Never a dull moment with FIFA, there is always a surprise, and I do not know whether I should laugh or cry.
It is only sports, I admit it.
It is only sports, I admit it.
1
Why doesn't the argument that FIFA was defrauded by its officers also apply to the large banks during the financial meltdown? Weren't the stockholders of the banks defrauded as well as the public? Why has the Obama administration forced the banks to pay large fines but let the officers who orchestrated the fraud go free? Hilary Clinton defended the funding of her super Pac by financial interests as no different from Obama's. One can't help wondering whether going after the stockholders rather than the officers of the banks had anything to do with who contributed money to a super PAC? Why did the Obama administration prove fraud can be prosecuted by going after FIFA officers but not after the officers of banks? Would Hillary Clinton be any different? Would she really try to jail financial officers who commit fraud but contribute heavily to her super PAC, or would she just jail those who don't contribute?
1
.one looks forward to what John Oliver has to say about this...
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Absolutely! Can't wait!
1
This is a Case that should be open and shut.
Sounds like Crocodile Tears to me.
3
So is the US Government still arresting corrupt FIFA management or have we joined them and now also demanding that female players should be dressed in more attractive shorts while kicking the ball on plastic grass. Just asking.
Even though the US isn't one of the world's top soccer powerhouses, it still has enormous sway over soccer. The US should opt out of FIFA and work with other countries like the UK and Germany to start a competing organization. FIFA is rotten to the core and just needs to go away. It's too corrupt throughout the entire organization to truly be reformed.
4
That FIFA is asking for part of the money owed by its former criminals - sorry, employees, when it's clear to no one that the organization has learned remotely anything from the misdeeds represents the height of gall and hypocrisy. That, along with the enormous size, and empty content, of the banner stretching across the 2016 FIFA congress stage, strongly implies they have learned, and know, nothing.
4
Here we go again. Is an organization a "person" that can be victimized? The answer should be, no. An organization is just an idea; a legal fiction that has no corporeal form. Thus, FIFA was (is) its human agents, and when they violate the law both the person(s) and the organization are punished.
FIFA should be required to rehabilitate its brand the old fashioned way: by doing good in the future. Instead, it wants to take a short cut and play the victim card. I hope it isn't allowed to. The rot in that organization is widespread. What's needed is head to toe change in culture. Otherwise, it will be business as usual after this storm passes.
FIFA should be required to rehabilitate its brand the old fashioned way: by doing good in the future. Instead, it wants to take a short cut and play the victim card. I hope it isn't allowed to. The rot in that organization is widespread. What's needed is head to toe change in culture. Otherwise, it will be business as usual after this storm passes.
5
This organization is rife with corruption throughout. Those not caught, but participants in the organization culture & processes, have large ones to look to recover (share in) any legal penalties. They get a piece of what they missed the first time around.
4
Just WOW!!!
3
This request proves beyond any reasonable doubt that FIFA remains an unchastened corrupt colossus with no redeeming social value.
8
FIFA a victim? Obviously they have no shame, and they are giving everyone 'the finger'.
16
Oh, they should be given the money. After all, FIFA needs to invest in pharmaceutical companies so that the org can crank up the price 700% on simple drugs needed to keep kids from having their brain eaten by parasites.
How else can FIFA support the next giant World Cup stadium in the Mideast, employ tens of thousands of workers, and help cut the population?
How else can FIFA support the next giant World Cup stadium in the Mideast, employ tens of thousands of workers, and help cut the population?
4
So they bribed people and now want the money back - because they got caught? FIFA is rotten to the core and should be replaced by a totally new organization.
13
Outrage has finally become a legitimate response. FIFA deserves NONE of the monies awarded in penalties.
FIFA was never a victim.
FIFA was never a victim.
8
Talk about hubris...!
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How about chutzpah?
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After compensating US taxpayers for the cost of investigation and prosecution, the remainder of the fine money, if there is any should be spread out amongst youth soccer programs throughout the US where it will do some good.
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Hear! Hear! Excellent idea.
How about FIFA gets a cut after they take the 2022 World Cup away from Qatar? Maybe give it to Australia instead.
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2022 should have gone to the United States. We had a legitimate bid.
Only one way to describe this: obscene.
4
Would the NYT please stop assuming everyone knows what "FIFA" stands for? Every single NYT article assumes the reader knows. Is there any other organization whose name is mentioned only by acronym article after article? What do the letters "FIFA" actually stand for? I cannot be the only reader who doesn't know.
NYT = New York Times
NYT = New York Times
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(In French) Federation Internationale des Footballs Associations.
(In English) the international federation of (national) football associations.
(In English) the international federation of (national) football associations.
TY (Thank you)
Appalling. The dragnet needs to be cast much more broadly.
3
Where is the Justice Dept prosecution of UN officials, of Putin, of the Royal family of Saudi Ararbia? This action against FIFA is such small potatoes. When did it become accepted that the Justice Dept spend millions on actions against sports organizations? News Flash. Our morality re bribery is completely different than the rest of the World, if you don't believe that, just look around and count the number of countries that don't protect the human rights we take for granted in the US.
2
The Justice Department did not indict FIFA. It indicted, and in many cases convicted, FIFA official in the U.S. for tax evasion and money laundering. In other words, enforcing U.S. law with the U.S.A. Of course, this had implications for FIFA, which initially was derisive of these prosecutions.
After killing his parents, the son asks for compensation for loss of companionship and guidance.
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You beat me to it by 14 minutes.
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Because he was an orphan.
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And for PTSD and emotional suffering due to the loss.
While FIFA as victim is absurd, perhaps a deal for "compensation" in return for binding court imposed reforms and independent oversight might be worth it. Then we could see if FIFA is still interested. I'd bet not.
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What's the Swiss-German word for chutzpah? In Zurich, they've got it in spades.
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The arrogance and ignorance of this organization is appalling. FIFA is a blight on the sport and will continue to be for the foreseeable future; nothing has changed there.
Almost every single person in a position of power was willfully engaged in corruption; do you honestly believe the people who took over didn't know what was going on? If they didn't, they're either lying or so wildly incompetent that they have no business running such a large multi-national billion-dollar organization.
Almost every single person in a position of power was willfully engaged in corruption; do you honestly believe the people who took over didn't know what was going on? If they didn't, they're either lying or so wildly incompetent that they have no business running such a large multi-national billion-dollar organization.
37
Well stated; nothing more to say!!
3
Per their leadership, FIFA is showing an exponential level of chutzpah even asking for a cut of the legal proceeds. Whatever money the US receives will likely not even come close to paying for the action that no other country had the gumption to bring. I suggest they set about purging the bad actors and changing the operating culture before lining up (again) like pigs at a trough.
15
Hence, with all this talk about either dismantling FIFA, or creating an alternative world governing body for soccer (presumably under U.S. control?), do not be surprised if somebody somewhere suspects this will be just another example of "imperialistic overeach" by a country that, unfortunately, has a little bit of history in that matter...