Almost all of the comments are dead wrong. Football, soccer if you will, is not a serious sport in the US. IT is a recreational sport. Very few of the US players are prepared to make it in the best leagues in the world, the sport is run in a pay to play model that leaves the majority of the players who are culturally biased towards playing the game are priced out of participation. Yes he may be a stooge for Blatter, and that isn't good, but Blatter has done many good things in his tenure, fields in Africa and Asia are a testament to his programs. And let us not forget that Chuck Blazer, the one who is singing to the Feds about all the corruption, is an American doing so from a Federal Penitentiary. Americans have been the most corrupt inside of FIFA. CONCACAF is corrupt from top to bottom. I can understand the attitude at FIFA HQ towards the US, clean house here before you take down the big guys.
2
@Victor Scamorza, Colorado
With all due respect, I beg to differ with you. Soccer is a very serious sport here in the US. It is just not as established as it is in other countries. However there is NO doubt that it's popularity is on the rise. The recent Gold Cup win of the USWT was by no means a fluke. And while the USMT is still in flux, there are several players who can easily stand their ground on the pitch. And this is coming from a DFB fan.
Another thing. While Herr Blatter might have done some good for several countries in developing the sport, it still can't be denied that he and his cohorts have put the game in a bad light. So there is no need to point any fingers. There's enough guilt to go around.
With all due respect, I beg to differ with you. Soccer is a very serious sport here in the US. It is just not as established as it is in other countries. However there is NO doubt that it's popularity is on the rise. The recent Gold Cup win of the USWT was by no means a fluke. And while the USMT is still in flux, there are several players who can easily stand their ground on the pitch. And this is coming from a DFB fan.
Another thing. While Herr Blatter might have done some good for several countries in developing the sport, it still can't be denied that he and his cohorts have put the game in a bad light. So there is no need to point any fingers. There's enough guilt to go around.
1
Blazer is not in prison, and due both to his precarious health situation and the fact that his actual sentence has not yet been decided, may never actually be incarcerated for his crimes. As for Blatter, while it may be the case that FIFA has done a great deal to develop the sport in third world countries, it is also undeniable that that was a pillar of Blatter's strategy to guarantee his perpetual re-election in FIFA's one-country on-vote "democracy", where the majority of the "voters" come from such countries.
2
Should we kick off a campaign to boycott everything Swiss?
4
This guy understands the USA about as well as the clowns running for the Republican nomination. Maybe when he cleans up FIFA he'll do just that. The more ignorance the merrier.
7
Hmm, a Swiss Donald Trump. What a concept.
7
He obviously iks not interested in cleaning up FIFA, and is doing what he can to protect Blatter. Replace him with a person who is not so tied to the old order. Otherwise, in the long run some other organization will rise up.
2
The ignorance of the man is self-evident. Has he seen the number and variety of boys and girls playing soccer in the U.S.? And why is the reference to it being an "ethnic sport" not just another racial slur for which he should take responsibility and resign? Then again, if you have ever been part of a Swiss owned corporation or organization, the attitudes expressed are both unsurprising and sadly typical.
5
Correction to my last: Switzerland's overall WC WDL & GD are better than the USA's, but since 1990, the USA has generally done better in each WC competition. Unlike Blatter and Carrard, I'll admit it when I've made a mistake.
2
Carrard occupies this position is all the proof anyone needs that true reform will never occur at FIFA until the structure is demolished and rebuilt from the ground up. Carrard is another FIFA factotum with longstanding ties to many of the people who are responsible in the first place for the problem. His ignorant comments about soccer in the United States put in question his very fitness to lead anything dealing with the game on a global basis, let alone a committee responsible for major reform.And, contrary to what M. Carrard thinks, not only will the sport of soccer do just fine without FIFA, it will be arguably better off until another, clean and transparent, administrative solution is found.
14
Forget about demolishing FIFA. Thats a bad idea. No football nation will ever accept that. Those who are not happy can leave or bring some suggestion.
This big house was founded in 1904 and survive despite winds and storms.
Football fans all around the world love the FIFA World Cup. FIFA is not perfect but FIFA is a very respected organisation and the sport of football need it. I love its principle of one member, one vote.
Those who commit the wrongdoings inside the big house must go.
And yes, FIFA need reform but not to be demolished.
This big house was founded in 1904 and survive despite winds and storms.
Football fans all around the world love the FIFA World Cup. FIFA is not perfect but FIFA is a very respected organisation and the sport of football need it. I love its principle of one member, one vote.
Those who commit the wrongdoings inside the big house must go.
And yes, FIFA need reform but not to be demolished.
1
"He said, in French, that soccer was not 'a true American sport'; 'There, it’s just an ethnic sport for girls in schools.'” Now, is that any way to talk about the country that finished third in the first World Cup, in 1930, for which Switzerland didn't even show up? Since then, the USA has a better World Cup record than Switzerland. The Schweitzer Nati had better watch out next time they play the USMNT.
13
He needs to come to some American high schools, especially in the West. He'll see how "ethnic" it is. If it's "ethnic," the particular ethnic is the American. Soccer has been around in Oregon since the 1920's. Many small schools in Oregon have soccer teams, not football teams. Many of the larger schools have both sports. And that's just Oregon. How about California and Texas? How about universities and colleges where soccer scholarships are granted?
1
The same is true in Maine, my friend. The game is an American game, we bring to it an American style, and the American style will take its place next to all the other great national styles. Remember Sanneh to McBride vs Portugal in 2002!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmNVZdnSvOo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmNVZdnSvOo
1
Anybody who thinks the IOC was "cleaned up" after the 2002 Salt Lake City bribery revelations is sadly delusional. Simply put, the corruption of the IOC remains, just below the surface. And the putative cleaner of the IOC's Augean Stables is then chosen to do the same for FIFA? Well, the BEST result possible from that choice would be to make the corruption just a little less obvious and more opaque.
Just consider who appointed him. Res ipso loquitor.
And his first public utterances on the job are to smear, if not to kill, the messenger? Thanks M. Carrard. I'm sure that worldwide, football fans would prefer to take their chances going forward without FIFA. We'll see if football would die or not. I'd rather think that it would thrive, instead.
Just consider who appointed him. Res ipso loquitor.
And his first public utterances on the job are to smear, if not to kill, the messenger? Thanks M. Carrard. I'm sure that worldwide, football fans would prefer to take their chances going forward without FIFA. We'll see if football would die or not. I'd rather think that it would thrive, instead.
13
These were astonishingly ignorant and arrogant comments to come from a high-ranking official of an international sports federation. The ugly vein of anti-Americanism that lies within many of these organizations, and the IOC, is truly exposed here.
13
Use the American system for corruption and bribery and subject o its jurisdiction. The one point this old white guy makes that is correct is crimes like this happen all the time, AKA the Banksters, Ms Lynch get them too? Nope too much political power.
3
Carrard's pronouncements are reminiscent of Officer Barbrady, a character in early South park episodes: "Nothing to see here, folks. Move right along." So much for FIFA's own reform committee, at least until Blatter and and his stench leave the building.
2
Considering that EU organizations and courts routinely hold US corporations accountable for assorted transgressions, I am not interested in any complaints
coming from the other side of the pond about the jurisdiction of US courts
in FIFA matters. What is good for the goose...
coming from the other side of the pond about the jurisdiction of US courts
in FIFA matters. What is good for the goose...
8
I dream of a day when a new international organization holds an alternate world cup. It certainly would be interesting if by 2022 an alternate cup was held in a country that already had an infrastructure in place. All the great teams of the world could compete fairly. Trinidad and Tobago and the Cayman Islands could go to Qatar. (Maybe the swiss too)
2
Another corrupt official defending a bankrupt system with stupidities!
1
Francois Carrard is absolutely right. What gives US DoJ and FBI the right to investigate and arrest FIFA officials in Switzerland. In addition FIFA represents men soccer games in the world and after 2 failed attempts to make Soccer popular in USA with buying players like Pele, Cruyff, Beckenbauer and Beckham it never 'made it in the USA'
So why was American cyclist Greg Lemond never arrested for stealing Tour de France wins with DRUGS and 'corrupted' the world and then I am talking about all the US bribes paid to IOC officials to host the Winter and Summer games in USA like the cover-up for the 2002 Olympics in Atlanta. Nice cover-up by US investigators!
So why was American cyclist Greg Lemond never arrested for stealing Tour de France wins with DRUGS and 'corrupted' the world and then I am talking about all the US bribes paid to IOC officials to host the Winter and Summer games in USA like the cover-up for the 2002 Olympics in Atlanta. Nice cover-up by US investigators!
1
Extradition treaties with Switzerland gave US officials the right to make the arrests; corruption involving illegal exchanges of money on US territory (and involving the highest US FIFA official at the time) gives US officials the right to investigate FIFA corruption. Seems pretty straightforward to me...
12
You need to get your facts straight - Le Mond has never been accused of using performance enhancing drugs. In fact, he has been way out in front in condemning their use. I'm guessing you're thinking of Lance Armstrong. Search the internet; you'll find plenty of information about his legal issues.
Also, the US indicted officials in connection with the 2002 Olympic bribery scandal but, after a trial, the judge acquitted the defendants finding insufficient evidence to support a conviction.
Finally, professional soccer is doing well in the US, particularly for only having been around since the mid-1990s. The value of MLS franchises ranges from approximately $70-$180 million. Hardly a sign that soccer is "failing" in the US.
Also, the US indicted officials in connection with the 2002 Olympic bribery scandal but, after a trial, the judge acquitted the defendants finding insufficient evidence to support a conviction.
Finally, professional soccer is doing well in the US, particularly for only having been around since the mid-1990s. The value of MLS franchises ranges from approximately $70-$180 million. Hardly a sign that soccer is "failing" in the US.
8
It's laughable to say that the US doesn't have the right to investigate corruption occurring within our financial system. What are the Dutch doing about it? Not much. Never 'made it?' 25 million people in the US watched the Women's World Cup final on TV, where was Sepp Blatter for the tournament? Hiding out. Enjoy your travels to Russia to watch the World Cup in 2018, better take the train.
8
This man is a joke. Anyone who can come out in defense of Sepp Blatter needs to have his head (and bank account) examined. This specific hubris is especially comical when one reads in the German Press (i.e SPIEGEL
Online, 24.8.2015), that Herr Blatter is quoted as saying that: "There is no such thing as corruption in Soccer" (transl: 'Es gibt keine Korruption im Fussball"). And in an additional article Mr. Carrard comes to his defense by stating that Sepp Blatter is "being treated unfairly." Of course, no one is blinking twice.
And just when you thought this story couldn't get more ridiculous.....
Online, 24.8.2015), that Herr Blatter is quoted as saying that: "There is no such thing as corruption in Soccer" (transl: 'Es gibt keine Korruption im Fussball"). And in an additional article Mr. Carrard comes to his defense by stating that Sepp Blatter is "being treated unfairly." Of course, no one is blinking twice.
And just when you thought this story couldn't get more ridiculous.....
15
Dear God, do we really need yet another corrupt Swiss official leading a even more corrupt organization based in Switzerland? Between FIFA and the IOC, haven't we had enough shenanigans from old Swiss men who apparently have missed all the changes the world of sport has gone through in the past 30 years. So many blathering old white men and so many feet inserted into mouths...
12
Just for the record. As long as there is Sport and Sports Officials, there will be no shortage of "blathering old white men". On the other hand, one could just look at this exercise in hubris as a sport within itself.
Besides, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being informed.
Besides, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being informed.
There is indeed an incestuous relationship between FIFA and the IOC, going back to when Joao Havelange was head of FIFA.
In 1980, with the backing of Adidas the shoe company, he underwrote the campaign for a friend of his to run the IOC to succeed Michael Morris aka Lord Killanin. That friend was Juan Antonio Samaranch.
In 1998, Havelange hand-picked his successor to run FIFA - his protege Sepp Blatter.
For further insight, read sportswriter Dave Zirin's book "Brazil's Dance With the Devil"
In 1980, with the backing of Adidas the shoe company, he underwrote the campaign for a friend of his to run the IOC to succeed Michael Morris aka Lord Killanin. That friend was Juan Antonio Samaranch.
In 1998, Havelange hand-picked his successor to run FIFA - his protege Sepp Blatter.
For further insight, read sportswriter Dave Zirin's book "Brazil's Dance With the Devil"
5
This guy is nothing but a Blatter surrogate. All he'll find is nothing & report that Blatter be retained.
10
You need to educate yourself in international law and treaties.
Switzerland and America have extradition treaties enabling the arrest of those
certain criminal defedants working at FIFA in Switzerland.
The crimes were committed within the USA banking system that is why these people were arrested.
FIFA is going down as they are a criminal enterprise. Do not be shocked to see Sepp Blatter going to jail.
Soccer or voetbol is hugely popular in America. Pele et al were here in the NASL over 35 years ago. You need to educate yourself on American sport and in particluar soccer. We get to see more international soccer than anyone does.
And Greg LeMond was one of the few "Clean" cyclists in the last two decades in the Tour de France. You must be thinking of Lance Armstrong.
As far as the IOC and malfeasance by the USOOC? You could be right in those allegations and perhaps should make a claim to the US Department of Justice of course with your empirical data.