This could be the start of something

[John]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/russia-qatar-face-losing-world-cups-bribery-proven-152302321--sow.html

 

[junglehusky]

ICYMI

 

[ZooCougar]

Jack Warner believing that the Onion was real is the best thing they have done since "The Ninja Parade", or "The Apple Wheel".

 

[DarthGrumpy]

If this is true that blazer has been cooperating with US Authorities since 2011 is having a coronary. Basically, it looks like the US sent the dogs after FIFA right after the 2018 and 2022 Cups were awarded in December of 2010. Props to the US.

http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup...er-worked-undercover-for-us-informing-on-fifa

 

[DarthGrumpy]

I realize that this is likely too dry for most folks; but, I work in the insurance field and find it interesting and it show how complex hosting such large events are from a business viewpoint. Basically, if fraud is found with the World Cup selection, all of the primary insurance coverages and secondary coverages (re-insurance) for business loss are basically void and thus any such losses incurred, say it be for a natural disaster, terrorist coverage, or a cancelled event, are left to the local businesses themselves. Of course, the lawyers for all parties would be kept busy for YEARS sorting out who is left holding the bag.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/18/us-worldcup-cancellation-insurance-idUSKBN0OY29220150618

 

[DarthGrumpy]

This could be promising. if the Premiership and Bundesliga follow suit, that carries major weight. Still, I suspect the real power is with the major FIFA sponsors. If they threaten to back-out of sponsoring the 2022 Qatar Cup, then FIFA will listen.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/spanish-league-appeals-fifa-switch-2022-world-cup-194240870--sow.html

 

[UCFBfan]

This could be promising. if the Premiership and Bundesliga follow suit, that carries major weight. Still, I suspect the real power is with the major FIFA sponsors. If they threaten to back-out of sponsoring the 2022 Qatar Cup, then FIFA will listen.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/spanish-league-appeals-fifa-switch-2022-world-cup-194240870--sow.html

This is a good first step. Agree that England needs to follow suit. They carry more weight then Bundesliga. Between the NBC contract and the sponsorship deals, if they were to do something like this and follow through with it (or at least carry it to a threatening point) I'd imagine there might be change. I can't imagine NBC is too happy about losing their media content for that time period. Then again, I don't know how long NBC's deal runs so they might not even be in the picture?

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Could be nothing; but, I was on a work call today that covered economic conditions in the Gulf States. The speaker, who was from the UAE, noted that growth projections for Qatar are off by -30% primarily due to uncertainty with the 2022 World Cup and that a rebound is not expected. Gave me the impression that whoever he is in contact with in Qatar does not expect the 2022 Cup to happen.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Odd day for FIFA, announced that the 2022 Cup in Qatar will begin on November 21, 2022 and run 28 days (4 less that usual) and end on December 18th.

http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/story/2630641/fifa-confirms-2022-world-cup-start-for-nov-21

FIFA had scheduled a press conference to announce this; but, then this happened and it was cancelled. Whoops.

http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/story/2630695/criminal-proceedings-opened-against-sepp-blatter

The Swiss are now going after Sepp now and he has been avoiding countries that have extradition treaties with the US. Not looking good for him; but, he always has a safe place to go in Russia.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

This is likely the only way that FIFA will listen, threaten the cartel's cash flow because without it, they are powerless. Now, the question is if other key sponsors will follow Coke's lead. My guess is yes.

http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup...lls-for-sepp-blatter-to-step-down-immediately

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Looks like Sepp is now starting to loose support within FIFA now after the recently announced investigation by Swiss Authorities after several major sponsors have demanded his resignation. A 90 day suspension almost carries him through to the proposed elections in February. Any bet Sepp relocates to Russia in the near future?

http://www.espnfc.com/fifa-world-cu...provisionally-suspended-fifa-ethics-committee

 

[Waquoit]

The DOJ couldn't even get Lance Armstrong, the USADA had to administratively punish him.

Get him for what?

 

[ZooCougar]

Get him for what?

Using money from his team's US Postal Service Sponsorship for a performance enhancing drug program.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Wow, still digesting his one. Blatter is apparently ticked and unloading on everyone.

http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2015/10...tini-wants-return/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

 

[ZooCougar]

Wow, still digesting his one. Blatter is apparently ticked and unloading on everyone.

http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2015/10...tini-wants-return/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

Blatter and Platini are approaching Saddam Hussein levels of delusional insanity.

 

[John]

Blatter and Platini are approaching Saddam Hussein levels of delusional insanity.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

The FBI just launched round 2. This brings the number to 10 FIFA ExCo members now indited by either US and/or Swiss Authorities.

Is there anyone left?

http://www.northjersey.com/news/us-indicts-16-more-in-probe-of-world-soccer-corruption-1.1467049

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Looks like it will be high noon for Blatter and Platini to in 2 weeks, should be interesting.

http://www.espnfc.us/blog/fifa/243/...-and-michel-platini-to-face-fifa-ethics-panel

 

[Waquoit]

One of the people arrested is Aaron Davidson, President of Traffic Sports USA, which owns the Carolina Railhawks and is the head of the NASL's board of governors.

I actually saw the RailHawks play once. They lost to the Revs in the US Cup semis. I thought they were going to win the game for a stretch.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

No surprise that both Blatter and Plantini are suspended or are appealing; but, I am surprised that the ban is only for 8 years. Would the last person left on FIFA's ExCom who is not wearing jumpsuit orange, please turn the lights off before he/she leaves.

http://www.espnfc.com/blog-fifa/sto...r-and-michel-platini-get-eight-year-fifa-bans

 

[meyers7]

No surprise that both Blatter and Plantini are suspended or are appealing; but, I am surprised that the ban is only for 8 years. Would the last person left on FIFA's ExCom who is not wearing jumpsuit orange, please turn the lights off before he/she leaves.

http://www.espnfc.com/blog-fifa/sto...r-and-michel-platini-get-eight-year-fifa-bans

That's good enough for Blatter. 8 years makes him like 87. Long enough and old enough to forget all about him. Platini though would only be 68 and might still be relevant.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Interesting one of five the surviving FIFA Presidential Candidates, i.e. some one has not yet been indicted and/or arrested, has come out stating that if Qatar was found to have bribed FIFA ECOM for the 2022 Cup Vote, it should go to the US. I also like the fact that he wants to keep the Cup at 32 teams and not expand it to 40, which will not be a popular position for Africa and Asia voters.

http://www.espnfc.us/blog/fifa/243/...pagne-backs-us-for-2022-cup-if-qatar-stripped

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Some 'light' reading...

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/14767250/the-exclusive-story-how-feds-took-fifa

 

[DarthGrumpy]

And now FIFA admits that bribes were taking place; but, it was the victim and is now seeking financial restitution from government authorities for the harm inflicted on FIFA by its own executives. I'm confused.

http://www.espnfc.us/blog/fifa/243/post/2830672/fifa-admits-to-world-cup-hosting-bribes

 

[SAMCRO]

And now FIFA admits that bribes were taking place; but, it was the victim and is now seeking financial restitution from government authorities for the harm inflicted on FIFA by its own executives. I'm confused.

http://www.espnfc.us/blog/fifa/243/post/2830672/fifa-admits-to-world-cup-hosting-bribes

Could not make that up if you tried.