FIFA officials arrested in Switzerland

[ukdobby 223]

Blatters got to go,Panarama did a programme 5 years ago showing corruption in FIFA with Warner being named and even if he's innocent Blatter has done nothing about this.

[Guest sibon]

I think the way ahead might be for European countries to break away and start their own association totally separate from FIFA, and with a totally transparent system of governance. European football is rich enough to do this. It could then allow other countries to leave FIFA and join in, bit by bit, if they are believed to be honest and are prepared to fit in with the new system.

 

This, absolutely.

 

Uefa should refuse to take part in any more FIFA competitions until the hierachy is cleansed. It would be relatively simple to organise an extra pan-european international competition to replace the next two world cups.

 

I imagine that such a competition might be very attractive to the sponsors who are currently getting cold feet over their relationship with FIFA.

 

Whatever happens, things changed yesterday, irrevocably and for the better.

[tzijlstra 11]

I agree that the UEFA needs to be far more proactive, however, I don't trust that lot either... Perhaps it is the best of a host of bad alternatives, I don't know...

[JFKvsNixon 11]

I agree that the UEFA needs to be far more proactive, however, I don't trust that lot either... Perhaps it is the best of a host of bad alternatives, I don't know...

 

Good point, remember that Platini was one of the driving forces behind Qatar's World Cup bid.

[Guest sibon]

Good point, remember that Platini was one of the driving forces behind Qatar's World Cup bid.

 

I'd forgotten about that.

 

This could be a very interesting set of dominos. The tactic seems to be arrest some suspects, lean on them hard, use evidence gained to arrest some more.

 

This could be a very interesting couple of months.

[JFKvsNixon 11]

I'd forgotten about that.

 

This could be a very interesting set of dominos. The tactic seems to be arrest some suspects, lean on them hard, use evidence gained to arrest some more.

 

This could be a very interesting couple of months.

 

Isn't that the FBI's Modus Operandus?

 

The people that are arrested will be offered a reduced sentence or even immunity if they can bring down the heads of FIFA. It'll work because after all FIFA isn't some organised crime gang, unless of course there is some serious organised crime backing up FIFA.

 

---------- Post added 28-05-2015 at 12:58 ----------

 

Platini has requested to Blatter that he step down, Blatter has refused. It occurred to me that this could be a part of a power play from Platini/Uefa. More here.

[tzijlstra 11]

Call me drastic, but the one thing I want to see change in football is the rampant commercialisation. If this affair means that organised football globally crumbles and we can have our game back, than thank the lord.

[ALAN 58 10]

No doubt F.I.F.A is a corrupt organisation, but there are countries who have benefitted too, so lets bring them to table also.

[tinfoilhat 11]

Call me drastic, but the one thing I want to see change in football is the rampant commercialisation. If this affair means that organised football globally crumbles and we can have our game back, than thank the lord.

 

I love your optimism. Will never happen though. I can't think of an organisation who has shunned commercial activity.

 

But back to the matter in hand. Blatter will get re-elected (I'm assuming there's nothing in the books stopping this arrested from voting) there's no doubt in my mind. But he might get arrested - would he feasibly run Fifa from prison?

[Harrystottle 10]

Platini has said UEFA may consider pulling European nations out of the World Cup if Blatter is re-elected. Good.

 

I read an article by a long-dead sportswriter called Ian Wooldridge back in the 70's about how the then head of FIFA, Joao Havelange, bribed the FA heads of poorer nations to vote for him. Blatter was Havelange's protégé.

 

Whoever gets to head up FIFA next has got to be honest.

[milquetoast1 10]

Listening on the radio and one bit of information struck me as a bit draconian and well out of order.

 

Apparently, if you deal through any US bank OR do a deal in US dollars, it is regarded as doing the transaction on US soil, even if you never set foot in the country!

 

Lets face it bank ownership isn't exact always crystal clear to everyone.

 

Glad these corrupt gits are receiving their comeuppance, but the US is getting a bit too all embracing for my taste.

 

It's always been so, not "getting a bit too all embracing" at all. It's their currency, and they won't let you trade with it if you use it in a way they don't approve of.

 

You would do the same with anything you lend out.

 

My company trades in dollars, and we, and our banks, have to adhere to the US's stringent sanction rules as a result. If one of our products was to be found in a product in a sanctioned country, in a product used against NATO armed forces, then we would never be able to borrow US dollars again. We would be out of business.

 

Same applies with with other countries currencies which are lent to trade, including GBP, it's simply that international fraudsters seem rather fond of the US dollar. Maybe bitcoins in future.

[taxman 12]

Breathtaking speech from Septic Bladder today, taking no responsibility for the years of corruption under his leadership. Instead he addressed the future, secure in his own personal conviction that he has a future in Fifa.

 

It was time to change, "for football, for the world, for peace", and he is the person to see that change through.

 

"It must fall to me to uphold responsibility for the well-being of the organisation."

 

You couldn't make it up.