The Football Topic (Page 49 of 52)

Qatar is done I believe. Russia is iffy for sure.
Some big names will be going to jail before this is done.
Rick

Mr. Blazer was, IMO, caught up in the wiretapping of international comms by our Feds looking for terrorist links. One of those lookie here what we got deals.
He had been caught dead, probably on a wire fraud charge, since he agreed to carry a wire and assist in bringing down the operation in exchange for  lenient treatment. I'm sure he got some good stuff over the last year and a half.
Lots more will be forthcoming.
Rick

FIFA is damaged beyond repair, - needs to be dissolved. The separate country FA’s need to withdraw membership immediately. Forget Qatar and Russia. Focus on rebuilding.

Platini fights on though....

what does it say about someone who asks for a million per year, but to avoid various financial potholes actually gets paid Euros 300k per year for 4 years. Then forgets he has been paid the 1.2million Euros after 4 years, 'mistakenly' believes the arrangement was for Euro500k per year, and sends an invoice to FIFA for 2m Euros, belatedly, which they pay!

I can accept that at a certain level of super rich and powerful deals are done on a handshake and a whim but when both men are the heads of international organisations some form of accountability, financially and morally are necessary.

Platini is an idiot if he thinks these kind of arrangements and management of his affairs are acceptable given his position. If he ISN'T corrupt, then it makes him look so and as a result his reputation if tarnished. The story with his son getting preferential jobs in the mid-East is further proof of his scant regard for how things look and what might be thought.

Blatter is a fool. Fighting on just isn't an option. IF he doesn't go soon I can see National bodies withdrawing from FIFA and forming their own governing body and arranging their own tournaments.

It is ironic that the situation is beginning to parallel F1 a few years ago and doubly ironic that F1's ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone actually came out this past week supporting Blatter and his presidency. Why? Because Bernie was in Russia giving Vladimir Putin a major a$$licking and supporting Blatter's cause which gave Russia the next World Cup and expousing what a good guy Blatter really is. What isn't ironic is how dictators, whether presidents of countries or sports organisations stick together. The mighty dollar, management of the media, suppression of the truth are all just tools of the trade to these guys.
Ecclestone has perfected the Teflon exterior that Blatter aspires to. Court cases, bribery and corruption and he is still there, wheeling and dealing.

F1 missed a trick years ago not breaking out and forming their own governing body. Mercedes Honda and Renault were funding a group to turn F1 into a motor racing equivalent of the NFL. But Bernie knew what buttons to push, persuading Ferrari that in the 'new world' they would be the same as the other competing teams, but with him, they get preferential payments, technical vetoes and so on. Ferrari sold their soul to Bernie and now we get Grand Prix in Russia, and next year, what is it...Azbekistan?...possibly at the expense of Monza. The French and German Grand Prix have already gone.

Football should take note. Clean FIFA out from the top to bottom or close it down and start again. Germany's DFB are probably the strongest voice at the moment, being current World Champions. If they, France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina and Chile say 'Non', we don't play in Russia in 2018 unless FIFA is immediately completely reformed. You need people of absolute integrity there now. Sadly there don't seem to be too many around any more. I'm racking my brains and I could only come up with HRH Princess Anne!

I don't do it often Ian. I'm back into my football again at the moment I have to say. There is a window of opportunity here. I just hope the various associations that matter opt to try and force it. Unfortunately only this past week the DFB in Germany have become mired in a scandal concerning the awarding of their 2006 World Cup. Nothing, it seems, in football, is free of corruption of one sort or another.

They fight on though. Uefa evens supports Platini still. From what I've read (and given that Platini has found jobs for his son and other cohorts with the Quatari's and such like) Platini has been a little indiscreetin his dealings. Nevertheless, his 'deal' with FIFA is documented apart from the paymount amount which was verbally agreed.
I can see Platini being successful eventually but nevertheless 'tainted'. In his own mind he is completely innocent of course, his arrogance only outstripped by his ambition. I thought once he should head FIFA, but you know, he has had his snout in the FIFA trough as well.....and probably knew some of the goings on but said......or chose to say....nothing.

By denouncing the antics of FIFA he would have become the next President of the world game, but chose to keep quiet...why?

They refuse to go quietly so footballs governing body's name will continue to drag through the mud. FIFA needs a new untainted head now, from outside football if necessary. After all, it is a massive business and the guy in charge even as an interim head is as tainted as the rest of them.

Max Mosley (ex FIA Chief) is pretty old now but at least he could steady the ship for a couple of years. His only peccadillo was being caught with his trousers down..................lets be fair, most footballers have been caught like that too.............

I've been watching Mike.
I get FA the EPL and the Champions Cup coverage over here as well as Bundesliga matches.
Haven't posted because it really is a Europe deal but I enjoy seeing the games.
It's been exciting and I hope that underdog comes through.

I love Football...