FIFA fo fum

FIFA fo fum

So the Hosts of the World Cup are about to be chosen.

I hope it doesn't go to penalties.

FIFA hit by another leadership crisis as investigation begins into Ricardo Teixeira

Transparency International (TI) have asked for an independent enquiry of FIFA - From the article there seems precious little chance of that yet.

... awaiting confirmation from other source - not that there's any wrong within FIFA of course.

This was reported a couple of weeks ago but I missed it at the time.

Fifa under fire from the Swiss

Switzerland: Transparency and tax for Fifa and Sepp Blatter

With president Sepp Blatter already under fire from Karl-Heinze Rummenigge, head of the European Club Association – who said this week: "The president of Fifa has to be a fair, a serious and a very democratic gentleman ... Is he fit for all these requests? I am not convinced that is true." – Fifa now also find themselves no longer welcome in their adopted home, Switzerland, reports newspaper, Tages Anzeiger.

Originally posted by string:

The award of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar came as a surprise, not least because of the extreme heat that prevails in Qatar during the World Cup period.

So far Qatar is not being affected my recent problems in the Middle East, but who knows, it might not even be there in 2022

England out to 'destroy' Fifa presidency, claims Blatter

Just because someone is paranoiac it doesn't mean they're not out to get him.

Except in my case?

Originally posted by jbrothernew37:

Except in my case?

No need to be paranoid about it!

Having been unaware that "Britain" had a permanent post of Vice President on the FIFA executive I cannot honestly say that I am in trembling that this singular honour should be removed (see Boyce warns Britain could be stripped of FIFA vice-presidency over Blatter re-election although I cannot resist remarking that since, according to that link, the Britain's post has been "held since saving FIFA from financial ruin after the Second World War", I would hope that FIFA can now help the UK in the UK's hour of financial need. A Vice Presidency must be worth a lot of money, the way things are are.

Meanwhile the UK is not endearing itself to FIFA, with this type of criticism: You're a joke! England World Cup chief blasts 'laughable' FIFA as he demands reform. No doubt FIFA is taking this all to heart.

Note that a "Plan of Action", or some such, is to be presented on October 21st (see first link).

Fifa president Sepp Blatter set for U-turn over Fifa bribes probe

The documents relate to a criminal investigation into the collapse of Fifa's former marketing partner International Sport and Leisure (ISL) and are believed to show that senior Fifa officials were paid kickbacks in return for granting ISL lucrative World Cup television and sponsorship rights during the 1990s.

This matter has been a bit of a "ticking time bomb", as some have called it and risks alienating Blatter from some of the FIFA Executive who were in post at the time. It is, however, a sign that Blatter is prepared to take some real action. The publications will show whether some of the allegations made against FIFA were well based.

Other matters are also coming to a head: This link gives further links to more information.

This link gives further links to more information..

There is simply too much coming out to comment on everything.

Eh?!

Originally posted by jbrothernew37:

Eh?!

Sometimes people have to look for themselves!

Meanwhile: Fifa and Sepp Blatter agree to look again at ISL financial scandal This report gives some information on the "Plan of Action" promised by FIFA for the 21st. What is reported is hardly impressive. In my last previous post I reported Fifa president Sepp Blatter set for U-turn over bribes investigation. The author of the link was under the impression that FIFA would allow the facts to be published, which is how I reported it. However, that is apparently not the case. The facts will be released but not generally but to an "independent" body which will report back to FIFA who will then release what they care to release. In other words FIFA can "hide" anything it wants. This merely perpetuates the well-founded impression that FIFA is incapable of full transparency. Blatter still can't understand that selective transparency is not the same as transparency. Rumours and innuendos are sure to persist.

The impression remains that FIFA has more than it's fair share of corruption. The investigation which is needed is not for isolated events, it should take into account the process by which people are elected to the committee, how they are vetted and how misdemeanours are identified and dealt with and whether there are any other problems out there which need to be addressed. It should also look at the competency of the FIFA Management. It's report should be made public, not filtered through some self-obsessed FIFA committee. In other words there should be an independent body reviewing FIFA not some internal FIFA "Task Force".

I noted, in passing, that concerning the the still-secret "infamous ISL court dossier", "Blatter" ((who is Swiss)) "added: "The court has said there are people involved but no Swiss people only foreign people."" How comforting, how transparent!

I can see I'm going to have to pay more attention to this game. What kind of stick is used? Is it anything like hockey or chess?

Originally posted by jbrothernew37:

I can see I'm going to have to pay more attention to this game. What kind of stick is used? Is it anything like hockey or chess?

The players hug each other and the spectators hit each other.

Originally posted by tt92:

The players hug each other and the spectators hit each other.

Something like D&D?

Originally posted by jbrothernew37:

Originally posted by tt92:

The players hug each other and the spectators hit each other.

Something like D&D?

Hooligans are far less brutal then that. Trust me

As corruption charges proliferate, Fifa opens proceedings against 10 more Caribbean football officials, the plot thickens with this report from Reuters: Call to bar any corrupt officials from World Cup preparations. The Brazilian Government should heed Andrew Jennings' warnings on their being associateship with officials suspected of corruption. Andrew Jennings is a long term investigator of Fifa and has had much of his work aired on the BBC, the most remarkable one being just before the vote took place on the hosts for the World Cups of 2018 and 2022, an expose which certainly helped to scupper the England bid at the time. Unpalatable investigations are not always welcome it seems. No surprise there! If the Brazilian Government do not take heed they can be fairly sure of a carefully timed Panorama program on the substance of Jennings' remarks.

FIFA: Legal problems delay kickbacks case document

The content of this maybe/maybe not disclosure must have been known to FIFA for some time. One really has to wonder what valid reason there could have been for keeping quiet about its contents for so long.

Originally posted by string:

One really has to wonder what valid reason there could have been for keeping quiet about its contents for so long.

Indeed.

Smells like massive corruption.

Not all news is bad it seems;

FIFA closes Makudi land deal investigation

Meanwhile, an odd idea to mull over;
Guns for goalposts? Fifa mulls Brazilian plans for World Cup disarmament drive

Vindictive accusations or the crumbling of a reputation? - or something else?

Time will tell.

Jack Warner is reported to be claiming that he was sold TV Rights in exchange for 1 Dollar and a commitment to support Blatter during the latter's election to FIFA office.

Take you pick of the sources

More disclosures are promised for next week apparently.

If his claims are true, one wonders why Warner waited so long; he has promised "disclosures" before.

The charges are significant and need to be investigated, as seems to be the case. One hopes that the FIFA Ethics Committee can act in an independent way and will uncover, and publish, the truth of the matter.

I'll get to the bottom of this or my name isn't Rjhowie!

I think string is training for a new career as a tv sport commentator.
I like his style, short but lethal. Mr Blatter your time is coming...

... or going.

Just to emphasise that all this is not just an "English Plot", an Indian report on comments from Germany;
Bayern chief assails FIFA president Blatter

Incidentally, I reported earlier that Frank Warner had promised further revelations this week. I have not seen any so far, but then Warner has promised such things before and not delivered at the time. It must be difficult to judge the most advantageous timing to release such things. Visitors to this thread might remember the report on the Swiss Legal Case of some years back reported earlier - FIFA had stated they would allow its publication (sort-of/perhaps). Now they have been ordered to do so. It would appear that one reason for it's non release has been objections by "objections from one of the parties involved", but to FIFA's credit it is also reported that FIFA will not appeal the Swiss Courts Order.
Fifa ordered to release ISL documents by Swiss court[/url[

FIFA strikes back

Warner played false says Fifa

The murky story goes on; it is very difficult to know who to believe, if anybody; but what is clear is that FIFA needs a real house cleaning and a sea change in the way it does business. As with any house cleaning a good new broom is helpful.

The current allegations of underhand deals in relation to the election of the FIFA President had drawn a comment from Lennart Johansson, a former candidate for the Presidency (defeated by Blatter). The following article is well worth reading.

Former Fifa president hopeful alleges vote-buying.

His comments are nicely balanced I think and, IMHO, get to the heart of the matter, namely that this whole business of suspicion and innuendo regarding shady goings on at FIFA should be investigated by a truly independent investigator.

Up to Warner's claims of a couple of weeks ago I had not heard of any direct claims of wrong-doing by Blatter and am still not inclined to think along those lines; but Blatter should realise that the way to protect FIFA is not to brush things aside but to face accusations squarely, deal with them openly, and then move on.

The ISL documents (related to the collapse of ISL, which went bankrupt in 2001 - mentioned in an earlier post above) were ordered to be released some time ago but it has been reported that one FIFA Executive has appealed against the release - Beleaguered Teixeira to appeal against release of ISL documents so there may be some further delay. The report is expected to name officials who were involved in some way with corruption at the time and it's publication has been blocked for some years by FIFA.

The report, when it is eventually published (if published in full), will provide a case study of corruption which will be useful for a new anti-corruption body, the Independent Governance Committee, which is starting its work under the chairmanship of Mark Pieth. His aim is to make strong and explicit recommendations to Fifa. Apparently he expects resistance to the committee's recommendations. See Fifa must show a red card to corruption. Note: if you have trouble looking at this link, try Googling "Fifa must show a red card to corruption"

In the meantime it is reported that FIFA Inspires Change in Swiss Corruption Legislation After Bribery Scandal; it is not clear if "inspired" is a positive or negative connotation for FIFA. (*)

Pele is also putting his oar in the water:
Time to clean up FIFA from top to bottom, says Pele

(*) Footnote:
Some may remember the BBC Panorama Programme (or have heard of it) (which alleged that three Fifa World Cup officials took bribes). In it the BBC alleged wrongdoing by FIFA Officials including Teixeira. The allegations were dismissed out of hand by Blatter who insisted that the matter had been dealt with - there had been a Swiss Court Case and no-one had been found guilty of any crime. What he did not say, as far as I am aware, is that Bribery done by FIFA Officials was not a crime in Switzerland at the time. But one has to assume that Bribery is wrong and against the FIFA rules. The matter was thus swept under the carpet (or it was attempted to do so) and the BBC castigated. The Rooks are now coming home to roost. Following the court case two FIFA officials - whose names have not been divulged - reportedly paid back 5.5 million Swiss francs.

Well, that last post pretty much de-muddied it for me. Thanks, Mr. String.

Originally posted by jbrothernew37:

Well, that last post pretty much de-muddied it for me. Thanks, Mr. String.

I still can't understand the thread's title...
(but I was too ashamed of saying it...)

Originally posted by Belfrager:

Originally posted by jbrothernew37:

Well, that last post pretty much de-muddied it for me. Thanks, Mr. String.

I still can't understand the thread's title...
(but I was too ashamed of saying it...)

"Fe fi fo fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman," from "Jack in the Beanstalk".

And in Shakespeare's King Lear in the line,
"Fie, foh, and fum, I smell the blood of a British man."

Shakespeare purloined material from everybody!

Sorry about that Belfrager, the title would be a bit obscure for a non Anglo-Saxon! Jaybro is right!

But I could not resist the pun at the time, the English being somewhat under fire by FIFA, and I had this premonition! So the title seemed appropriate.

When the English are under fire, Jaybro is under fire. Long live the Queen.

Ah, English folklore... I was close, I thought that it should be some song for children or something of the sort.
Ok, thank you.

I think most in the UK associate it with Jack & the Beanstalk, so it's a sort of children's rhyme.

However, just to get back on track, the business at FIFA is not a FIFA vs England thing, FIFA's crisis is something that effects the whole Football world, so every country that plays the sport.

Meanwhile, back at the farm,

Sepp Blatter: Michel Platini is ready to replace me as Fifa president

An interesting comment - one has to wonder if change is on the horizon any time soon.

On the matter of Warner's claims that "he was given World Cup TV rights for one US dollar in return for supporting Blatter's presidential hopes in 1998 and 2002", Blatter is reported as stating "From 1986 and until 1998 he (Warner) was awarded the television rights for one dollar by Mr Canedo ....... Why? Because Mr Canedo wanted to keep the vice-presidency of Fifa and Mr Warner had a majority in Concacaf."

Accepting Blatter's statement, which I'm inclined to do, there still remains the matter of governance concerning shady goings on around FIFA for which the President is ultimately responsible.

Strange, in Dutch these are his words

Ting-tang-tongetje
Ik ruik een sappig jongetje!
Is hij levend, is hij dood,
Ik smeer hem vrolijk op mijn brood!

Ting, tong, (little) tongue
I smell a juicy young boy
Is he alive, is he dead
Joyfully, I('ll) spread him on my bread!

The English original seems somewhat more gruesome in its formulation.

The article linked below is probably the most comprehensive analysis I have yet seen on the current situation regarding investigations of corruption within FIFA. It lists several issues which the authors feel should be investigated. It is turgid reading, but a glance though it will be enough to get the message.

The real road map: investigate corruption in FIFA, what should be happening?

FIFA fo what in hell.

CAIRO (AP) — At least 74 people were killed and hundreds injured after soccer fans rushed the field in the seaside city of Port Said Wednesday following an upset victory by the home team over Egypt's top club, setting off clashes and a stampede as riot police largely failed to intervene.

The Inquisition was more civil!

Those who have been waiting for the publication of the report on the ISL scandal (a "dossier naming football officials who took kickbacks from World Cup broadcast deals") will have to wait a little longer, according to:
FIFA corruption case goes to Swiss Supreme Court which reports that objections have been made to the report being made public by now, 5 separate people (whose identity must be made confidential). The report states that "The Swiss Federal Tribunal said on Thursday that it has opened five separate case files. The cases are likely to take several months to process".

It is to be noted that FIFA have the report and therefore no reason whatsoever not to take its findings into account during any "clean-up" or reorganisation which is needed within FIFA or indeed any necessary disciplinary action.

A curious story:
Warner dismisses FIFA talk about missing aid money

Originally posted by the above report:

In a statement sent to the international news agency, Reuters, FIFA said that US$250,000 had been wired to the TTFF at Warner's request following the Haiti earthquake, but the Haiti federation said it had only received US$60,000.

It is to be noted that Warner denies any wrong-doing but nevertheless the goings-on at FOFA get curiouser and curiouser. Regardless of whether anyone has done wrong, such a question should not be hanging around all this time. One has to wonder if there are other such happenings at FIFA as yet undeclared/discovered.

edit: after I posted this I meandered a bit on the www and found this:
Police raid football body: World Cup players seize assets

The deeper one digs ....

Originally posted by string:

The deeper one digs ....

The deeper one gets?
"Hello, sir. You look uncannily Chinese."

This is a curious situation; wounded egos on both sides methinks:
Brazil spat with FIFA brings uncertainty over WCup

Regarding the last post;
FIFA's Valcke apologises to Brazil in World Cup row.
Hardly an apology I think, nevertheless it is clarified that:

...... in French the phrase "se donner un coup de pied aux fesses" (to give someone a kick up the backside) only meant "to pick up the pace". The translation into Portuguese used a stronger expression, he added.

Would that be an in-swinger (or is that cricket?)?

Perhaps our resident Portuguese football expert can elucidate on how bad the translation was. It does not sound particularly diplomatic according to the English Translation.

One can only sit back and wonder at these strange goings-on; maybe also a small giggle.

Back to Mallorca with you!

Partly cloudy
11°c
(52°f)

Actually, not much warmer than in tropical Grand Rapids.

I cannot talk about the meaning of the original sentence in French. The translation in Portuguese was somewhat vulgar, but not as offensive as the minister of sports tries to make it seem.
It's the same old story. If you cannot reply to what was said, reply to how it was said.

Ting-tang-tongetje
Ik ruik een sappig jongetje!
Is hij levend, is hij dood,
Ik smeer hem vrolijk op mijn brood!

Jeez! I'll be humming that all week long! No bread for a week, either.

Originally posted by string:

Would that be an in-swinger (or is that cricket?)

Nothing about this thread is cricket!

Originally posted by jbrothernew37:

Jeez! I'll be humming that all week long! No bread for a week, either.

Muhahaha.

El Diablo lives in your head, Sir!

If that means I can add Spanish to my language repertoire, I'll give him a warm welcome.

Originally posted by barulheira:

I cannot talk about the meaning of the original sentence in French.

It means exactly what it means at any other language. Is no way of some bureaucrat to refer to a sovereign Nation in public declarations.

Meanwhile:
World Cup - FIFA: Council of Europe motion has 'inaccuracies'

The clouds are about to burst methinks. Will it be a shower or a perfect storm?

edit:
At the time I wrote the above I had not seen the following report:

Council of Europe calls for FIFA corruption probes

which adds more information; note the remark "The report will be debated on April 25 when parliamentarians from 47 Council of Europe member states meet in Strasbourg, France.".

Some bursting clouds:
Fifa corruption intrigue deepens as Brazil's Ricardo Teixeira resigns

Former FIFA executives lose battle over ban for corruption during World Cup bidding