FIFA soccer officials arrested !

[denime]

FIFA officials arrested on corruption charges, face extradition to US (http://rt.com/news/262325-fifa-officials-arrested-corruption/)


FIFA soccer officials arrested as U.S., Swiss investigate corruption (http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/fifa-soccer-officials-arrested-as-u-s-swiss-investigate-corruption-1.3088927)


FIFA officials arrested in Switzerland as U.S. probes alleged bribery scheme (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/six-fifa-officials-arrested-in-switzerland-over-corruption-face-extradition-to-us/article24635824/)

[ensco]

Well, "Americans" may not have embraced soccer yet, but the FBI sure is a lot more interested than they used to be.

[Oblio2]

We used to laugh at the Yanks about "Soccer"...Now theyare saving our game!
Well played....

[Cashcleaner]

According to reports in both the Wall Street Journal (http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-prepares-criminal-indictment-alleging-corruption-at-soccer-body-fifa-1432698994) ($)and New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/27/sports/soccer/fifa-officials-face-corruption-charges-in-us.html), a number of FIFA officials were just arrested in Zurich, Switzerland, and according to the Times are expected to be extradited to the United States where they will face charges of “wire fraud, racketeering and money laundering.” The Times reports that the arrests are being made by Swiss authorities “at the request of the United States Justice Department.” At least ten FIFA officials are under indictment.

FIFA officials are currently arriving in Zurich for FIFA’s annual congress, which begins tomorrow. On Friday they will vote in FIFA’s presidential election, where FIFA president Sepp Blatter is expected to win his fifth four-year term, as he has the support of almost every non-European football federation. His only competition is Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, as former Real Madrid star Luis Figo, as well as Royal Dutch Football Association chairman Michael van Praag, dropped out of the election a week ago, with Figo saying (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32826308), “This process is anything but an election. This process is a plebiscite for the delivery of absolute power to one man - something I refuse to go along with.”

Among those charged are Jeffery Webb, the current President of CONCACAF; and Jack Warner, previous President of the confederation and former candidate for FIFA leadership.

Article continues here: deadspin.com (http://screamer.deadspin.com/reports-justice-department-brings-the-goddamn-hammer-d-1707109298)

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

and here: time.com (http://time.com/3897574/fifaarrests/)

[QBall]

Sepp Blatter either needs to be fired or resign.

[Globetrotter]

^innocent until proven guilty. All that's happened are arrests.

[Fort York Redcoat]

This will help soccer in Murica.

[ryan]

Sepp Blatter either needs to be fired or resign.

He has all the power he needs, entirely untouchable.

[Cashcleaner]

Federal Agents in Miami raid CONCACAF offices there:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGAbkLUVIAAouXx.jpg


While Swiss police in Zurich arrive at hotel to serve arrest warrants:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CF_CsUeWoAEHc9i.jpg

And reporters rush to FIFA Headquarters:

http://i.guim.co.uk/static/w-620/h--/q-95/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2015/5/27/1432725998764/799b2ec0-2867-4cda-8df1-382bdb6c2f8b-620x372.jpeg

[molenshtain]

This means little in the short term, but the guardian's saying the DOJ is investigating the awarding of both the 2018 and 2022 world cups. No one who had much to do, or was any where close enough to blatter, around the time of these events was arrested today. But, the DOJ has about a 95 percent conviction rate. These guys are all going to jail for a long time, and I think they'll be falling in line to rat on guys above them. Blatter's going down for this, eventually.

[Milanista]

shocking how everyone knows fifa is corrupt and bladder is the biggest POS on earth, yet nothing was ever done...FIGO was running for head of fifa I believe and said it is way too corrupt and wants to clean it up

[MKR]

this is awesome.

[BuSaPuNk]

shocking how everyone knows fifa is corrupt and bladder is the biggest POS on earth, yet nothing was ever done...FIGO was running for head of fifa I believe and said it is way too corrupt and wants to clean it up

Yep he was running and dropped out because of the corruption. Think about that for a second. A guy who's running on a platform to crub corruption drops out because of how corrupt the process is.

Eventually Blatter will make a misstep or have someone with the smoking gun come out.

[Alixir]

Boycott

[Detroit_TFC]

Sports management firm Traffic (and a key underwriter of NASL btw) deeply implicated in the DOJ RICO indictments. Aaron Davidson, Traffic Sports USA CEO and NASL chairman, one of those indicted.

[kwhisperer]

This means little in the short term, but the guardian's saying the DOJ is investigating the awarding of both the 2018 and 2022 world cups. No one who had much to do, or was any where close enough to blatter, around the time of these events was arrested today. But, the DOJ has about a 95 percent conviction rate. These guys are all going to jail for a long time, and I think they'll be falling in line to rat on guys above them. Blatter's going down for this, eventually.

It sounds like the turning point in the investigation came when one of the FIFA executive committee members started to cooperate, so it's easy to see that others will follow. This story looks like it's got a long way to go. This can only be good!

[Red CB Toronto]

Sports management firm Traffic (and a key underwriter of NASL btw) deeply implicated in the DOJ RICO indictments. Aaron Davidson, Traffic Sports USA CEO and NASL chairman, one of those indicted.

On the domestic front that is pretty worrisome as it makes you wonder about how the league will move forward, is another breakaway in the cards, especially if the MLS backed USL does put on a full court press for D2 status. Why if I am a successful business man for example Bob Young would I ever want to get involved with such a entity ala NASL.

[TOBOR !]

I almost drove off the road when I heard this on the news.

[TOBOR !]

^innocent until proven guilty. All that's happened are arrests.

the[head]sand

[Milanista]

It really is nuts...but with 7 people arrested, more to come...You just know these POS will rat on one another soon enough to save their butts

FIFA needs to be either abolished or completed gutted and rebuilt. Time to get the crap out of the game, would love to see the top leagues in the world simply say we will not send our players to anymore tournaments till things change. FIFA is not needed, let the top leagues run the tournaments


Yep he was running and dropped out because of the corruption. Think about that for a second. A guy who's running on a platform to crub corruption drops out because of how corrupt the process is.

Eventually Blatter will make a misstep or have someone with the smoking gun come out.

[ag futbol]

it would be funny if the CSA was implicated and we finally got reform... But I'm guessing they are just as bad at corruption as they are at developing the game in this country.

[portu]

^innocent until proven guilty. All that's happened are arrests.
Please don't play that card, it is concensus that FIFA is corrupt

[portu]

Press conference coming up now Sportsnet.ca and world

[TOBOR !]

Jeffrey Webb (Cayman Islands) - President of CONCACAF, member of FIFA Executive Committee

Eugenio Figueredo (Uruguay) - President of CONMEBOL, member of FIFA Executive Committee

Jack Warner (Trinida and Tobago) - President of CONCACAF from 1990 to 2011, former FIFA vice-president

Eduardo Li (Costa Rica) - President of the Costa Rican Football Federation, CONCACAF representative to FIFA

Julio Rocha (Nicaragua) - President of the Nicaraguan Football Federation, FIFA development officer

Costas Takkas (Cayman Islands) - Former general secretary of the Cayman Islands Football Association

Rafael Esquivel (Venezuela) - President of the Venezuelan Football Federation since 1988, member of the FIFA disciplinary committee

José Maria Marin (Brazil) - President of the Brazilian Football Confederation from 2012 to 2015, president of the 2014 FIFA World Cup committee

Nicolás Leoz (Paraguay) - President of CONMEBOL from 1986 to 2013

And five sports marketing execs:

Alejandro Burzaco (Argentina) - CEO of Torneos y Competencias, which owns various sports television channels and broadcasted Argentine domestic football matches from 1992 to 2009, and the 2006 World Cup

Aaron Davidson (United States) - President of Traffic Sports USA, which organizes and handles marketing for a variety of CONCACAF soccer events, like World Cup Qualifying and the Gold Cup. Chairman of the Board of the North American Soccer League, the soccer tier below MLS

Hugo Jinkis (Argentina) - President of Full Play, which owns some sort of rights (I am unclear which ones) to hundreds of South American soccer matches

Mariano Jinkis (Argentina) - CEO of Full Play, which owns some sort of rights (I am unclear which ones) to hundreds of South American soccer matches

José Margulies (Unknown) - Margulies is somehow involved with Traffic Sports

Warner, Marin and Leoz are no strangers to corruption allegations, that's for sure.

There are enough people here, and more to be named, to be able to bring down the house.

And I don't see Leoz or Warner staying loyal to Blatter after the way he turned his back on them.

[portu]

Going to be interesting regarding the admissibility of some evidence

[TOBOR !]

... and in case you're new to this, here's a thread detailing a fair bit (though not all) of FIFA shenanigans of the past few years.

You may recognize some of the names by the time it all blows over :

http://forums.redpatchboys.ca/showthread.php?29353-FIFA-Ex-Co-Corruption-Allegations-and-Investigations

[Redcoe15]

'Bout fuckin' time! Now let's see if anything comes about this and some corrupt lardasses, like Blatter, do some hard time behind bars.

[Beach_Red]

Warner, Marin and Leoz are no strangers to corruption allegations, that's for sure.

There are enough people here, and more to be named, to be able to bring down the house.

And I don't see Leoz or Warner staying loyal to Blatter after the way he turned his back on them.

Are they still saying they will be extradited to the USA? Maybe Conrad Black's cell is available...

[portu]

'Bout fuckin' time! Now let's see if anything comes about this and some corrupt lardasses, like Blatter, do some hard time behind bars.
It'll be surprising if anyone does any time behind bars

[Redcoe15]

^^Doubt it. A lot of those soccer haters in the States will just point to it and confirm their biases about why soccer sucks and why FIFA is not as clean and pure like other sports organizations. Like the NFL, NBA, and NCAA, just to name a few.

[Redcoe15]

It'll be surprising if anyone does any time behind bars

Yeah, I'll be surprised too.

[Milanista]

if the reported 100,000,000 in corruption money was used, you can bet ppl are going to jail


It'll be surprising if anyone does any time behind bars

[portu]

if the reported 100,000,000 in corruption money was used, you can bet ppl are going to jail
I guarantee you it will not be prison proper, white collar crimes are never punished to the same extent as violent ones. It'll be house arrest or "white collar" prison.

[TOBOR !]

What's worrisome to me is the regions where all the names are coming from.

Blatter may be cooperating with the authorities here and simply handing over sacrificial lambs.

FBI is happy and Blatter strokes his cat [cue maniacal laugh].

[Beach_Red]

I guarantee you it will not be prison proper, white collar crimes are never punished to the same extent as violent ones. It'll be house arrest or "white collar" prison.

Conrad Black's old cell.

[portu]

Conrad Black's old cell.
Pretty much

[portu]

This guy has to be 6'8" at least

[Cashcleaner]

Watching the FBI Press Conference now. The feds are feeling pretty happy with themselves. Using the words "corrupt" and "fraud" quite a bit. The IRS is also heavily involved. FBI is talking about tax evasion and money laundering now.

This is becoming much bigger as the minutes tick by.

[portu]

"This here today is the World Cup of fraud... And we are giving FIFA a red card"

#shotsfired

[ensco]

Qatar 2022 is now a 50/50 bet to be moved

https://betting.betfair.com/football/internationals/world-cup-2022-venue-change-odds-on-after-mass-arrests-270515-205.html

[Milanista]

if so many guys are corrupt, you would think the head of the most corrupt organization would be nailed as well.

[OgtheDim]

European based betting would bring that down. Real odds are probably still higher.

[TOBOR !]

you would think...

[TOBOR !]

McCown will be all over this later on The Fan590. He loves this shit. Expect Declan Hill to be on with him.

Appointment Radio.

[ensco]

European based betting would bring that down. Real odds are probably still higher.

Now that the corporate sponsors are named, I actually don't see how there isn't a revote.

Equally true for Russia btw.

[James17930]

What's worrisome to me is the regions where all the names are coming from.

Blatter may be cooperating with the authorities here and simply handing over sacrificial lambs.

FBI is happy and Blatter strokes his cat [cue maniacal laugh].

All this most likely will amount to.

Unless the 2018 and 2022 WCs get revoked, what will this really mean? Nothing.

[ensco]

No it's different this time. Adidas in particular will have huge problems, this stuff gets the German public agitated

You can't play the game without a program

http://qz.com/413137/the-fifa-corporate-sponsor-corruption-dashboard/

[James17930]

No it's different this time. Adidas in particular will have huge problems, this stuff gets the German public agitated



Let's hope so ... wait and see.

[C.Ronaldo]

Federal Agents in Miami raid CONCACAF offices there:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGAbkLUVIAAouXx.jpg


While Swiss police in Zurich arrive at hotel to serve arrest warrants:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CF_CsUeWoAEHc9i.jpg

And reporters rush to FIFA Headquarters:

http://i.guim.co.uk/static/w-620/h--/q-95/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2015/5/27/1432725998764/799b2ec0-2867-4cda-8df1-382bdb6c2f8b-620x372.jpeg

I love that the swiss showed up in Jeans

[cmonyoureds]

Basic overview on the whole situation.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/27/us/fifa-corruption-investigation-why/index.html

The tipping point seems to be Chuck Blazer giving up his buddies when confronted by the IRS on back taxes.
FBI and IRS I would imagine are in it to win it. The publicity for these agencies alone justifies the actions.

Get your popcorn, this could be AWESOME!!!

[ensco]

Let's hope so ... wait and see.

Yes

There are also a lot of people who have a lot of reasons to want to move both these world cups, and will have motives to use this now.

Putin and the Sheika would go wild, of course.

[C.Ronaldo]

Did the USA , of all countries, just fix soccer?

[denime]

This only proves that people working for fifa in Americas are croocked. All arested are from South, Central and North America,Marketing comp. from USA.This only shows that where Americans are involved ,there will be "lobbying"going on 100%. They do bribes(lobbying ) in D.C.,so why not in sports too.

[Beach_Red]

No it's different this time. Adidas in particular will have huge problems, this stuff gets the German public agitated

You can't play the game without a program

http://qz.com/413137/the-fifa-corporate-sponsor-corruption-dashboard/

"We’re looking at you, Coca-Cola, Adidas, McDonalds, Hyundai, Visa, Budweiser, and Gazprom. Well, maybe not Gazprom."

Maybe not Gazprom, that's funny.

[Red CB Toronto]

While there at it can we get the @TheJusticeDept (https://twitter.com/TheJusticeDept) to look into this a-hole?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGBhGIzUoAAEOTf.jpg:large

[GabrielHurl]

McCown will be all over this later on The Fan590. He loves this shit. Expect Declan Hill to be on with him.

Appointment Radio.

He's off this week - Blair is filling in for him

[Cashcleaner]

Did the USA , of all countries, just fix soccer?

New Signature time for me!

[Oblio2]

http://d.justpo.st/media/images/2015/03/13b9fbcd0d6da5294b1e74416629d2ec.jpg

[bigredone]

Only positives here:).......:(lest we forget:confused:.

[Red I]

Best joke i've heard so far...

"I tried to play FIFA today, but my XBox told me it was corrupted"

[kwhisperer]

I have a feeling this is going to get better and better and better.

Can't wait to get John Oliver's take on these latest developments!

[OgtheDim]

Blazer apparently rolled over 3 years ago and was wearing a wire during the London Olympics.

[C.Ronaldo]

all of a sudden, inflategate (or whatevr it was called) isnt such a big deal

[Chevy]

all of a sudden, inflategate (or whatevr it was called) isnt such a big deal

+1. Somewhere in a large mansion, with a supermodel close by, Tom Brady is smiling.

[OgtheDim]

Most people in the US will go "FIFA? Sounds like the name of a poodle." NFL is religionn for people down there and Brady is a Greek god with Zeus like behaviour issues.

[Globetrotter]

Please don't play that card, it is concensus that FIFA is corrupt

It's not really a card - I was replying to the comment "Sepp Blatter either needs to be fired or resign."

People are going to do corrupt things in private. As much as we like to think the top dog is a micro manager and knows the ins-and outs of everything, it's just not the case. Arrest does not mean Sepp should do anything now. If they're found guilty, and we see how he is involved or knowledge of what went on, then questions will be asked and he might be in a position to respond/react.

Sure, it's a consensus that people in and out of the soccer world have opinions about how corrupt Fifa, Olympics, etc might be - but there's a process that needs to be followed, which is now being fulfilled.

Coming from a legal background, my opinion is simply that nobody jump to conclusions or make any demands before the dust settles. If 10 people are arrested, and the reality is that 9 of them are truly guilty but one is entirely innocent - how horrible would it be, and what right does anyone have, to condemn or convict an innocent person...

Hope that justice prevails, and pieces will fall into place.

[barticusz]

UEFA calling for a postponement to the FIFA presidential election. This is getting more and more interesting.

[Beach_Red]

Most people in the US will go "FIFA? Sounds like the name of a poodle." NFL is religionn for people down there and Brady is a Greek god with Zeus like behaviour issues.

Most people in Canada will go "FIFA? Sounds like the name of a poodle." But if the bid system is cleaned up (even a little) then it might be easier to get people interested. Up until now every time someone mentioned a World Cup bid the response has always been, "Canada can't afford the bribes."

[ensco]

This thing is already into the US presidential campaign. Holy smokes.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/27/corrupt-fifa-has-clinton-foundation-ties-world-cup-host-qatar-gave-millions.html

[Milanista]

lol oh give me a break, FIFA is a joke and they don't deserve any breaks from the public. For god sakes they awared QUTAR a bloody world cup, when its over 50 degrees in the summer...that says it all about fifa and their POS ways


It's not really a card - I was replying to the comment "Sepp Blatter either needs to be fired or resign."

People are going to do corrupt things in private. As much as we like to think the top dog is a micro manager and knows the ins-and outs of everything, it's just not the case. Arrest does not mean Sepp should do anything now. If they're found guilty, and we see how he is involved or knowledge of what went on, then questions will be asked and he might be in a position to respond/react.

Sure, it's a consensus that people in and out of the soccer world have opinions about how corrupt Fifa, Olympics, etc might be - but there's a process that needs to be followed, which is now being fulfilled.

Coming from a legal background, my opinion is simply that nobody jump to conclusions or make any demands before the dust settles. If 10 people are arrested, and the reality is that 9 of them are truly guilty but one is entirely innocent - how horrible would it be, and what right does anyone have, to condemn or convict an innocent person...

Hope that justice prevails, and pieces will fall into place.

[OgtheDim]

5000 workers....real people with mothers, dads, brothers, sisters, wives and kids.....dead in Qatar so far.

No sympathy for these scammers. None.

[ensco]

Knives coming out for the sponsors on social media

http://fortune.com/2015/05/27/fifa-sponsor-logos/

[TOBOR !]

It's not really a card - I was replying to the comment "Sepp Blatter either needs to be fired or resign."

People are going to do corrupt things in private. As much as we like to think the top dog is a micro manager and knows the ins-and outs of everything, it's just not the case. Arrest does not mean Sepp should do anything now. If they're found guilty, and we see how he is involved or knowledge of what went on, then questions will be asked and he might be in a position to respond/react.

Sure, it's a consensus that people in and out of the soccer world have opinions about how corrupt Fifa, Olympics, etc might be - but there's a process that needs to be followed, which is now being fulfilled.

Coming from a legal background, my opinion is simply that nobody jump to conclusions or make any demands before the dust settles. If 10 people are arrested, and the reality is that 9 of them are truly guilty but one is entirely innocent - how horrible would it be, and what right does anyone have, to condemn or convict an innocent person...

Hope that justice prevails, and pieces will fall into place.

There's probably something here that will help you form an opinion on Sepp Blatter : http://www.transparencyinsport.org/

[Fort York Redcoat]

^innocent until proven guilty. All that's happened are arrests.


lol oh give me a break, FIFA is a joke and they don't deserve any breaks from the public. For god sakes they awared QUTAR a bloody world cup, when its over 50 degrees in the summer...that says it all about fifa and their POS ways

Justice isn't a break. It's a process and I hope they take their time to air out every piece of their dirty laundry so something is actually done.

[Milanista]

bang on, totally should of mentioned that. Blatter is the head of FIFA and is allowing this to happen, 1 death is already too many.

Complete joke, that POS should be in jail


5000 workers....real people with mothers, dads, brothers, sisters, wives and kids.....dead in Qatar so far.

No sympathy for these scammers. None.

[kwhisperer]

bang on, totally should of mentioned that. Blatter is the head of FIFA and is allowing this to happen, 1 death is already too many.

Complete joke, that POS should be in jail

Very true. Organizations like FIFA claim to be above, and even part of the solution to, politics yet are guilty of the worst, most cynical kind of politics. I don't know how far and how deep this scandal/investigation will go, but it would be great if the soccer world said in advance that, at very least, it won't be party to the Qatarstrophe.

[ag futbol]

The arrogance of Fifa is really something to behold. They are actually diluted enough to believe they are above the law and they'll "sort it out internally"? Lol.

They are toast. With this probe all US sponsorship money is in limbo. Coke et al can't fork over anything under these circumstances because of the criminal probe.

Watching these guys sweat will be fun - even if the ultimate punishment is going to a prison nicer than most of our houses.

[Milanista]

all it will take is the sponsor to say "enough!" Then FIFA will remove and clean house

[kwhisperer]

The arrogance of Fifa is really something to behold. They are actually diluted enough to believe they are above the law and they'll "sort it out internally"? Lol.

They are toast. With this probe all US sponsorship money is in limbo. Coke et al can't fork over anything under these circumstances because of the criminal probe.

Watching these guys sweat will be fun - even if the ultimate punishment is going to a prison nicer than most of our houses.


Interesting to see how this plays out with the Women's WC. As the article at TSN says, some FIFA folks might think twice about coming to Canada right now. Channeling Mr. Rogers: Can you say 'extradition'?

[Auzzy]

Another good joke I saw:


Swiss Police confirm that, when arrested, all seven FIFA officials threw themselves on the ground and pretended to be injured.

I think what will play a role here is that the European leagues are incredibly pissed that Qatar & Russia got the WC's, and not England for example -- and that the one WC will be rescheduled, screwing up their domestic leagues. Those include the most important & most profitable leagues in the world. (And the US is pissed of course as well with the way the WC's were awarded -- only somewhat important in terms of actual soccer interest, but key for the big international sponsors.) My point is, there is enough built up anger from important factions that hopefully the dam will start breaking. Blatter & Co have kept themselves afloat by bribing and placating a whole bunch of smaller nations & representatives. Hopefully the dominoes will start falling.

If not, I wonder if there will be serious attempt to boycott the Russia & Qatar WC's, pressure the sponsors, and all the rest. I love love love the WC, but I was already thinking I won't be watching those two unless there are changes.

[Milanista]

Diego Armando Maradona felt vindicated by the FIFA corruption arrests. “People said I was crazy!”
The ex-Napoli hero has been blasting FIFA and President Sepp Blatter for years and was not surprised this morning to see seven high-ranking officials arrested as part of an FBI investigation. (http://www.football-italia.net/66994/%E2%80%98bribes-2010-world-cup%E2%80%99)
“People said I was crazy!” he told Radio La Red in Argentina. “Today the FBI revealed the truth.
“FIFA has reserves of $1.5bn and there are players who earn no more than $150. Those liars were caught by surprise,” continued Maradona.
“Today there is no football, there is no transparency. Just lie to people and put on a show to re-elect Blatter.
“Now we’ll see if he gets re-elected after everything that happened. Where was Blatter when all this was going on?
"The Americans did an impeccable job and now people have to explain what’s been happening.
“The good will remain and I will take care of the bad personally. The money they earn ought to be used to build a training camp for African children.”
Maradona is no fan of UEFA either and slammed Michel Platini too.
“We want a man of football to be in charge. They came and tried to convince me with money, but I earn my money by working, not taking people for a ride.
“Platini? He is French, so if the wind blows left, he goes left. If the wind blows right, he goes right.”

[OgtheDim]

Another good joke I saw:




Norm Kelly's minions are shameless plagiarists. Between that and the blue BMO seats last week, I'd think twice about supporting the twitter antics his staff get up to. (No he doesn't do that stuff himself)

[kwhisperer]

Norm Kelly's minions are shameless plagiarists. Between that and the blue BMO seats last week, I'd think twice about supporting the twitter antics his staff get up to. (No he doesn't do that stuff himself)

I shared that supposed Kelly quote with a friend and he said he'd seen a million variants of it already.

[mistercorporate]

As much as it pains me to say it, since a US World Cup makes a Canadian World Cup unlikely in the medium term...Qatar needs to pay for that human rights travesty...such barbaric behaviour should never be rewarded. The Qatar 2018 should be cancelled and awarded to a more deserving party.

[Auzzy]

Norm Kelly's minions are shameless plagiarists. Between that and the blue BMO seats last week, I'd think twice about supporting the twitter antics his staff get up to. (No he doesn't do that stuff himself)


I shared that supposed Kelly quote with a friend and he said he'd seen a million variants of it already.

Wow I never thought that was our own douche bag Norm Kelly (or his Twitter account). I saw that on Facebook from a friend/soccer fan in California, who has absolutely nothing to do with Toronto, Canada, or Norm Kelly. For sure if I had noticed that I would have dropped the @norm tag. Hey I'll go & edit that post now... :D

[Fort York Redcoat]

As much as it pains me to say it, since a US World Cup makes a Canadian World Cup unlikely in the medium term...Qatar needs to pay for that human rights travesty...such barbaric behaviour should never be rewarded. The Qatar 2018 should be cancelled and awarded to a more deserving party.

2018 is Russia
2022 is Qatar

[Beach_Red]

As much as it pains me to say it, since a US World Cup makes a Canadian World Cup unlikely in the medium term...Qatar needs to pay for that human rights travesty...such barbaric behaviour should never be rewarded. The Qatar 2018 should be cancelled and awarded to a more deserving party.

Montreal got the Olympics in 1976 because it was a safe choice, neither the USSR nor USA (who got the '80 and '84 Olympics and promptly boycotted each other). Maybe Canada will be seen as the safe choice now, too.

[Fort York Redcoat]

Diego Armando Maradona felt vindicated by the FIFA corruption arrests. “People said I was crazy!”
The ex-Napoli hero has been blasting FIFA and President Sepp Blatter for years and was not surprised this morning to see seven high-ranking officials arrested as part of an FBI investigation. (http://www.football-italia.net/66994/%E2%80%98bribes-2010-world-cup%E2%80%99)
“People said I was crazy!” he told Radio La Red in Argentina. “Today the FBI revealed the truth.
“FIFA has reserves of $1.5bn and there are players who earn no more than $150. Those liars were caught by surprise,” continued Maradona.
“Today there is no football, there is no transparency. Just lie to people and put on a show to re-elect Blatter.
“Now we’ll see if he gets re-elected after everything that happened. Where was Blatter when all this was going on?
"The Americans did an impeccable job and now people have to explain what’s been happening.
“The good will remain and I will take care of the bad personally. The money they earn ought to be used to build a training camp for African children.”
Maradona is no fan of UEFA either and slammed Michel Platini too.
“We want a man of football to be in charge. They came and tried to convince me with money, but I earn my money by working, not taking people for a ride.
“Platini? He is French, so if the wind blows left, he goes left. If the wind blows right, he goes right.”

Wow. So Maradona was asked to run FIFA? No big loss with that racist comment of his...

[C.Ronaldo]

bang on, totally should of mentioned that. Blatter is the head of FIFA and is allowing this to happen, 1 death is already too many.

Complete joke, that POS should be in jail

we as fans have done a terrible job hightlighting this.

[Fort York Redcoat]

Montreal got the Olympics in 1976 because it was a safe choice, neither the USSR nor USA (who got the '80 and '84 Olympics and promptly boycotted each other). Maybe Canada will be seen as the safe choice now, too.

And we'll have to build a 60-80,000k stadium for it. But what would go in it after? What other sport could fit there and require that many seats???:yesnod:

[C.Ronaldo]

And we'll have to build a 60-80,000k stadium for it. But what would go in it after? What other sport could fit there and require that many seats???:yesnod:

european handball?
no, rollerhockey!

[Beach_Red]

And we'll have to build a 60-80,000k stadium for it. But what would go in it after? What other sport could fit there and require that many seats???:yesnod:

I don't know, you'll have to ask the good people of Ottawa where it will get built... ;)

[kwhisperer]

we as fans have done a terrible job hightlighting this.

There should be some good hooks for a campaign - maybe something based on their SayNoToRacism campaign. SayNoToSlaveLabor could be one way to put it.

[Detroit_TFC]

Montreal got the Olympics in 1976 because it was a safe choice, neither the USSR nor USA (who got the '80 and '84 Olympics and promptly boycotted each other). Maybe Canada will be seen as the safe choice now, too.

Makes sense. Need to have WC in NA. Awarding 2026 to US would now seem like a plea bargain outcome. Mexico is too out of control.

[billyfly]

Can the IOC be far behind?

[billyfly]

5000 workers....real people with mothers, dads, brothers, sisters, wives and kids.....dead in Qatar so far.

No sympathy for these scammers. None.


Wife there right now for 1 week closing off non-soccer related project from her work/industry. It was 49 C today.

[kwhisperer]

Makes sense. Need to have WC in NA. Awarding 2026 to US would now seem like a plea bargain outcome. Mexico is too out of control.

Man, Mexico would be a scary thought - although the FIFA folks would get along just fine with Shorty Guzman and his ilk.

[molenshtain]

It'll be surprising if anyone does any time behind bars

no it won't. The DOJ will convict every last one of them, and they'll all due time for fraud, bribery and corruption. They'll all spend time behind bars. Only factor is how much time they get off their sentence for ratting.

[kwhisperer]

no it won't. The DOJ will convict every last one of them, and they'll all due time for fraud, bribery and corruption. They'll all spend time behind bars. Only factor is how much time they get off their sentence for ratting.

I believe this. And people who take bribes are especially likely to sing like birds - I'm really hopeful this goes far and deep.

[Auzzy]

Oh boy Russia comments:

Russia criticizes USA’s ‘illegal’ FIFA probe
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/russia-criticizes-usas-illegal-fifa-probe/

Get fucked ya arseholes. Oh and the allegations so far concern things that took place in the US, so it's not "illegal extra-territorial implementation of American law."

[JonO]

This only proves that people working for fifa in Americas are croocked. All arested are from South, Central and North America,Marketing comp. from USA.This only shows that where Americans are involved ,there will be "lobbying"going on 100%. They do bribes(lobbying ) in D.C.,so why not in sports too.
Because bribery is a foreign concept is Europe, Africa, Asia, etc?

My understanding is that the CONCACAF reps were arrested by the American because there was proof that the corruption had occurred in the U.S. Don't think the FBI would have jurisdiction otherwise (but I am no expert, so don't know for sure). Will be interesting to hear the results of the Swiss investigation.

[Richard]

Everyone knows Central American Football is corrupt, these guys are not the big fish in the grand schema of things. Its about catching those EU execs and cronies around Blatter, thats why this is interesting, hopefully they all start ratting each other out.

I really don't understand why the top countries haven't boycotted FIFA already.

[Yohan]

how much do you want to bet someone at FBI and DOJ has a copy of Michael Garcia's report on WC bids?

[Richard]

The fact that report wasn't publicized fully should be enough reason to see why FIFA is utter shit.

Cant wait until that gets revealed with nothing redacted.

[molenshtain]

I'm just inserting Fifa executives into the Wolf of Wall Street in my head. It's great.

[notthesun]

This really is an incredible story and development. I'll be following this extremely closely.

[pdubs]

As Brunt points out, USA feds don't care about soccer. They care about blatantly laundering big money in the US financial system

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/fifa-scandal-represents-tipping-point-for-blatter/

If these guys who they arrested start to talk and link things up top, could get interesting. A few people already have in order to get all of this rolling. The Swiss investigation of corrupt bidding process is not a shared investigation but they seem to be working somewhat together. Wonder if is the starting point to end Blatter. I somehow doubt it tho. Even tho the election seems to be delayed he has a ton of countries in his back pocket (1 country, 1 vote. hmm)

[pdubs]

http://pmd.fan590.com/podcasts/pts/pt_20150527_181352--Prime-Time-Sports---May-27---5pm.mp3

First half of it, Blair and Brunt talk about it with a reporter. Think they will post the Hill interview soon.

[ag futbol]

As Brunt points out, USA feds don't care about soccer. They care about blatantly laundering big money in the US financial system

This is it right here. And to be blunt: they like to collect scalps. Wall Street justice proceedings have resulted in a lot of financial penalties and not enough perp walks for the public's liking.

If you are really cynical you might say governments like this as a distraction compared to doom-and-gloom of regular affairs (EU debt crisis, war against ISIS, etc..). They didn't drag MLB players in front of congress because that was the best use of everyone's time.

[Cashcleaner]

^ Well, if the IRS is as heavily involved as they are, what they REALLY want is their money. :D

[james]

awesome, I was surprised it took this long, everyone knew it was corrupt for years, some maybe even decades. Other surprising thing is that USA are involved in bringing them down, thought they didn't give a shit about the sport. Thought if anyone did it would be like a secret agent group in England or something. But I guess USA found there was lots of money going around, and maybe USA felt they weren't involved and weren't getting there share of the money, so they brought them down instead, g:D

[ensco]

Reading the overnight press: it's over.

This is today a story about Switzerland, and the sponsors. It's a serious black eye for Switzerland, who allowed this criminal gang to operate without oversight for decades. There are a lot of internationally organizations based there. The Swiss can shut FIFA down with the stroke of a pen now if they want. This is a power they never wielded historically (because they want to keep all those international organizations!) but this situation is now totally out of control and harming their "brand". So they may pull the plug, maybe even today.

In any event, I think if Blatter goes ahead with the election tomorrow, the sponsors walk en masse. They are getting killed for their stupid "statements". Really, the sponsors are gone unless Blatter is gone, period. So Blatter is gone. Which means there will be a re-vote on 2018 and 2022.

The Putin and Sheika reactions will be something to see. This has very serious geopolitical implications.

[pdubs]

Visa is threatening to pull out sponsorship. First so far.

"Demanding immediate steps to rebuild a "culture with strong ethical practices", Visa said: "Should FIFA fail to do so, we have informed them that we will reassess our sponsorship.""

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/fifa-sponsor-visa-threatens-quitting-amid-probe/

[ensco]

Big boys not waiting to come into this. Putin may invade a country or something. He spend hundreds of millions to get WC2018.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/02b4cdf8-04fb-11e5-8612-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3bR0hSW1i

[flatpicker]

When you have the UK Prime Minister asking Blatter to resign, and the Russian President giving Blatter support, it certainly makes it difficult to give old Sepp any benefit of doubt whatsoever.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32917364

[pdubs]

Jason Davis ‏@davisjsn (https://twitter.com/davisjsn) 2m2 minutes ago (https://twitter.com/davisjsn/status/603901707249147904)
The CAF and AFC, both of which have issued statements backing Blatter, amount to 103 votes. That's just 2 votes short of a majority.


Jason Davis ‏@davisjsn (https://twitter.com/davisjsn) 2m2 minutes ago (https://twitter.com/davisjsn/status/603902289309519872)
Jason Davis retweeted Jordan Drew
I'm sure there will be some dissenters. But the point is he only needs a handful to win.


I have always found the 1 country 1 vote thing to be strange. On the surface seems reasonable but it allows tons of smaller soccer nations to be paid bribed. Most nations who will never amount to anything have massive collective power on the game. Hopefully the arrests and political pressure may see Blatter dethroned.

Even with all this news breaking, we have stuff like this...just 9 hours old.
http://news.yahoo.com/soccer-world-shocked-fifa-raids-093546970--spt.html

"The Asian Football Confederation says it still supports Sepp Blatter's bid for another term as FIFA president, and opposes any move to delay Friday's scheduled elections in the wake of a string of corruption arrests of some of the federation's top officials.
In a statement on its website, the AFC expressed its "disappointment and sadness" at Wednesday's events but also said it "reiterates its decision taken at the AFC Congress in Sao Paulo in 2014 ... to support FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter."

[pdubs]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/uefa-wont-boycott-fifa-presidential-election/

"European soccer nations say they will not boycott the FIFA congress, where Sepp Blatter is up for re-election as president.Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney says UEFA backed down from its threatened boycott on Thursday, hours before the start of the congress."

[Richard]

Big boys not waiting to come into this. Putin may invade a country or something. He spend hundreds of millions to get WC2018.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/02b4cdf8-04fb-11e5-8612-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3bR0hSW1i

WW3 over football? Nah. It would be spectacular to see this organization crumble in just a matter of days. You're right, this is a black eye on the Swiss and it took the Americans to get this ball rolling, fun times ahead.

[flatpicker]

It's so insane that Blatter still gets all that support. It shouldn't even matter if he is innocent. He's the one in charge, and massive wrong doing happened during his watch. He was either part of the corruption, or he allowed it to happen through poor leadership. Regardless, it's madness to let him stay.

[Nodoubtguy]

It's so insane that Blatter still gets all that support. It shouldn't even matter if he is innocent. He's the one in charge, and massive wrong doing happened during his watch. He was either part of the corruption, or he allowed it to happen through poor leadership. Regardless, it's madness to let him stay.

Yup, He's either very involved, known about it and done nothing, or really bad at his job and had no idea. Either way he needs to go.

[Redcoe15]

It's so insane that Blatter still gets all that support. It shouldn't even matter if he is innocent. He's the one in charge, and massive wrong doing happened during his watch. He was either part of the corruption, or he allowed it to happen through poor leadership. Regardless, it's madness to let him stay.
Hopefully, sponsors pulling out will be the hint that FIFA needs to kick that fat bastard out of the organization and that the authorities drag his lard ass into a prison cell.

[Oldtimer]

For a bit of fun in all of this, a little bit of satire from the Telegraph:


Lucifer cleared of wrongdoing by Fifa ethics committee as Sepp Blatter awards 2026 World Cup to Hell

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/11229335/Exclusive-new-Fifa-report-go-and-give-them-hell.html

[Redcoe15]

Jon Stewart (soccer fan) has his say about the scandal on last night's Daily Show.

iEpgwlWH56I

[Redcoe15]

For a bit of fun in all of this, a little bit of satire from the Telegraph:



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/11229335/Exclusive-new-Fifa-report-go-and-give-them-hell.html

And The Onion is thinking "DAMN, why didn't we come up with that?!!"

[Alixir]

Jon Stewart (soccer fan) has his say about the scandal on last night's Daily Show.

iEpgwlWH56Ilol brilliant

[James17930]

https://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/the-internet-reacts-to-the-fifa-corruption-arrests-15-photos-8.jpg

[TOBOR !]

I find it amusing that the major sponsors are tsk-tsking and wagging their fingers at FIFA. They've been complicit in the whole thing. How else do you get to be a major FIFA partner other than by splashing great loads of cash about and doing favours for Sepp and his cronies ?

Yeah, maybe it's not the same thing as pocketing money intended for Haiti earthquake relief (see Jack Warner), but they knew the types of people they were dealing with and chose to do nothing about it. That is until now, because they have to, what with the cat being out of the bag and all.

[Beach_Red]

I find it amusing that the major sponsors are tsk-tsking and wagging their fingers at FIFA. They've been complicit in the whole thing. How else do you get to be a major FIFA partner other than by splashing great loads of cash about and doing favours for Sepp and his cronies ?

Yeah, maybe it's not the same thing as pocketing money intended for Haiti earthquake relief (see Jack Warner), but they knew the types of people they were dealing with and chose to do nothing about it. That is until now, because they have to, what with the cat being out of the bag and all.

So, business as usual?

[OgtheDim]

https://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/the-internet-reacts-to-the-fifa-corruption-arrests-15-photos-8.jpg


Yes that whole corruption done on US soil thing had nothing to do with it...... g:D

[Red I]

Yes that whole corruption done on US soil thing had nothing to do with it...... g:D

I think it was with US banks and US bank acounts - wiring/laundering dirty money through the states - it's not like some shady dude ended up on the shores of US and did some dirty business - the corruption existed outside of the US, but used US means of transferring/hiding money - they used the US to launder dirty money - although the Sports Marketing execs that were arrested prob did bribe people with US funds on US soil, so ya, maybe

[Cashcleaner]

Montreal got the Olympics in 1976 because it was a safe choice, neither the USSR nor USA (who got the '80 and '84 Olympics and promptly boycotted each other). Maybe Canada will be seen as the safe choice now, too.

In all honesty, do we even want it? If there's one thing this recent news has shown, it's that BILLIONS of dollars have been lost over the last few World Cups. Cities and nations have been left financially high and dry while FIFA and it's various partners and sponsors have made off like crooks. And that's not a metaphor - so far 14 of them have been charged with racketeering, wire fraud, tax evasion, and a host of other indictments. Knowing all that, is it logical to want in on a World Cup bid now?

Maybe we'll get lucky and this organization will right itself over the next few years, but I wouldn't hold my breath just yet on that.

[brad]

In all honesty, do we even want it? If there's one thing this recent news has shown, it's that BILLIONS of dollars have been lost over the last few World Cups. Cities and nations have been left financially high and dry while FIFA and it's various partners and sponsors have made off like crooks. And that's not a metaphor - so far 14 of them have been charged with racketeering, wire fraud, tax evasion, and a host of other indictments. Knowing all that, is it logical to want in on a World Cup bid now?

Maybe we'll get lucky and this organization will right itself over the next few years, but I wouldn't hold my breath just yet on that.

John Oliver's World Cup bit really highlights how raw a deal the World Cup is. Personally, I'd rather see it in the U.S. Cheap and close to get to.

[OgtheDim]

Shit just got real for CONCACAF.

http://www.thestar.com/business/2015/05/28/scotiabank-reviewing-its-soccer-sponsorship-in-wake-of-fifa-allegations.html

[Cashcleaner]

John Oliver's World Cup bit really highlights how raw a deal the World Cup is. Personally, I'd rather see it in the U.S. Cheap and close to get to.

It's somewhat ironic, but all the math suggests that these events can generate revenue. But it never ends up that way. Internal mismanagement, people skimming off the top, shady contracts being awarded, bad oversight, and trying to do everything by committee to appease as many people as possible is what creates all these cost overruns. The theory is sound, but the reality is far different.

[ensco]

This is worth reading as a backgrounder. The Times of London summarized their reporting in a brief to the UK Parliament.

http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/culture-media-and-sport-committee/the-2022-world-cup-bidding-process/written/15880.pdf

The bit about Beckenbauer supposedly selling his vote to the Russians hasn't really received the press it deserves, I suspect that is coming

[ag futbol]

It's somewhat ironic, but all the math suggests that these events can generate revenue. But it never ends up that way. Internal mismanagement, people skimming off the top, shady contracts being awarded, bad oversight, and trying to do everything by committee to appease as many people as possible is what creates all these cost overruns. The theory is sound, but the reality is far different.
I wouldn't say all the math, I'd say the shrills who produce economics studies with foredrawn conclusions (like cancerless cigarettes) certainly trumpet some cute figures. The independent research pretty much universally says you get hosed, every time, without exception and better investments are elsewhere.

Corruption or not the reality is people's desire to be blinded by sport means governments can buy popularity while making bad decisions. Take most pro sports in NA for example, nobody is going to accuse them of money laundering or fraud, but they hose the public constantly for funds while pocketing the benefits.

[james]

Montreal got the Olympics in 1976 because it was a safe choice, neither the USSR nor USA (who got the '80 and '84 Olympics and promptly boycotted each other). Maybe Canada will be seen as the safe choice now, too.

Montreal Olympics in 76 was corrupt tho to. The Montreal mafia did some dirty work and I believe were involved in things like the Expo 67 and 1976 Olympics construction and probably a lot of other things like bribing, laundering, exc. . Today the city Montreal are "trying" or at least they make it out to look that way, that they want to wipe the slate clean and cut ties with the mafia after many years of Montreal having a lot of major projects involving the Mafia. Tho I have read even more recently that there is an investigation into the construction of a new hospital at McGill University, as the Mafia are believed to still have the dirty hands in all sorts of major projects built in Montreal. I guess in this case tho, if the mafia is involved, well at least this time its a hospital they built! :D

[Blixa]

Should be a very eventful day tomorrow.

[Redcoe15]

We're all waiting for this. Now, it has arrived! John Oliver discusses FIFA's criminal indictments in his main story on last night's Last Week Tonight.

qr6ar3xJL_Q

[dupont]

We're all waiting for this. Now, it has arrived! John Oliver discusses FIFA's criminal indictments in his main story on last night's Last Week Tonight.

qr6ar3xJL_Q

haha that ending about the sponsors was fucking hilarious!

[C.Ronaldo]

hahahaha

bud light lime!

We were all thinking it, and then he came out and blantantly said it.

[WestStandGeoff]

Oh this is awesome... Jack Warner posts an online rant to defend himself, and uses an Onion article (http://www.theonion.com/article/fifa-frantically-announces-2015-summer-world-cup-u-50525)in his defense!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rhLFDF516Q

[flatpicker]

^ little late to the game Geoff. :rolleyes:

[C.Ronaldo]

a very rich idiot Jack Warner is

[Richard]

Some are saying he did that to pretend he has a mental illness, basically trying to pull the old man card to get out of jail.

[WestStandGeoff]

^ little late to the game Geoff. :rolleyes:

Huh??? I don't see that anyone else has provided that link yet, so not quite sure what you mean...

[Richard]

Burn it down to the ground.

FIFA admits it processed a $10 million payout to disgraced soccer official (http://www.globalpost.com/article/6568651/2015/06/02/football-fifa-denies-blatter-deputy-approved-10-million-payment)

Documents confirm $10-million payment to FIFA official (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/documents-confirm-10-million-payment-to-fifa-official/article24745973/)


The 2008 letter from South Africa authorizing the $10-million payment was addressed specifically to Jerome Valcke, the FIFA secretary general, the organization’s second-in-command behind its controversial president, Joseph “Sepp” Blatter. This is the closest that the bribery scandal has come to touching Mr. Blatter directly so far

This is the letter in question (https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGe9JLWU8AAfzyM.jpg)The heat is getting close to Blatter now.

[Richard]

Huh??? I don't see that anyone else has provided that link yet, so not quite sure what you mean...

Posted in the other thread.

[WestStandGeoff]

OK - didn't notice there was a parallel thread.

[OgtheDim]

BOOM

[Suds]

Wow!

He must be feeling the heat.

[cmonyoureds]

blatter resigns!!!!!

[Richard]

Ding Dong!

[nobodybeatsthewiz]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxzxQ0XL-jM

[ensco]

I posted this in the other thread Saturday (the day after the election). I got the first part right, we'll see about the more speculative parts.

I guess John Oliver is drinking that Bud Light Lime on TV next week!




Let's be realistic about the vote. It didn't matter.

Putin's statement yesterday was a show of force, and a threat. Nobody could be seen to be "voting" against Putin. This guy paid serious money for that 2018 WC, guys would literally be risking their lives to vote against Blatter and cause that to be reopened.

If a Russian gangster pays you off, you had better stay paid off.

For this reason I also think you will see declarations soon by Blatter's opponents, saying that, "whatever happened, it's too late to move 2018". Nobody wants to wind up dead over this.

The real action will move offstage now, Blatter will be gone in weeks (days?) and 2022 will be revoted. Not that there is a chance in hell that any of USA, England or Australia will get it. In fact I think it's most likely that Qatar would win it again, only this time their bid will include a couple of billion for the European leagues they are screwing over by playing in November.

Then it will be business as usual.

[reggie]

suddenly i have the urge to urinate:drum::flare:

[ensco]

I think maybe he was afraid he would get arrested here in Canada this weekend. He can fight extradition for a long time in Switzerland, but he'd be in jail without bail here or in the US.

[Red4ever]

And boom goes the dynamite.

[Richard]

Watch now as everyone spreads out as cockroaches, you just knew when the #2 guy was implicated he was good as gone. The US is going to be pushing hard for him to be turned over, they're in it to win.

[nobodybeatsthewiz]

"I have fought for reforms all these years, but was not allowed"? bahahaha


Maybe he needed the extra few days to destroy evidence

[Detroit_TFC]

Damn - did not expect that, not even a tiny bit. Figured Valcke was going to get tossed under the bus.

[Areathrasher]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGgtQgsUIAEdXRB.png

[Milanista]

Looks like Figo will try and run now

[C.Ronaldo]

I posted this in the other thread Saturday (the day after the election). I got the first part right, we'll see about the more speculative parts.

I guess John Oliver is drinking that Bud Light Lime on TV next week!

EWWWWWWWW
but he has to do it!, thats gonna be painful to watch

[Detroit_TFC]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGgtQgsUIAEdXRB.png

a thousand words...

[Beach_Red]

EWWWWWWWW
but he has to do it!, thats gonna be painful to watch

And look directly into the camera and say it's delicious. Painful.

[C.Ronaldo]

Looks like Figo will try and run now

really? would be nice to have a footballer in there.

the Prince would do it justice too

[flatpicker]

OK - didn't notice there was a parallel thread.

Sorry, would have mentioned it was another thread, but I got them confused. Hard to keep track of it all.

[OgtheDim]

Its going to be a guy like Platini.


Who was all for Qatar BTW. And can't get his own FA in France to vote against Blatter.

i.e. an insider

[Beach_Red]

Its going to be a guy like Platini.


Who was all for Qatar BTW. And can't get his own FA in France to vote against Blatter.

i.e. an insider

Why do you say that (I don't know anything about this, really, I'm just curious). Will the sponsors have any say?

[Redcoe15]

blatter resigns!!!!!



:flare::drum::pbjtime::party::party::party::pbjtim e::drum::flare:

[Batman]

Here's a link to the press conference at the time it actually starts..

https://youtu.be/JxzxQ0XL-jM?t=2473 (https://youtu.be/JxzxQ0XL-jM?t=2473)

[OgtheDim]

Why do you say that (I don't know anything about this, really, I'm just curious). Will the sponsors have any say?

Cause insiders still win in things like this. An insider who sounds like an outsider will win, so everybody feels better. Platini really is more against Blatter then for reform. (see Qatar)


Sponsors probably have had their say already.

[Jack]

Don Corleone out, Michael in?

[ag futbol]

Sponsors probably have had their say already.
I'm assuming the sponsors showed up at fifa's door and said their money was gone unless they see serious overhauls right away.

Fake reforms won't cut it - not when it comes to bribery and movement of money. Government is very, very serious about this. You can screw around with a lot of stuff, but this is their red line - even with banks .

[jloome]

I think maybe he was afraid he would get arrested here in Canada this weekend. He can fight extradition for a long time in Switzerland, but he'd be in jail without bail here or in the US.

As soon as they took his number two in for questioning but didn't charge, you had to figure it was to get him to turn over on Sepp and cut a deal, ala Chuck Blazer.

[jloome]

I'm assuming the sponsors showed up at fifa's door and said their money was gone unless they see serious overhauls right away.

Fake reforms won't cut it - not when it comes to bribery and movement of money. Government is very, very serious about this. You can screw around with a lot of stuff, but this is their red line - even with banks .

Well... not really. There are still so many loopholes in Canadian political finance law you can basically give as much money to any member as you like without him even declaring it as income. As long as he's not sitting as a cabinet minister and it's not used in an election race. There's a piece on the Democracy Watch page about it; all federal politicians have known about it for years. When someone leaked to the Hamilton Spec a few years ago that Tony Clement had had $250,000 deposited into a bank account in his name and that the money was never declared on his statement of income as an MP, he conceded it was true and when they asked for details he said "none of your damn business." Under Canadian law, he doesn't have to disclose it.

[jloome]

I'm surprised we haven't had the obligatory Luke Moore joke yet, that he'd run for it, but...

[Fort York Redcoat]

I'm surprised we haven't had the obligatory Luke Moore joke yet, that he'd run for it, but...

Don't

Feed...

[kwhisperer]

I'm surprised we haven't had the obligatory Luke Moore joke yet, that he'd run for it, but...


... being a corrupt sporting czar is too much like work.

[Sweeper]

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/news/special/2015/newsspec_11297/img/fifa_financial_accounts_976gr.png?cb=10000000003

[billyfly]

I'd like Figo to be in there.

[ensco]

https://mobile.twitter.com/TheOnion/status/605804791130816514

One turns in these moments to the only source that really can cover these events ....

[ag futbol]

Well... not really. There are still so many loopholes in Canadian political finance law you can basically give as much money to any member as you like without him even declaring it as income. As long as he's not sitting as a cabinet minister and it's not used in an election race. There's a piece on the Democracy Watch page about it; all federal politicians have known about it for years. When someone leaked to the Hamilton Spec a few years ago that Tony Clement had had $250,000 deposited into a bank account in his name and that the money was never declared on his statement of income as an MP, he conceded it was true and when they asked for details he said "none of your damn business." Under Canadian law, he doesn't have to disclose it.
Not to pull rank here, but these standards are very close to the environment where I work every day. Post 9/11 the U.S. became very serious about this stuff and tightened the hatches down. They went after a host of Swiss banks, offshore tax havens, and others who were caught washing money for Mexican drug cartels etc...

Tony Clement's experience doesn't fall in the same bucket. It's not regulator driven and its more so under Canadian laws than US. Of course there are still a class of people out there who can get around this stuff, but I'd suggest FIFA isn't included in that.

They are an easy soft target to be made an example of. It's like MLB being dragged in front of congress to talk about steroid usage. The prosecutors like the scalp and the press it receives. Compared to going after financial types who lobby heavily this is an easy "get".

[jloome]

Not to pull rank here, but these standards are very close to the environment where I work every day. Post 9/11 the U.S. became very serious about this stuff and tightened the hatches down. They went after a host of Swiss banks, offshore tax havens, and others who were caught washing money for Mexican drug cartels etc...

Tony Clement's experience doesn't fall in the same bucket. It's not regulator driven and its more so under Canadian laws than US. Of course there are still a class of people out there who can get around this stuff, but I'd suggest FIFA isn't included in that.

They are an easy soft target to be made an example of. It's like MLB being dragged in front of congress to talk about steroid usage. The prosecutors like the scalp and the press it receives. Compared to going after financial types who lobby heavily this is an easy "get".

Oh, no doubt ag, no doubt; but the point is that government allows a lot, as long as it's within the political ranks, not the bureaucracy, or the NGOs, or the private sector. ANd on the latter it would often rather take the deal than fight for the principle, even in Canada.

[flatpicker]

Fifa's Sepp Blatter 'under investigation in US' (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-32986950)

[molenshtain]

Fifa's Sepp Blatter 'under investigation in US' (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-32986950)



doesn't really make sense to me, unless the DOJ think they can get Blatter on crimes committed in the states or through US banks. Otherwise they don't have jurisdiction. A lot more likely the US have a ton on him but it'll be the Swiss who finally take him down.

[__wowza]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/03/sports/soccer/sepp-blatter-to-resign-as-fifa-president.html
uhh.. he's resigning.
everyone get in.
http://i.imgur.com/GVFbI3L.gif

[ensco]

While we are cleaning up Concacaf, could we please see some serious penalties for the gross lack of sportsmanship and dangerous crap that goes down in every single game in this region?

Your fans use laser pointers, you forfeit a WCQ game.

Your fans throw shit, you forfeit a WCQ game.

Your fans interfere in any way with team buses, you forfeit a WCQ game.

[__wowza]

While we are cleaning up Concacaf, could we please see some serious penalties for the gross lack of sportsmanship and dangerous crap that goes down in every single game in this region?

Your fans use laser pointers, you forfeit a WCQ game.

Your fans throw shit, you forfeit a WCQ game.

Your fans interfere in any way with team buses, you forfeit a WCQ game.


they have similar sanctions for champions league and league play, i don't see why it doesn't happen on an international level.

[ensco]

^This thing that is happening with buses is seriously frightening. Someone will get killed soon.

I remember when the CMNT had their bus blockaded on the highway in from the airport in Panama for 5 hours or something, Panama should have been thrown out of FIFA for 5 years for that.

[Redcoe15]

And John Oliver is ready to celebrate.

https://twitter.com/iamjohnoliver/status/605800436440768513/photo/1

[TOBOR !]

FIFA Revenue and Outgoings

Source : FIFA

That is all.

[GuelphStorm2007]

I can see Michel Platini , Luis Figo, and Prince Ali Hussien vying for the top job.

[Newell]

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifa-scandal-executive-committee-member-admitted-bribes-1.3099168
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2485338-chuck-blazers-guilty-plea-in-fifa-scandal-unveiled-latest-details-reaction#articles/2485338-chuck-blazers-guilty-plea-in-fifa-scandal-unveiled-latest-details-reaction
Executive committee member admitted bribes, Chuck Blazer received money for 2010 World Cup vote

[denime]

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifa-scandal-executive-committee-member-admitted-bribes-1.3099168
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2485338-chuck-blazers-guilty-plea-in-fifa-scandal-unveiled-latest-details-reaction#articles/2485338-chuck-blazers-guilty-plea-in-fifa-scandal-unveiled-latest-details-reaction
Executive committee member admitted bribes, Chuck Blazer received money for 2010 World Cup vote

And 1998 too.

[Oldtimer]

Jack Warner ready to spill the beans on Sepp:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/jack-warner-disgraced-ex-fifa-vp-threatens-to-spill-secrets-1.3099689

[C.Ronaldo]

that was fast, way to vice grip Warners nuts

Warner seems to still think he is the good guy in all this

[Redcoe15]

http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/804/904/716.png

[ensco]

Lots of work to do in Concacaf

https://www.the-newshub.com/football/honduras-u20-football-team-under-investigation-for-match-fixing

[Red I]

Lots of work to do in Concacaf

https://www.the-newshub.com/football/honduras-u20-football-team-under-investigation-for-match-fixing

Goddamn it, CONCACAF!!

As much as people are clamouring on twitter about African nations and Asian nations perpetuating the old system, we got so many many asshats on this side of the globe, they are just as complicit, and just as important a spoke in that shady wheelwheel, let's not lose sight of that

[Auzzy]

For sure CONCACAF is corrupt as hell. But note also that the US is mostly investigating & indicting so far, so they'll be looking for connections to the US, and CONCACAF will be the most likely.

I just hope a few other nations start getting serious about this as well. Let's see where the Swiss go with their investigation. I hope once the first guys start spilling the beans, the US passes on the info where appropriate, and other countries do their part.

[denime]

For sure CONCACAF is corrupt as hell. But note also that the US is mostly investigating & indicting so far, so they'll be looking for connections to the US, and CONCACAF will be the most likely.

I just hope a few other nations start getting serious about this as well. Let's see where the Swiss go with their investigation. I hope once the first guys start spilling the beans, the US passes on the info where appropriate, and other countries do their part.


US is corrupt as much as COCNCACRAP and rest of the World.

FFS they legislated bribe by changing the name to lobbying,and that how Washington is run for last few decades,US corporates and banks are part of this FIFA investigation because they are no different then FIFA,corupt,money londering crooks.




Brazil soccer probe to put harsh glare on Nike, other sponsors (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/brazil-soccer-probe-to-put-harsh-glare-on-nike-other-sponsors/article24817868/)


FIFA’s hush money to Ireland over Henry handball is worst insult of all (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/fifas-hush-money-to-ireland-over-henry-handball-is-worst-insult-of-all/article24816616/)


Bribery scandal follows FIFA to Canada (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/bribery-scandal-follows-fifa-to-canada/article24814696/)

[ensco]

I think maybe he was afraid he would get arrested here in Canada this weekend. He can fight extradition for a long time in Switzerland, but he'd be in jail without bail here or in the US.

http://sport.bt.com/sport-football/news/fifa-to-confirm-blatter-travel-plan-S11363985041176?

[ag futbol]

I thought it was funny that the CSA got roasted at their WWC presser. While I doubt they dipped into the trough with the rest of them you can see how uncomfortable they are talking about accountability.

Interesting nugget out of the article covering that was the pro clubs voted against victor in the last election and were backing another candidate.

[ensco]

I thought it was funny that the CSA got roasted at their WWC presser. While I doubt they dipped into the trough with the rest of them you can see how uncomfortable they are talking about accountability.

Interesting nugget out of the article covering that was the pro clubs voted against victor in the last election and were backing another candidate.

I wouldn't assume anything one way or the other. The things going on here are mindboggling. The USSF rep got bunged a Trump Tower apartment that he used for his cats!

I'd wait to let the facts speak.

[James17930]

Interesting to see a FIFA official saying this ... I had read elsewhere that it was too late to do anything about Russia:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33041467

[ensco]

Interesting to see a FIFA official saying this ... I had read elsewhere that it was too late to do anything about Russia:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33041467

I don't see anyone leading a campaign to reopen 2018. The people in these circles all know this story, and others like it.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/scot-young-bankrupt-property-tycoons-friends-believe-he-was-murdered-by-russian-mafia-9918027.html

[GuelphStorm2007]

Concacaf is pretty corrupt, we all know that and what makes me even more angry is that the U.S. Benifited a lot during the past 25 years or so.

[molenshtain]

Concacaf is pretty corrupt, we all know that and what makes me even more angry is that the U.S. Benifited a lot during the past 25 years or so.

did they, though?

[Redcoe15]

John Oliver keeps his word:

fXyWCQeLxrc

[GuelphStorm2007]

did they, though?

Yes a lot of decsions off the field seemed to go there way, On the field they always host the Gold Cup it is made for them to go the finals along with Mexico, even when I have watched them play they always seem to have penalty's that is during Concacaf play. And even against us who can forget 2007 Gold Cup semi final, and 2012 Olympics womens semi final.

[Milanista]

Haaa apparently seth bladder was banging ronaldo's ex g.f haaaaaaaa SI model!!!!

[Redcoe15]

John Oliver addresses the people of Trinidad and Tobago about Jack Warner:

alwba8V1csY


And Jack Warner fires back at the "American"

bB7CBxfRUaw


This should make for a good response on Sunday's show.

[flatpicker]

^ Warner's soundtrack is very dramatic. I was expecting Thor to show up.

[PopePouri]

John Oliver addresses the people of Trinidad and Tobago about Jack Warner:

alwba8V1csY


And Jack Warner fires back at the "American"

bB7CBxfRUaw


This should make for a good response on Sunday's show.

I don't want this feud to end.

[james]

http://newsjunkiepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Ma7HodH-Imgur.jpg

[C.Ronaldo]

I don't want this feud to end.

all that needed was ...BRING it, dont sing it!

[Oldtimer]

http://ca.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idCAKBN0OX0UJ20150617

[denime]

Swiss attorney general cites 53 possible money-laundering incidents in FIFA World Cup probe (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/swiss-attorney-general-cites-53-possible-money-laundering-incidents-in-fifa-world-cup-probe/article24995949/)

[Eleven]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/fifa-sepp-blatter-andrew-jennings-corruption/

[Initial B]

I can't believe they're still trying to defend Blatter. This is not going to end well for the organization when they have the lead reform investigator making statements like this:

https://sports.vice.com/en_us/highlight/fifa-reform-commissioner-defends-blatter-calls-soccer-in-us-an-ethnic-sport-for-girls-in-school

[kwhisperer]

I can't believe they're still trying to defend Blatter. This is not going to end well for the organization when they have the lead reform investigator making statements like this:

https://sports.vice.com/en_us/highlight/fifa-reform-commissioner-defends-blatter-calls-soccer-in-us-an-ethnic-sport-for-girls-in-school


"FIFA Reform Committee" - says it all right there. It's like OJ looking for "the real killer."