There is a psychological reason why the United States terrorise the world with their barbaric law system. (trials that are based on statements of a pervert and a mad man) It's the last playground where they can feel power. USA do not want to admit their decline and their military and economic weakness: Military: lost every war since 1945, unable to react to this immense humiliation by beheading of their own people (Everybody asks why you entertaining an army and they do not in this case). economically pretending business as usal by printing money but depending on China to come over the next month. I wonder what's next with USA.
For efficiency, start reporting only who didn't take a bribe.
2
I have always managed to separate "big time sports" into two entirely separate areas... those which take place "on the field of play" and the rest. The first is what makes it interesting and worth my attention... the rest is incidental and unworthy of any real consideration.
As far as I can tell the recent flap involving the old men of FIFA who have about as much to do with what happens "on the pitch" as the suits of Madison Avenue have with events "on the diamond" an are worthy of only a passing interest at most.
As far as I can tell the recent flap involving the old men of FIFA who have about as much to do with what happens "on the pitch" as the suits of Madison Avenue have with events "on the diamond" an are worthy of only a passing interest at most.
Mr. Blazer may be talking now, but plenty of other canaries will be singing soon.
Blazer pled to crimes committed in 1998 and 2010, but his knowledge of FIFA corruption and others’ crimes is plainly not limited to those two occasions.
Prosecutors have no doubt been talking to him -- with his eager cooperation spurred by hope of limiting his punishment -- about the full range of his and others’ potentially criminal acts.
No doubt others will “turn” as well, yielding many more indictments and many more defendants. That’s what Federal prosecutors call “dealing up’, and Blatter and the 14 already-named defendants are now having this process explained to them, in detail, by their lawyers.
Which is hardest on the top of the pyramid, Sepp Blatter, who is in for very rough treatment -- at least if he ever leaves Switzerland and exposes himself to arrest in a jurisdiction which would extradite him, unlike his native Switzerland.
Much more to come.
Prosecutors have no doubt been talking to him -- with his eager cooperation spurred by hope of limiting his punishment -- about the full range of his and others’ potentially criminal acts.
No doubt others will “turn” as well, yielding many more indictments and many more defendants. That’s what Federal prosecutors call “dealing up’, and Blatter and the 14 already-named defendants are now having this process explained to them, in detail, by their lawyers.
Which is hardest on the top of the pyramid, Sepp Blatter, who is in for very rough treatment -- at least if he ever leaves Switzerland and exposes himself to arrest in a jurisdiction which would extradite him, unlike his native Switzerland.
Much more to come.
I come to praise Chuck Blazer not to bury him.
Did he become corrupted in every manner by his lifelong involvement in the sport he made his life's passion? Yes
Is he now a barely functioning shell of his former large-living self, brought down hard by his own excesses beyond anything FIFA could be responsible for? Yes
Should Zach Galifinikas play him in a bio pic? Yes.
But as US soccer fans, we do owe a huge debt of gratitude to Blazer, who stepped into the soccer void known as CONCACAF and helped take it from a second tier federation, with few strong national teams and facilities, to one on equal footing with all with the exception of UEFA.
Very real possibility that WC94, which led to MLS and the ongoing growth of US soccer, would NOT have taken place (at least not in 1994) if not for his machinations and skill, yes skill, at pulling FIFA and sponsor levers.
And at the end of his day, he was the first and key guy to flip and pull back the curtain on it all. Yes it was done under extreme duress of his own making. But he spilled his guts (literally) and does anyone really think FIFA/Blatter would be on their knees without Blazer's testimony?
So, Mr. Blazer, soccer dad, Santa Claus and Mephistopheles, empire builder, tax cheat, FIFA poobah - I thank you for your contributions to US Soccer.
It looks like the end is soon for you, and you left American soccer in a much much better place than where you found it.
Did he become corrupted in every manner by his lifelong involvement in the sport he made his life's passion? Yes
Is he now a barely functioning shell of his former large-living self, brought down hard by his own excesses beyond anything FIFA could be responsible for? Yes
Should Zach Galifinikas play him in a bio pic? Yes.
But as US soccer fans, we do owe a huge debt of gratitude to Blazer, who stepped into the soccer void known as CONCACAF and helped take it from a second tier federation, with few strong national teams and facilities, to one on equal footing with all with the exception of UEFA.
Very real possibility that WC94, which led to MLS and the ongoing growth of US soccer, would NOT have taken place (at least not in 1994) if not for his machinations and skill, yes skill, at pulling FIFA and sponsor levers.
And at the end of his day, he was the first and key guy to flip and pull back the curtain on it all. Yes it was done under extreme duress of his own making. But he spilled his guts (literally) and does anyone really think FIFA/Blatter would be on their knees without Blazer's testimony?
So, Mr. Blazer, soccer dad, Santa Claus and Mephistopheles, empire builder, tax cheat, FIFA poobah - I thank you for your contributions to US Soccer.
It looks like the end is soon for you, and you left American soccer in a much much better place than where you found it.
1
Very amusing JJ. Where did they get these guys?
There are some who might question the motives of USA in doing this. But believe me, the majority of the average joes ( other than the local elites) across the world, do support US actions. The reality is everyone knows most of the countries and its systems and officials are highly corrupt and they see this a small victory against their corrupt systems. Believe me, people across the world look up to US and admire its system of justice (however flawed we are led to believe by the railings of these leaders).
2
I can't help but wonder whether Mr. Blazer received a bribe from Mr. Putin. That could explain much of Mr. Putin's indignant response to efforts to investigate the rampant FIFA corruption.
2
It is time that FIFA, whatever form it takes in the future, make the decision to give the World Cup to a group of countries. Then it would not be such a national thing, and stadiums would not become bus stations afterwards. Let's say the last World Cup had been awarded to Brazil, Argentina and Chile together. The countries would have shared the financial burden, benefits and the glory, and their new stadiums would probably have been actually useful afterwards. Instead of Qatar, it could have been Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAR and Kuwait. Instead of South Africa, it could have been South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique. Instead of the US, why not the US, Mexico and Canada? Countries would not have to wait a century to host the world cup. Corruption might also decline, because this system would be inherently fairer. Each region would get its turn. We need less nationalism, not more, and this would help.
2
I agree with what FIFA is trying to do but their demands for infrastructure are just too expensive for many host countries. Building a stadium which will only be used for 4 games is absurd! They need to scale back their demands to be more accessible to more member nations.
So Soccer, the world's biggest waste of grass and most boring sport, is corrupt.
What else is new?
What else is new?
1
I think you mean golf!
1
Golf is second.
1
Happy to hear this stop corruption the corridors of FIFA and remove Word Cup in Russia and Qatar
1
The above description of Blazer and the Warners testifying against other FIFA officials is an example why I think Blatter will,sooner or later,be indicted;currently indicted officials who,to save their own back sides,will provide evidence against him in exchange for plea bargains.
2
Instead of a hopelessly corrupt bidding process in which small nations have nothing to offer but their vote and their integrity, FIFA should instead select World Cup countries on the strategic basis of where football and human development can best be expanded. Take some of the billions that flow through Geneva today and redirect them toward countries that need it for both football development and economic development. Instead of crazy and corrupt last minute dashes towards completion of facilities, every four year cycle would be an opportunity to show long-term, integrated, helpful development programs that culminate in a World Cup celebration.
1
Nobody has told WHY America's FBI and DoJ are investigating a Swiss Corporation incorporated under Swiss Laws and have the nerve to arrest 14 top FIFA officials.
There are plenty of American corporations using bribes and let's not forget Washington buying foreign officials or even governments like Ukraine. And then we have Watergate, Reagangate and Nicaragua and today the Clintons taking gifts from foreign governments, etc.
USA has been interfering in world politics using money and aggressive military actions murdering presidents and hundreds of thousands of women and children and TODAY USA is investigating a European Sport Federation while US policemen shooting innocent Black teenagers are walking FREE.
I think Europe Soccer fans can do without this type of SELECTIVE Justice. This US action is ONLY to get control of the most popular sport in the WORLD and of course to sanction Russia again by taking their 2018 World Championship. After many attempts and getting famous foreign soccer players to USA, Soccer is and will NOT be a popular sport in USA anyhow so organizing these games in USA will not change this either. One reason FIFA didn't give the World Cup Soccer championship NOT to USA.
However, for Washington this has become an issue and they don't get it that SOCCER is a sport event and NOT a political event whre you can bribe politicians or send the US Marines or drones to kill FIFA managers or Soccer fans worldwide. USA you've lost it and mind your own business.
There are plenty of American corporations using bribes and let's not forget Washington buying foreign officials or even governments like Ukraine. And then we have Watergate, Reagangate and Nicaragua and today the Clintons taking gifts from foreign governments, etc.
USA has been interfering in world politics using money and aggressive military actions murdering presidents and hundreds of thousands of women and children and TODAY USA is investigating a European Sport Federation while US policemen shooting innocent Black teenagers are walking FREE.
I think Europe Soccer fans can do without this type of SELECTIVE Justice. This US action is ONLY to get control of the most popular sport in the WORLD and of course to sanction Russia again by taking their 2018 World Championship. After many attempts and getting famous foreign soccer players to USA, Soccer is and will NOT be a popular sport in USA anyhow so organizing these games in USA will not change this either. One reason FIFA didn't give the World Cup Soccer championship NOT to USA.
However, for Washington this has become an issue and they don't get it that SOCCER is a sport event and NOT a political event whre you can bribe politicians or send the US Marines or drones to kill FIFA managers or Soccer fans worldwide. USA you've lost it and mind your own business.
Misbehaving gray curls...I have to look-up more stories by this reporter, writes well.
Coming to Blazer and the Warner brothers (heh) and Danny Devito-look alike Blatter; at this point these characters seem more like comedic twists to a serious story than star crooks/informants. Blazer is most troubling of them all. In addition to his health and age, one has to wonder what the value of his testimony will be if, by the looks of it, vulnerable to being ripped apart by any capable defense lawyer. Even Blazer's mystery recordings - made by a handicapped, bumbling, obese old man in a foreign jurisdiction where such recording itself probably illegal, seriously doubt their value.
I sincerely hope this is not the bulk of the case against FIFA. Still, if all that comes out of all this is a comedy movie with more such characters, well worth it. Just the thought ROFL.
Coming to Blazer and the Warner brothers (heh) and Danny Devito-look alike Blatter; at this point these characters seem more like comedic twists to a serious story than star crooks/informants. Blazer is most troubling of them all. In addition to his health and age, one has to wonder what the value of his testimony will be if, by the looks of it, vulnerable to being ripped apart by any capable defense lawyer. Even Blazer's mystery recordings - made by a handicapped, bumbling, obese old man in a foreign jurisdiction where such recording itself probably illegal, seriously doubt their value.
I sincerely hope this is not the bulk of the case against FIFA. Still, if all that comes out of all this is a comedy movie with more such characters, well worth it. Just the thought ROFL.
1
Daryan Warner, whose father Jack Warner from Trinidad and Tobago, may an S visa, or an informant green card. Would he travel to the US to testify at taxpayers' expense?
I am saddened to learn that South Africa bribed FIFA officials to get the 2010 World Cup. This selection was greeted with joy at the time. The first World Cup in Africa in the home of Nelson Mandela. What an honour! South Africa spent approximately $3 bln to prepare. It is not clear that they made any money other than increased tourism post World Cup. And now we know that they engaged in bribery.
2
Let's be honest - do you think many of the people actually wanted to go to South Africa. If the truth is really told - there would only be a few places that would ever get the games. The people know it an that's why they are willingo bribe. They can't do like a government and offer tax incentives to get a company to move jobs to a location they don't want to be. Money stays with money unfortunately.... Until there is another place for them to make more money.
1
Apparently, the bribery scheme was well known among soccer aficionados for decades. So why is DOJ just now bringing about the prosecutions? And what kind of deal did DOJ cut with Chuck Blazer? And how much of his funds stashed away in foreign bank accounts is he allowed to keep? Pertinent portions of the transcript of his guilty plea hearing, which might shed some light on the issue, have been excised.
2
According to the report, Mr. Blazer's cooperation with federal prosecutors may be due to his failing to report significant amounts of illicit income on his tax returns. If Mr. Blazer's health is as poor as reported, the likelihood he would spend any time behind bars is very slim. Possibly Mr. Blazer is cooperating with federal prosecutors to minimize the impacts of pleading guilty to federal tax fraud on his estate and potential beneficiaries.
1
First, the DOJ of US is the only body that has brought charges, and everyone is thanking them for it. Second, it takes time build a case in the real world, and obviously they have been working on this for some time (see the article). If they went in and just convicted the smaller fish first, then they would not be able to catch the bigger ones later. Third, it is routine in Western countries to offer plea bargains to defendants so as to net those bigger fish. Fourth, pertinent details are excised and pleas kept secret so that the other indictments can move forward in the future. I think the DOJ deserves our thanks for bringing about a massive clean-up of Fifa. Nobody thought Blatter could be dislodged, and yet they managed it.
2
The following snippet from transcripts of Blazer pleading before a judge pretty much sums up Americans and soccer, er, "football":
"I don't know how you pronounce it, FIFA?" Judge Dearie asked.
"FIFA, Your Honour," said Evan Norris, assistant US Attorney.
"I don't know how you pronounce it, FIFA?" Judge Dearie asked.
"FIFA, Your Honour," said Evan Norris, assistant US Attorney.
5
Actually, this argues for impartiality, which is what you want in a judge.
It would not surprise me if the sports world in general will begin to implode with multiple scandals.
4
The tax except status of soccer & NFL is sick. Sports has another back eye. Brady's punishment should stand.
3
So the swap is Crimea or FIFA?
2
Hey 99%, look over here!
See the FIFA officials taking bribes???
What's that you say about the banks money laundering, crashing the economy in 2008, the Libor scandal, the mortgage crisis, grading junk AAA, just last week settling charges of fixing the Euro through a group of them calling themselves the Cartel, paying over $60 billion in "fines," but still making record profits and giving themselves record bonuses?
Look over here at the bad soccer guys.
Thanks so much for making the world a better place, Obama, DOJ. Now I feel so much better!
See the FIFA officials taking bribes???
What's that you say about the banks money laundering, crashing the economy in 2008, the Libor scandal, the mortgage crisis, grading junk AAA, just last week settling charges of fixing the Euro through a group of them calling themselves the Cartel, paying over $60 billion in "fines," but still making record profits and giving themselves record bonuses?
Look over here at the bad soccer guys.
Thanks so much for making the world a better place, Obama, DOJ. Now I feel so much better!
9
I don'yt understand why people think that by prosecuting FIFA officials the US has decided not to prosecute the banking officials. Those decisions have zero connection. It's a lot harder to prove fraud during the financial crisis than it is to prove quid pro quo corruption in FIFA. Perhaps we should cease all prosecutions completely until Boko Haram is brought to justice.
16
So...your argument is that if the DOJ does not go after the banksters, it should not go after corrupt FIFA officials either? Why can't they go after both?
15
How's that? I guess you'd rather let soccer continue as corrupt.
8
A tempest in a teapot. If we want to send in the FBI for illegal bribes, so straight to the worst offender, the United Nations. Picking on FIFA is like arresting drug mules and imprisoning and taking their money and car rather than watching and following the mule to the dealer.
5
Once the U.S. was passed over to host the World Cup - these indictments were sure to come. Everyone knew this for decades... This is stale news. There is just a "reason" to go after them now.
Oh god, not this! Am I the only one imagining all the other countries scratching their heads wondering why all of a sudden the USA cares enough to send in the FBI? "Isn't football what they call that gladiator thing with the odd shaped ball?"
7
The overkill is not appreciated. Maybe your currency is what is being fought for so it doesn't look like an odd shaped ball or Greece.
1
Perhaps not so much about FIFA - 5 years to investigate FIFA dwarfs time spent on crimes that actually affect Americans. This was likely on a back back burner until very recently.
I'd suggest it's not so much about corruption in an international sporting association, but Israel being at risk of being ejected and humiliated, and some of its nastier laundry aired.
http://mondoweiss.net/2015/05/international-suspend-israel
I'd suggest it's not so much about corruption in an international sporting association, but Israel being at risk of being ejected and humiliated, and some of its nastier laundry aired.
http://mondoweiss.net/2015/05/international-suspend-israel
3
@korgri
"why all of a sudden the USA cares enough to send in the FBI?"
Current charges are related to FIFA's dealings through Concacaf, which is headquartered in Miami, Florida, in the United States.
"why all of a sudden the USA cares enough to send in the FBI?"
Current charges are related to FIFA's dealings through Concacaf, which is headquartered in Miami, Florida, in the United States.
11
Can someone from Qatar just admit it was rigged and give the 2022 World Cup to the USA
6
Well i'm not from Qatar but....i speak as humble football fan.
Remember, USA was not the only candidate for FIFA 2022 WC with Qatar. Japan, Australia, South Korea, Mexico ...were candidates too.
FIFA (our big house) belong to all of us and the World Cup is the ultimate gift/reward for football fans all around the world. Its up to all of us to find solutions to FIFA's problems. If ,together, we cannot find fair solutions once for all, why not hold two 2022FIFA WC at the same time. One in Qatar and one in the USA ? Then let each federation choose wich place it want to compete. US or Qatar. The world can afford to do it since FIFA have 209 affiliated football associations.
True football fans don't really care about wich country or continent will host the big party. They just want to see the beautiful game, the players's skills, dramas and feel their country's pride.
End of story.
Remember, USA was not the only candidate for FIFA 2022 WC with Qatar. Japan, Australia, South Korea, Mexico ...were candidates too.
FIFA (our big house) belong to all of us and the World Cup is the ultimate gift/reward for football fans all around the world. Its up to all of us to find solutions to FIFA's problems. If ,together, we cannot find fair solutions once for all, why not hold two 2022FIFA WC at the same time. One in Qatar and one in the USA ? Then let each federation choose wich place it want to compete. US or Qatar. The world can afford to do it since FIFA have 209 affiliated football associations.
True football fans don't really care about wich country or continent will host the big party. They just want to see the beautiful game, the players's skills, dramas and feel their country's pride.
End of story.
2
Now hold on a minute!!! If it's true that FIFA officials took bribes, and that bribes are illegal....what about the politicians who paid those bribes?
Innocent?
Innocent?
16
The 2014 WC was held in Brazil at the cost of tens of billions of dollars in new stadiums where the only use was for a handful of WC games, like the stadium in Manaus and Cuiaba. There are no first or even second tier soccer teams in those areas. The Brazilian government sure paid millions to FIFA executives to host thee WC. The former Brazilian soccer federation chief is one of those jailed in Switzerland.
On top of it, the Brazilian political party in charge for the last 12 years built those monstrosities to help them get reelected.
I wish the DOJ would expand the FIFA inquiry and jail many Brazilian politicians too. I'm sure many are involved, all the way up to the President.
On top of it, the Brazilian political party in charge for the last 12 years built those monstrosities to help them get reelected.
I wish the DOJ would expand the FIFA inquiry and jail many Brazilian politicians too. I'm sure many are involved, all the way up to the President.
4
And that is the US Department of Justice's issue? Why?
4
I am shocked!
I mean really..this is the most corrupt organization in the world--they make Putin look like a boy scout.
They’re killing migrant workers in Qatar--probably over 5,000 people in triple digit summer heat. THEN they will have the World Cup 2022 in Qatar in November RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EUROPEAN SOCCER LEAGUE SEASON!
Anyone see a problem here?
This ain’t over until every Russian, American, Monserrat dude who took millions and kept it for themselves. And they just don’t have a World Cup for ten years! That’s the ONLY way to stop the corruption.
Totally. Corrupt. Organization.
I mean really..this is the most corrupt organization in the world--they make Putin look like a boy scout.
They’re killing migrant workers in Qatar--probably over 5,000 people in triple digit summer heat. THEN they will have the World Cup 2022 in Qatar in November RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EUROPEAN SOCCER LEAGUE SEASON!
Anyone see a problem here?
This ain’t over until every Russian, American, Monserrat dude who took millions and kept it for themselves. And they just don’t have a World Cup for ten years! That’s the ONLY way to stop the corruption.
Totally. Corrupt. Organization.
6
Putin can never look like a boy scout!
I would like to know why the only people arrested are related to Latin America? Are there no European or Asian officials that are equally corrupt? Why is the Justice Department only focusing in that region and not others in the world?
3
@Rachael
"why the only people arrested are related to Latin America?"
This initial phase of indictments relates to CONCACAF, which is the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football. This also includes marketing rights being distributed for Copa América, which is specific to Latin America.
Let's see what pans out for the rest of FIFA's affiliates.
"why the only people arrested are related to Latin America?"
This initial phase of indictments relates to CONCACAF, which is the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football. This also includes marketing rights being distributed for Copa América, which is specific to Latin America.
Let's see what pans out for the rest of FIFA's affiliates.
6
Rachel, Chuck Blazer is a corpulent white guy from Queens, NY. It was his failure to file taxes serially that started the investigation, as any American failing to file might face, let alone one with a lavish lifestyle, including a Trump Tower condo for his CAT.
1
Reminds me of "the smoking gun" during Watergate.
4
Interesting to see the Justice Department go after people whose crime amounts financially to a rounding error, while completely looking the other way as Wall Street thieves stole, bribed, and manipulated their way to billions in ill gotten gains, and do so to this very day with total impunity.
The moral of the story: If you're going to steal billions, be friends with the President and get yourself a cabinet position or at least a tee time for a few rounds with POTUS.
The moral of the story: If you're going to steal billions, be friends with the President and get yourself a cabinet position or at least a tee time for a few rounds with POTUS.
12
A "roundng error"... you must not be too sharp if you think that defrauding the organization you work for, laundering those funds thru off-shore accounts, failing to report taxes on those sums and then accepting bribes in contravention of federal law, constitutes a "rounding error."
17
DD is right on the money. Manipulating sports is far more harmful to the public weal than fixing interest rates or tanking the economy.
5
Eric Holder thought it did
The offer of a green card to Jack Warner's kids should be rescinded immediately as against public policy. They are hardly *voluntary* informants. And 10 years for Blazer ought to render him into passable shape.
6
Not 'kids', one son. The other is already a US citizen. I'm sure the prosecution wasn't being gratuitous with the green card offer. Likely it was necessary to secure his cooperation or there is some other basis (such as a threat to his life back in Trinidad, or security from risk of deportation) which justifies (in the mind of the prosecution) the offer.
1
There is a very important phrase missing from the sentence in the article which says, "Prosecutors often suggest little or no prison time in return for cooperation." I expect it was a typo, in that it should have read, "Prosecutors often suggest little or no prison time in return for cooperation for white collar criminals."
For instance, if a bank robs its customers and the banker gets caught, prosecutors often suggest little or no prison time in return for cooperation. However, if a person robs a bank and gets caught, there is absolutely no chance prosecutors will suggest little or no prison time in return for cooperation.
For instance, if a bank robs its customers and the banker gets caught, prosecutors often suggest little or no prison time in return for cooperation. However, if a person robs a bank and gets caught, there is absolutely no chance prosecutors will suggest little or no prison time in return for cooperation.
14
Why not come clean by appointing Lance Armstrong as the new head of FIFA.
4
Or perhaps some former ENRON CEO's could jump right in the driver seat and FIFA wouldn't miss a beat.
1
The Wold Cups taking place in Russia and Qatar are foregone conclusions. Stop fooling yourselves into believing otherwise. Also, stop believing that all these rich FIFA executives won't walk away free like all those Wall Street bankers.
5
Getting to the NYT editorial. Yes, Blatter should leave immediately but the play does not end there.
During Sepps's fourth re-election there was no opposition. Even Blatter knew this was wrong so here came along Prince Ali (who withdrew pretty quick after the first vote) after the fifth re-election.
If anyone with an oil lamp is trying to find a honest person in this sordid affair? The Lamp will go out first:)
During Sepps's fourth re-election there was no opposition. Even Blatter knew this was wrong so here came along Prince Ali (who withdrew pretty quick after the first vote) after the fifth re-election.
If anyone with an oil lamp is trying to find a honest person in this sordid affair? The Lamp will go out first:)
2
Is soccer for sale? Of course, it is a source of international pride and politics. As Putin most clearly intimated, if it is not for sale, then it becomes controlled by nationalists of one single nation. That is not the spirit of international sports.
Of course there are other considerations - which nation's moguls should make the money of it? But that should be determined by politics, not by the morals of anti-corruption.
Of course there are other considerations - which nation's moguls should make the money of it? But that should be determined by politics, not by the morals of anti-corruption.
1
KPMG is the auditor for the FIFA umbrella organization and several member associations. It's surprising they didn't see the red flags of highly questionable monetary activities.
Is KPMG accountable at all for this mess?
Is KPMG accountable at all for this mess?
22
I think you are being generous with the word "accountable". Complicit?
3
An auditor can only work with the numbers that the auditee is willing to disclose. If all this is going on under the table and in suitcases, likely not accounted for in a General Ledger account titled 'Bribes and Kickbacks'
This is one of the few truly thoughtful comments in the string: A really great question!
In America we call it lobbying
29
The real surprise to me is that any of these officials admitted anything, and that the prosecutors offered up some very large incentives, apparently, to encourage cooperation. As a retired trial lawyer and judge, I am well aware of how plea deals that are made and the offers that are contingent upon being the first to roll over, etc. With the magnitude of the gifts being offered -- green cards, no less -- I have to wonder what kind of case this would have been without the incentives on offer. If one already believes that the suspects in a case can be bought (indeed, that IS the basis of the case), is it really a good practice forthe prosecution to "buy" witnesses?
9
For a supposed retired trial lawyer and judge, your analysis is surprisingly poor... fixating as you do on the single offer of a green card. Have you read the indictment? It is clear that you only began following this story last week, had you been following for the past 4-5 years as I have, then reading the indictment, you'd understand that the prosecution had these defendants dead to rights. I don't presume to know the basis for the offer of the green card, but it likely wasn't offered gratuitously.
2
Sorry you mistook a comment for analysis. I did not.
2
Hey, justice has to have some prerogatives. If FIFA countries buy votes, it is totally wrong. But if prosecutors buy confessions, it is completely right. Welcome to the US justice system, your honor!
How is it that Chuck Blazer faces 20 years in jail, but Jamie Dimon only has to face dinner at the White House?
22
You got it, Peter. We are in deep deep trouble and we get this?? It's literally nauseating. Let's not forget the torturers are also walking free and easy. Ditto war profiteers and the MIC grafters not to mention the K St. corruption.
As long as this pitiful FIFA scam is all we get, we are on the downhill run into oblivion as a democracy.
As long as this pitiful FIFA scam is all we get, we are on the downhill run into oblivion as a democracy.
4
I for one am proud that the US has lead the case against corrupt FIFA. As a lifelong American fan of the game it is for the greater good of the sport that this is occurring. I am also proud that it is my country that is showing leadership. I only wonder why so many, who claim to be appalled by out of control businesses like banks, can't be happy that something is done about corruption in business. Sure we need to do more to bring in the big banks who violate the law but that doesn't mean there is no merit or its a waste of time or money to go after fraud in other areas.
11
Oh please - if the U.S. Was awarded the 2018 or 2022 games - there would be no indictment.
Given the DOJs lack of action on Wall Street fraud, Israeli spying, and police misconduct - this looks more and more like a political stunt to get the world cup away from Russia.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-06-03/next-escalation-fbi-launches-pr...
Of course, it also came right before FIFA was going to vote on ejecting Israel for its well-documented abuse of Palestinian players - not a word on that here though, huh?
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/palestinian-teenagers-shot-feet-by-israeli-sold...
This is Potemkin justice by an out of control, wildly hypocritical US government for whom no crime is so great it merits punishment, if done by the US, or Israel, or Wall Street.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-06-03/next-escalation-fbi-launches-pr...
Of course, it also came right before FIFA was going to vote on ejecting Israel for its well-documented abuse of Palestinian players - not a word on that here though, huh?
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/palestinian-teenagers-shot-feet-by-israeli-sold...
This is Potemkin justice by an out of control, wildly hypocritical US government for whom no crime is so great it merits punishment, if done by the US, or Israel, or Wall Street.
9
yes, since they have disappointed on Wall Street prosecutions they may as well just do nothing. Good point.
Obama is such good buddies with Bibi that he must have ordered this now to help Israel avoid bad publicity. Another great point.
Obama is such good buddies with Bibi that he must have ordered this now to help Israel avoid bad publicity. Another great point.
4
@Rory:
They say sarcasm is the wit of the fool.... its also a standard device of Israel's internet legions. As my grampa used to say - you catch the most flak over the target....
Even so - your first effort at missing the point doesn't follow and logically excludes the middle. Maybe Wall Street fraud should be a higher priority for the DOJ's finite resources? I know that might sound crazy since...
There is obviously more to international politics than whether or not Mr. Obama is personally fond of the dissembling war criminal the Israelis elected for another term as PM. He's a President, and a member of a party, not a king. And that party and the Congress are in thrall to the Israel Lobby.
This is a years long prosecution and warrants issue a day or two before a FIFA vote on expelling Israel? That's a little too much of a coincidence for those of us who've noticed that presidential candidates need to have a photo op at the wailing wall and grovel before AIPAC to run for office.
I sincerely hope this helps.
They say sarcasm is the wit of the fool.... its also a standard device of Israel's internet legions. As my grampa used to say - you catch the most flak over the target....
Even so - your first effort at missing the point doesn't follow and logically excludes the middle. Maybe Wall Street fraud should be a higher priority for the DOJ's finite resources? I know that might sound crazy since...
There is obviously more to international politics than whether or not Mr. Obama is personally fond of the dissembling war criminal the Israelis elected for another term as PM. He's a President, and a member of a party, not a king. And that party and the Congress are in thrall to the Israel Lobby.
This is a years long prosecution and warrants issue a day or two before a FIFA vote on expelling Israel? That's a little too much of a coincidence for those of us who've noticed that presidential candidates need to have a photo op at the wailing wall and grovel before AIPAC to run for office.
I sincerely hope this helps.
3
At Mike D... it indeed helps, at revealing your fervent desire to promote your own agenda. This investigation began 4-5 years ago and your brilliant suggestion is that this was timed to prevent a vote on the ejection of Israel? That is beyond laughable... seeing how the Palestinian FA themselves settled the matter with their Israeli counterparts.
Rory's point is also well-taken, inaction (as you see it) on Wall Street wrongdoing, is hardly an excuse to neglect other forms of criminal conduct. In this case you have willing informants providing evidence. Prosecutorial discretion is premised, among other things, on the ability to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Surely, even you can appreciate that the testimony of co-conspirators to a crime seriously moves the needle in favor of proving reasonable doubt, thus being an incentive to the prosecution.
If you have evidence of white collar crime on Wall St. or names of conspirators you'd like to offer, I'm sure the US Attorney's office will take your call.
Rory's point is also well-taken, inaction (as you see it) on Wall Street wrongdoing, is hardly an excuse to neglect other forms of criminal conduct. In this case you have willing informants providing evidence. Prosecutorial discretion is premised, among other things, on the ability to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Surely, even you can appreciate that the testimony of co-conspirators to a crime seriously moves the needle in favor of proving reasonable doubt, thus being an incentive to the prosecution.
If you have evidence of white collar crime on Wall St. or names of conspirators you'd like to offer, I'm sure the US Attorney's office will take your call.
3
Very important that we get to the bottom of this, almost as important as steroids in baseball and deflated footballs. Real problems that affect the planet can wait.
9
Big difference! Unlike steroids and deflated footballs - this is criminal activity that that can have a chilling effect on the economy of poor nations who host world cups, while developers and politicians in these places get rich.
11
Apparently, Sepp Blatter has been looking into countries that don't have extradition treaties with the USA.
4
Well Mr Putin would gladly have Mr Blatter come to Moscow and enjoy the bitter cold. They can both have tea and watch the Moscow World Cup, if it happens!
3
And yet they re-elected him ?
Shame on football !
See my blog on this
(paul martin foreign correspondent)
At last the FBI is on the right track and pursuing the wealthy crooks among us which they were chartered to do !
Sports has always been corrupted by shysters and organized crime and the media should also do their bit by further exposing it !
Shame on football !
See my blog on this
(paul martin foreign correspondent)
At last the FBI is on the right track and pursuing the wealthy crooks among us which they were chartered to do !
Sports has always been corrupted by shysters and organized crime and the media should also do their bit by further exposing it !
5
Personally I'm thrilled to see someone go after these corrupt and corrupting officials at FIFA.
Now I would like to see our fair AG do the same with Walmart executives over their corrupting activities in Mexico during the last decade, which was well documented in an NYT piece last year. They bribed officials into letting them build new stores wherever they want, even on historical/archeologically significant sites, putting local stores out of business all over. What they have done down there has resulted in some real damage to the local economies, and I find it offensive that they have completely gotten away with it - so far.
Now I would like to see our fair AG do the same with Walmart executives over their corrupting activities in Mexico during the last decade, which was well documented in an NYT piece last year. They bribed officials into letting them build new stores wherever they want, even on historical/archeologically significant sites, putting local stores out of business all over. What they have done down there has resulted in some real damage to the local economies, and I find it offensive that they have completely gotten away with it - so far.
43
Leave it to an American to have come clean about the decades-long corruption in the ranks of FIFA. I'm glad that Sepp Blatter stepped down under pressure from this mostly U.S. driven anti-corruption effort, but it remains to be seen if FIFA can ever be run on the up and up.
Many of its member countries didn't care whether it was corrupt or not, as long as they got a bit of gravy ladled on to their steak and potatoes by Blatter and his crew. If the members want their organization to be corrupt, there is little that can be done in the long run to ensure it is ethically run. Witness the long reign of organized crime in Italy, for example.
As for the American "banksters" everybody on these pages like to bring up no matter what the topic, let me remind them that taking care of corruption in one organization doesn't preclude cleaning up another set of practices elsewhere, although the fraud and corruption among bankers world-wide will be much more difficult to deal with because we are talking about companies and places where your friends and family work and do business. Sport is one thing. Mainstream business is a whole order of magnitude tougher to deal with.
35
Dealing with corrupt financial people is not tougher, it just needs a leader with the political will and backbone to do make sure some very wealthy people involved do some some serious hard time in prison and have all their assets taken away.
Our leader, apparently, has neither.
Our leader, apparently, has neither.
2
"Leave it to an American to have come clean about the decades-long corruption in the ranks of FIFA."
This is some sort a joke right? Come clean?? He was caught evading taxes. Chuck Blazer is a tax cheat and a criminal who got caught in the act, and now, being the fat rat he is, has decided to squeal on his co-conspirators for entirely selfish reasons, to spare himself the prospect of facing 20 years in jail.
This is some sort a joke right? Come clean?? He was caught evading taxes. Chuck Blazer is a tax cheat and a criminal who got caught in the act, and now, being the fat rat he is, has decided to squeal on his co-conspirators for entirely selfish reasons, to spare himself the prospect of facing 20 years in jail.
3
@DD in LA: I stand by what I said. Equating a dozen major banks in the world with FIFA, and expecting that changing the culture within these banks that produces organized attempts at rigging financial outcomes in their favor is much more difficult than cleaning up FIFA, if FIFA's members even want it to be done, which most of them don't. It will take dozens of honest political leaders to clean up our corrupt, world-wide banking system.
@The Artist FKA Bakes in Philly (nice, blatant, self-promotion there, FKA): I wasn't joking. Mr. Blazer could have stonewalled the Feds and hid the corruption he participated in while at FIFA. He did not. Apparently, you wish he hadn't ratted out other FIFA members. Would his stature have been higher in your eyes if he hadn't? Isn't this a double standard? You would have gone down with your corrupt FIFA friends? Do I have that right?
1
Knowing nothing else, the fact that they scheduled the World Cut in Qatar in the middle of the summer in deadly heat meant something fishy was going on. Plus how many spectators would have their first choice a trip to Qatar?
It is even more disgusting that many migrant workers have died building the stadium - in that deadly heat. How could you feel good about attending knowing that? Or watching, either?
It is even more disgusting that many migrant workers have died building the stadium - in that deadly heat. How could you feel good about attending knowing that? Or watching, either?
35
...and no beer! Qatar prohibits the consumption of alcohol. Soccer with no beer. Worse than fishy. And it is not actually cool in the so called 'winter' to where the contest has been rescheduled.
2
Ou AG is after 10 million US. A large amount of money in my eyes. I can only imagine how much money that is. Great!
But wait a minute. Didn't the Koch Bros. authorize One Billion, that is 100 times 10 million to purchase a President for their private use?
Well, I don't want to rain on anybody's parade, but shouldn't they be looking somewhere else first? I mean, they do not have infinite resources and we do not have eons of time.
But wait a minute. Didn't the Koch Bros. authorize One Billion, that is 100 times 10 million to purchase a President for their private use?
Well, I don't want to rain on anybody's parade, but shouldn't they be looking somewhere else first? I mean, they do not have infinite resources and we do not have eons of time.
11
You need to better inform yourself of the facts. The founder of Traffic Sports laundered (and agreed to repay as restitution) over $150 million dollars thru US banks. You could make your other point without minimizing the scope and consequences of this large scale criminal behavior by the FIFA execs.
3
I don't understand how anyone can be shocked by this, especially if they know anything about the man. He and Jack Warner treated CONCACAF, where there seems to have been a total absence of external controls or accountability, as if it were their own private property, their personal ATM with no limits. In the end, Blazer ends up like Al Capone, nailed for tax evasion, a victim of his own arrogance and bottomless greed.
10
None of this might ever have come to light had Blazer not repeatedly, arrogantly, refused to file tax returns. This despite having two Trump Tower apartments, one for him and one for his cat (no kidding).
3
Perhaps this is not the complete takeaway, but it seems that it took 3 years for the activity in a public court to come to light in the media. What else is missing from public knowledge and discourse that is supposedly happening in an open society?
9
@Ronald Cohen: I'm glad that this was secret for three years! (Although I think it was actually two, from 2013 to 2015.) Had it been public knowledge, then Blazer's utility as a confidential informant over that time would have been basically nil.
Possibly publication would have revealed more sooner and at least the soccer interested public would know how their sport was managed. Government secrecy usually benefits the government and those who jockey for position in it and not, necessarily, the governed. It is the use of "confidential informants" that leads to licensing criminal activity as was patent in the belated final discovery the Whitey Bulger and his contacts with government while being a major Boston mob leader.
Well, if you're dead-set against confidential informants in general, then there's probably nothing I can say that will convince you otherwise. Bulger was a fiasco, obviously, but really an extreme case. Confidential informants have been useful in many criminal prosecutions, and I imagine that that will be the case with FIFA, too.
2
I cannot believe in this huge corruption SCANDAL at FIFA which continued for over 20 years, the U.S. Corporations who sponsored FIFA all this time were not aware of what goes on. Either they were complacent or turned a blind eye. As federal authorities and FIFA trying to clean the miss, those large corporations should be questioned for why they haven't raise the alarm if they were just innocent bystanders. No investigation be complete without taking such courses step.
18
Why? Did you suggest investigating Nike because people use steroids in the NFL or baseball or that we investigate the US Post Office because the failed to supervise Lance Armstrong? At the end of the day, the corporate sponsors are more likely victims .
5
Under what law? For what? If corporations paid bribes in violation of applicable law, then by all means prosecute them, but what duty do they have to prevent a third party from committing a crime. You knew FIFA was accepting bribes and you did nothing about it. Should you be prosecuted?
2
We need to understand the influence those corporations exercise on FIFA. A large chunk of the organization's budget, in hundreds of millions of dollars, and extending for tens of years comes from the sponsors. If you tell me all this money did not provide access for sponsors to understand the ethics and practices of the people running the organization I will be surprised. Those who sponsor again and again a corrupt system might be considered a partner in crime.
2
Why should we care?
Why should we spend money to investigate, track, arrest, try, and imprison these guys for years?
Some foolish (?) countries paid some dishonest men to favor their location where they will spend a lot building a stadium, etc., etc.
But the US government wil not pay any of that--just the costs of treating this as a crime. And US soccer fans will not pay either.
Meanwhile, much criminal activity that does cost us a lot goes unattended.
Banks, politicians, etc.
Why should we spend money to investigate, track, arrest, try, and imprison these guys for years?
Some foolish (?) countries paid some dishonest men to favor their location where they will spend a lot building a stadium, etc., etc.
But the US government wil not pay any of that--just the costs of treating this as a crime. And US soccer fans will not pay either.
Meanwhile, much criminal activity that does cost us a lot goes unattended.
Banks, politicians, etc.
34
Why should we care about the guy in New Jersey who gets murdered or the woman in Arizona that got raped? Come on, use some common sense.
11
Indeed.
Why don't we investigate how many kids in high school and college are slaughtered every year playing football?
Why don't we investigate how many kids in high school and college are slaughtered every year playing football?
6
There actually are many prosecutions going on in the United States. What I do not understand about this variety of comment is that many politicians and members of the financial services industry have been indicted in recent months. Why should we not prosecute FIFA?
3
how about training the same scrutiny on our politicians in congress, for a change... or does the justice dept not allowed to wade into murky waters?
26
Where have you been? There have been many high profile indictments recently. The former speak of the house was just indicted. There also have been many indictments and trials of individuals working in the financial services industries. The USA SDNY, among other DOJ officials, has been wading in murky waters for the last several years.
3
Americans don't care about soccer or its corrupt officials. Can you confine these trivial stories to the Sports pages, please?
5
I am an American. I care deeply.
10
Previous Times stories about this scandal have produced several hundred comments apiece. Ditto for the reporting in the Washington Post, and probably the Web sites of many other news organizations. And you say Americans don't care?
10
I, like millions of other Americans, care about soccer. The fact you don't like it and, perhaps, prefer professional gladiators disguised as American Football, does not mean others are less Americans than you are.
It may not be a bad idea to limit the malfeasants of players that hit their wives and children, kill, take PED and commit other crimes to the sports page too.
It may not be a bad idea to limit the malfeasants of players that hit their wives and children, kill, take PED and commit other crimes to the sports page too.
7
Crook is getting a Green Card?! I have been waiting 20+ years for one of those, abiding by the law. That'll teach me.
22
Yes I almost fell off my chair at that last sentence!
As a US citizen, that is kind of embarrassing - even more so after reading your post. Hopefully your situation will change soon.
As a US citizen, that is kind of embarrassing - even more so after reading your post. Hopefully your situation will change soon.
4
The banking and income tax violations may be U.S. crimes, but why do we care about foreign governments bribing members of a private club? FIFA is a private business; all the individuals and organizations from board members to regional group to clubs to ticket purchasers, are voluntary participants. Soccer - the game - is unharmed by the greed of FIFA executives.
Soccer - the international business - simply needs to drop FIFA; it's unnecessary,.
Soccer - the international business - simply needs to drop FIFA; it's unnecessary,.
9
None of this is particularly surprising. As long as there are money, power, and glory involved people will corruptly exploit them all.
Such is the nature of human endeavors.
Such is the nature of human endeavors.
6
I'm surprised the sponsors are holding on. McDonald's can't give their employees a $15 salary, but they can pay the obviously corrupt FIFA sponsorship money. Bad for business.
80
Not that I agree with what presumably has taken place within FIFA....but what's the difference between a bribe and recommending an S-Visa to squeal on your peers?
11
Soccer, shmoccer. Compared to the banksters' take over the past 20 years, it's peanuts. When the DoJ goes after those responsible for the '08 crash, then we can applaud. Fifa is a distraction.
101
I totally agree! Even though I am a huge fan of global football, the DoJ certainly needs to focus on domestic scandals as priority #1. But do you think it will happen when financial industries currently donate huge amounts of money to the reelection campaigns of Republicans (and, to a lesser but still significant extent) Democrats? Not a chance. The ONLY way to root out corruption in the USA is with campaign finance reform or term limits, not the DoJ. That might happen in 3015...
20
Sorry, but what specific law did they break? Just curious.
6
FIFA could be a preview……one could hope anyway.
2
Here the history of corruption at global level is unfolding. Executives and organizers of the sports have polluted the holiness of the athletics' spirit and games. After education, now sports are at stake!
7
What is illegal about taking a bribe? FIFA is a private organization. What is wrong from a legal point of view about selling their services, venues, etc., for any price they want, secretly or not? What law was broken?
3
Private organizations are still subject to criminal law. I know, the fact that the US rarely prosecutes corporations for criminal violations (at least recently) may have led you to believe otherwise. However, bribery, corruption,and money laundering are all VERY much illegal. It doesn't matter who is involved. For profit and no-profit organizations have to follow the law.
As for why bribery is illegal: because it provides an unfair advantage.
As for why bribery is illegal: because it provides an unfair advantage.
13
Imagine a surgeon who bribed his way through college, Med school, his residency. And it's a secret. What's wrong with that? Should it be legal?
Suppose your appendix is about to rupture and you need a surgeon...
Suppose your appendix is about to rupture and you need a surgeon...
21
Um, you're kidding, right? In addition to being totally unethical--pigs enriching themselves at the trough--it is also illegal for Americans and any organization that has business dealings in the U.S., including private organizations and corporations, to take bribes. It's called the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and has been in place for a couple of decades. Why do you think the U.S. can prosecute this cSe in the first place? Many other countries in Europe and elsewhere have similar laws.
16
Why was it necessary to collect bribes to allow the very first and only World Cup on the African continent? There was no region more deserving of the event than Africa, and South Africa was a great host. Yet these sleaze balls demanded bribes to make what was already the right decision for soccer. We can't wait to see them behind bars.
36
Bribes, called "Dash", are customary in Africa. If they were not offered it might be regarded as a breach of etiquette.
5
@donald surr
People need to recognize that Africa is not a homogenous unit. "Dash" is a term used in Nigeria, not South Africa. While there is corruption in some African countries as in the rest of the world, it's unfair to paint the entire continent as corrupt.
South Africa deserved to host the World Cup, and they did it successfully. If they had to bribe, it must have been because it was demanded.
People need to recognize that Africa is not a homogenous unit. "Dash" is a term used in Nigeria, not South Africa. While there is corruption in some African countries as in the rest of the world, it's unfair to paint the entire continent as corrupt.
South Africa deserved to host the World Cup, and they did it successfully. If they had to bribe, it must have been because it was demanded.
3
I imagine we may soon be hearing that bribes were also involved in the "choices" of Russia for 2018 and Qatar for 2022. if so, it would seem that the venues may have to be -uh - amended. I for one would be shocked, shocked to learn that Mr. Putin would be party to such a thing.
51
Is it just me, or does it seem obvious to others that the aim of this pious "shocked! shocked!" affair is to move the World Cup out of Russia, in an attempt to humiliate Putin?
Does anybody believe that the "shocked! shocked!" Justice Department would be doing this if the US were hosting the World Cup? (After the hugely embarrassing Salt Lake City Olympics scandal broke, no thanks to the Justice Department, the Department did indict two Americans but managed to lose both cases.)
Never mind that it's ridiculously far from being the turn of the US, which hosted the Cup in 1996. For example, no Latin American country except Brazil has hosted the Cup since the US hosted it, and Britain hasn't hosted it since 1966.
Blatter, much to his credit, has greatly expanded world interest in soccer by extending hosting opportunities to Asia (South Korea/Japan), Africa (South Africa), and the Arab world (Qatar). I know that this greatly annoys the Europeans and, oddly, the United States, but Blatter has raised an enormous amount of money for FIFA and has distributed it fairly to poor countries to develop soccer there. And they really have developed it. Some money no doubt stuck to some fingers, it would be surprising if it hadn't, but a great deal of money really has gone into soccer fields, stadiums and training -- with considerable international success for countries that never had a chance before.
Does anybody believe that the "shocked! shocked!" Justice Department would be doing this if the US were hosting the World Cup? (After the hugely embarrassing Salt Lake City Olympics scandal broke, no thanks to the Justice Department, the Department did indict two Americans but managed to lose both cases.)
Never mind that it's ridiculously far from being the turn of the US, which hosted the Cup in 1996. For example, no Latin American country except Brazil has hosted the Cup since the US hosted it, and Britain hasn't hosted it since 1966.
Blatter, much to his credit, has greatly expanded world interest in soccer by extending hosting opportunities to Asia (South Korea/Japan), Africa (South Africa), and the Arab world (Qatar). I know that this greatly annoys the Europeans and, oddly, the United States, but Blatter has raised an enormous amount of money for FIFA and has distributed it fairly to poor countries to develop soccer there. And they really have developed it. Some money no doubt stuck to some fingers, it would be surprising if it hadn't, but a great deal of money really has gone into soccer fields, stadiums and training -- with considerable international success for countries that never had a chance before.
1
In this comment you come out somewhat russophobic. Here we have on FIFA representative from USA who admitted taking bribes. We also have a bunch of Brazilian and US companies (including Nike) implicated in giving bribes. There is no evidence that Russia did anything improper in this case or in any other cases (unlike us who do have some history of bribing international sport organizations - remember Salt Lake City bribery scandal?). So what exactly makes you question FIFA's choice of Russia for hosting the event?
1
I suspect that part of this investigation coming out now is to lay the groundwork for rescinding the "choices" for 2018 and 2022.
2
Are they going to take away his scooter so he can't run away?
4
Little or no prison time?
Of course, its white collar crime. Now if they'd held up some guy on the street. . .
And make no mistake, these are the jokers in charge while people died in Brazil and are dying in Qatar.
Shameful.
Of course, its white collar crime. Now if they'd held up some guy on the street. . .
And make no mistake, these are the jokers in charge while people died in Brazil and are dying in Qatar.
Shameful.
33
The laborers who have built much of modern day Qatar, and Dubai for that matter, are de facto slaves. Slaves for goodness sakes.
These men, mostly from Asia & Africa, may not leave Qatar and the Emirates because their employers keep custody and control of their passports. They live in deplorable conditions and are paid subsistence wages.
Yet many in the west -- golfers, athletes, businessmen, politicians, travel to those countries -- adult playgrounds -- with no concern about this inconvenient truth. It's disgusting.
Qatar should not have a World Cup for many reasons. Bribes, climate, etc. But the big reason is its deplorable human rights' record.
I find FIFA's 'Say No to Racism' campaign more than a little ironic in light of its selection of Qatar. I suppose slavery and racism are not technically the same.
These guys are the lowest form of animal with all apologies to amebas and paramecium.
These men, mostly from Asia & Africa, may not leave Qatar and the Emirates because their employers keep custody and control of their passports. They live in deplorable conditions and are paid subsistence wages.
Yet many in the west -- golfers, athletes, businessmen, politicians, travel to those countries -- adult playgrounds -- with no concern about this inconvenient truth. It's disgusting.
Qatar should not have a World Cup for many reasons. Bribes, climate, etc. But the big reason is its deplorable human rights' record.
I find FIFA's 'Say No to Racism' campaign more than a little ironic in light of its selection of Qatar. I suppose slavery and racism are not technically the same.
These guys are the lowest form of animal with all apologies to amebas and paramecium.
91
Has anyone noticed none of the FIFA cabal are women? A few women may be needed to clean this mess up.
32
A woman IS cleaning this up. Her name is Loretta
7
While I'm all in favor of women in the high ranks of FIFA, the idea that women are any less corrupt then men is ridiculous, paternalistic, and sexist.
2
Who is surprised? Boys will be boys...
The money in US politics and Clinton Inc., is no surprise, either.
The money in US politics and Clinton Inc., is no surprise, either.
6
Why do you not mention the Koch brothers who have allocated 900 million dollars for the 2016 elections? Conveniently forgotten?
Or all the Super Pacs who are giving millions thanks to Citizens United passed into law bt the SCOTUS.
ANYWAY - all this is off topic. We should be talking about the corruption and fraud/bribes committed by the largest sports controlling organization on the face of this Earth and has done so for the last 20 years at least. The greed and arrogance of people in power is always driven by money
Why it's called the root of all evil. Money talks, and no 'big wig' walks !
The players and small/poorer nations are continuously
Or all the Super Pacs who are giving millions thanks to Citizens United passed into law bt the SCOTUS.
ANYWAY - all this is off topic. We should be talking about the corruption and fraud/bribes committed by the largest sports controlling organization on the face of this Earth and has done so for the last 20 years at least. The greed and arrogance of people in power is always driven by money
Why it's called the root of all evil. Money talks, and no 'big wig' walks !
The players and small/poorer nations are continuously
18
Don't forget the Koch Brothers' intention to spend $900 million of their own money to, um, buy an American President, augmented with money from their buddies...
5