in europe next season

COYI

 

[mrhender]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/27/sports/soccer/fifa-officials-face-corruption-charges-in-us.html?_r=0

First Blatter was rumoured arrested as well, but now it seems he was not..

Excerpt:

FIFA Officials Arrested on Corruption Charges; Face Extradition to U.S.

The charges allege widespread corruption in FIFA over the past two decades, involving bids for World Cups as well as marketing and broadcast deals, according to three law enforcement officials with direct knowledge of the case. The charges include wire fraud, racketeering and money laundering, and officials said they targeted members of FIFA’s powerful executive committee, which wields enormous power and does its business largely in secret.

 

[sniper]

Re:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/27/sports/soccer/fifa-officials-face-corruption-charges-in-us.html?_r=0

First Blatter was rumoured arrested as well, but now it seems he was not..

Excerpt:

FIFA Officials Arrested on Corruption Charges; Face Extradition to U.S.

The charges allege widespread corruption in FIFA over the past two decades, involving bids for World Cups as well as marketing and broadcast deals, according to three law enforcement officials with direct knowledge of the case. The charges include wire fraud, racketeering and money laundering, and officials said they targeted members of FIFA’s powerful executive committee, which wields enormous power and does its business largely in secret.

seems to me the Swiss would have done dipshit if it wasn't for American involvement here.

 

[python]

Re: Re:

sniper wrote:

seems to me the Swiss would have done dipshit if it wasn't for American involvement here

my 1st reaction was that it's about time fifa was cleaned up... their gigantic corruption is barely hidden.

my 2nd reaction - the potential political facility of such world-wide cases brought by the us.

if so,it would not be the first nor the last. here's the quote from the article in the regard:

United States law gives the Justice Department wide authority to bring cases against foreign nationals living abroad, an authority that prosecutors have used repeatedly in international terrorism cases. Those cases can hinge on the slightest connection to the United States,

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

As an American who likes the sport but doesn't follow it much aside from the World Cup, I've often gotten the impression that most fans shrug at FIFA's longstanding issues with corruption (not just Euro fans, but fans everywhere). It also seems in some ways fans take it as part of the story, part of the hype, the way things are. Not that they want it to be corrupt, but there just doesn't seem to be the harsh reaction and push for swift justice there is with US sports.

Not that there's no corruption in US sports, ha! Far from it. But the reaction from the fans seems to be different.

 

[sniper]

Re: Re:

sniper wrote:

seems to me the Swiss would have done dipshit if it wasn't for American involvement here

my 1st reaction was that it's about time fifa was cleaned up... their gigantic corruption is barely hidden.

my 2nd reaction - the potential political facility of such world-wide cases brought by the us.

if so,it would not be the first nor the last. here's the quote from the article in the regard:

United States law gives the Justice Department wide authority to bring cases against foreign nationals living abroad, an authority that prosecutors have used repeatedly in international terrorism cases. Those cases can hinge on the slightest connection to the United States,

two true points.
i wonder how much vigor the FBI/US justice dep. will show in this case.
usada going after Ferrari/Bruyneel and Leinders did a good job in restoring some of my faith in the US justice system as a whole. (not sure if the US justice dep. should get any credits for that, but still, creds for the system as a whole)
If the FBI bring down Blatter, I'm gonna start wearing US flags and apply for US citizenship.

 

[sniper]

Re:

As an American who likes the sport but doesn't follow it much aside from the World Cup, I've often gotten the impression that most fans shrug at FIFA's longstanding issues with corruption (not just Euro fans, but fans everywhere). It also seems in some ways fans take it as part of the story, part of the hype, the way things are. Not that they want it to be corrupt, but there just doesn't seem to be the harsh reaction and push for swift justice there is with US sports.

Not that there's no corruption in US sports, ha! Far from it. But the reaction from the fans seems to be different.

indeed, corruption in sports administration seems much more lucrative and low-risk than corruption in politics.

 

[python]

Re: Re:

sniper wrote:

seems to me the Swiss would have done dipshit if it wasn't for American involvement here

my 1st reaction was that it's about time fifa was cleaned up... their gigantic corruption is barely hidden.

my 2nd reaction - the potential political facility of such world-wide cases brought by the us.

if so,it would not be the first nor the last. here's the quote from the article in the regard:

United States law gives the Justice Department wide authority to bring cases against foreign nationals living abroad, an authority that prosecutors have used repeatedly in international terrorism cases. Those cases can hinge on the slightest connection to the United States,

two true points.
i wonder how much vigor the FBI/US justice dep. will show in this case.
usada going after Ferrari/Bruyneel and Leinders did a good job in restoring some of my faith in the US justice system as a whole. (not sure if the US justice dep. should get any credits for that, but still, creds for the system as a whole)
If the FBI bring down Blatter, I'm gonna start wearing US flags and apply for US citizenship.

based on everything i read and saw in the european media, blatter is SAFE. the 1st reports say the investigation found no connections to him...the euro football chief platini, i understand, has gone into blatter opposition. this could be important.

as for the us justice system, as i said in another post, this is the only branch of their govt i still believe in. though, i find it very curious that the multi-year fbi investigation has blown up just in time for the fifa president vote what a coincidence !?

the usada and armstrong affair were the result (in part) of the strength of the us justice and (mostly) the noble efforts of several americans (chiefly tygart) facilitated by the system integrity.

i wish the fbi concerns itself with the fis (my no.1 sport) officials...perhaps then, the norges would lose some of their ski prepping secrets

 

[WildspokeJoe]

This question is pointed at my brethren and sistren across the pond. (or anyone where else for that matter)

As an American who truthfully only follows the sport on a cursory level, how big of a deal is this around the world on a scale of 1 to 10? One: "barely news" to Ten "all fans are talking about."

Does it bother you or are you happy that it is the US government that is going after these officials?
Thanks for your response

 

[Amsterhammer]

Re:

This question is pointed at my brethren and sistren across the pond. (or anyone where else for that matter)

As an American who truthfully only follows the sport on a cursory level, how big of a deal is this around the world on a scale of 1 to 10? One: "barely news" to Ten "all fans are talking about."

Does it bother you or are you happy that it is the US government that is going after these officials?
Thanks for your response

Let me see - today's news is a very big deal for those of us who follow the game closely, and very big news in countries like England and Holland, who have been in the vanguard of the anti-Blatter movement.

You need to understand one fundamental point - everybody, and I mean literally everybody, who loves the game is convinced that Blatter and his top aides are utterly corrupt. Therefore, anything that looks like it might prevent his reelection for another four years, and break his stranglehold on world football, is a 'good thing'!

Everything you need to know can be found here -

http://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2015/may/27/fifa-officials-arrested-on-corruption-charges-live

 

[Amsterhammer]

Re:

As an American who likes the sport but doesn't follow it much aside from the World Cup, I've often gotten the impression that most fans shrug at FIFA's longstanding issues with corruption (not just Euro fans, but fans everywhere). It also seems in some ways fans take it as part of the story, part of the hype, the way things are. Not that they want it to be corrupt, but there just doesn't seem to be the harsh reaction and push for swift justice there is with US sports.

Not that there's no corruption in US sports, ha! Far from it. But the reaction from the fans seems to be different.

The main difference is that soccer is more global than any US sport. Every country on the planet is a member of FIFA, and Blatter and cronies have been dishing out favors for decades, so most representatives of smaller, Third World countries, who cast votes in the election for FIFA president, are in Blatter's 'debt'. Those of us who follow the game closely are as convinced of Blatter's systemic, and systematic corruption, as those who suspected Lance early on were.

Blatter and his cronies are a blight on the game. Blatter will be reelected without the votes of any major Euro countries, all of whom have 'dropped' him. Whatever happens, this is a fascinating, important, and utterly welcome, development in the fight to get rid of Blatter and everything that he has stood for. My fervent hope is that one of more of those arrested will turn on Blatter in exchange for leniency.

 

[The Hitch]

But Blatter hasn't got his nobel peace prize yet

 

[Amsterhammer]

“The indictment alleges corruption that is rampant, systemic and deep-rooted both abroad and here in the United States. It spans at least two generations of soccer officials who, as alleged, have abused their positions of trust to acquire millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks.”

Loretta Lynch

 

[l.Harm]

Re:

As an American who likes the sport but doesn't follow it much aside from the World Cup, I've often gotten the impression that most fans shrug at FIFA's longstanding issues with corruption (not just Euro fans, but fans everywhere). It also seems in some ways fans take it as part of the story, part of the hype, the way things are. Not that they want it to be corrupt, but there just doesn't seem to be the harsh reaction and push for swift justice there is with US sports.

Not that there's no corruption in US sports, ha! Far from it. But the reaction from the fans seems to be different.

Perception here is anti-Blatter/FIFA. He should be brought down, if it's the US government, who cares. Unfortunately in Asia, Africa and South-America they don't really care about these issues.

 

[BigMac]

In Europe everyone is anti-Blatter: At home, at the cafe, and on the internet.

What a disgrace football has become. Cheaters on the field, charlatans on the throne. Rings some bells, though.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Solid first step by the Americans, but lets see how far they can take this.

 

[sniper]

Russia criticizes America's actions regarding FIFA.
lol.
http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/fifa-skandal-russland-verurteilt-us-einmischung-a-1035880.html

 

[Amsterhammer]

 

[gooner]

Andrew Jennings has just put out a very interesting tweet today. For those who may not know, he did great work in his BBC panorama program on this as well as his book Foul a few years back. FIFA tried to stop that publication in the past.

AndrewJennings ‏@AAndrewJennings
I gave the FBI the crucial documents that triggered yesterday's arrests. There will be more to come. Blatter is a target.

 

[blutto]

....find below an interesting article on the FIFA brouhaha ...though it as well could just be someone seeing an odd coincidence and then grasping at straws....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"
Arrests by US as FIFA mulls giving Israel boot

27 May 2015


FIFA, world football’s governing body, is due to meet this Friday in Zurich to decide whether to back a Palestinian motion to suspend Israel for its systematic violations of Palestinian footballers’ rights in the occupied territories, including preventing practice sessions and games, arresting players, denying entry to other teams, and bombing grounds, as well as for endemic racism towards non-Jewish players in Israeli football itself. I have written about this in the past: here and here.

Although a 75% majority is needed for the Palestinian motion to carry, there has been a growing sense that the mood at FIFA is shifting the Palestinians’ way. Israel and the US are, of course, deeply worried. Such a move would have strong overtones of the sports boycott against South Africa and further reinforce the idea that the description of Israel as an apartheid state holds. It would also disrupt FIFA tournaments Israel is due to host in the coming months, causing great embarrassment to Israel and FIFA’s president, Sepp Blatter.

Meanwhile, almost everyone quietly acknowledges that FIFA is corrupt from head to toe, and has been for as long as the game has been another branch of the big-business entertainments industry. Just think how impossible it would have been for a body not profoundly infected with corrupt practices to have backed desert emirate Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 tournament – in the middle of its stifling summer.

Today, however, the US decided it was time to call a halt to FIFA’s corruption. It ordered the high-profile arrest and extradition of six senior FIFA officials on corruption charges dating back to the early 1990s. The operation at the FIFA officials’ Zurich hotel, as they waited for Friday’s vote, was covered in detail by leading US media organisations after they were tipped off beforehand. Apparently it has taken the US the best part of 20 years to get round to doing the paperwork to make the arrests.

Doubtless, none of this was designed to have – or will have – the slightest effect on FIFA officials as they contemplate whether to infuriate Israel and the US by booting Israel out of world soccer.

In the meantime, you can try to shore up FIFA’s resolve by signing a petition here.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.658271

UPDATE:

Anyone who doubts how seriously Israel is taking the threat of being ousted from FIFA and how actively its supporters are working behind the scenes at the world body should read the comments of Avi Luzon, Israel’s representative to UEFA, European football’s governing body. Ominously, he says UEFA’s support for Israel is sown up and suggests that UEFA will prevent Israel’s suspension whatever the outcome of the vote.


I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: UEFA will not let Israel be harmed, especially as there is no reason for it. An agreement has been reached on a four-point draft that is acceptable to [Israeli PM Benjamin] Netanyahu, [UEFA president Michel] Platini, [FIFA president Sepp] Blatter and now [Palestinian soccer chief] Jibril Rajoub.

In the worst case scenario, if the Palestinians do not agree to pull the proposal and the congress is held as planned, UEFA will prevent the suspension of Israel in a very clear way. From the conversations with important people, face to face here in Warsaw, I can say without a doubt that concern over Israel’s suspension through a vote will not happen.

http://www.haaretz.com/life/sports/1.658317
.- See more at: http://www.jonathan-cook.net/blog/2015-05-27/us-arrests-as-fifa-mulls-giving-israel-boot/#sthash.XHvkzE8i.dpuf
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

....and isn't it funny that the most much more corrupt crook, Blatter, has not been touched ( and just coincidently Blatter opposes the suspension...and you just know he is going to be re-elected... )....and then this bit of weirdness...

"Also, just by chance, reporters and photographers of the New York Times happen to be in that very Swiss hotel lobby, at 6 am, to capture the incident live:..."

....oddly, the corruption fighting DOJ has not gone after any major TGTF banker/Wall Sreet exec who operates in what could easily be defined as a the biggest bubbling cauldron of corruption the world has ever seen...

Cheers

 

[sniper]

@amsterhammer, lol
@gooner: yes, that's interesting. (he was blowing the whistle a couple of years ago already, sad to see so much time go wasted...)

 

[Stingray34]

Smoke, meet Fire:

After Lance, NIKE seem to be present at an awful lot of questionable deals.

http://www.espnfc.com.au/fifa-world-cup/story/2471069/nike-denies-knowingly-participating-in-bribes-or-kickbacks

 

[Dazed and Confused]

And the FIFA congress elects Blatter once again. There is nothing to see, move on.

 

[ebandit]

no wonder seb blatter was elated...........he knows what a great earner it is............best of all when those below him

can carry the can................

Mark L

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Laughably predictable outcome. Reminds me of some of the communist "elections" during the Cold War times.

As to Nike, in all the marketing/advertising/production work I have done in some 25+ years, they were the absolute worst to deal with. No one else comes close. Their list of sponsored athletes reads like the who's who of morally bankrupt individuals.