Swiss police arrest 10+ FIFA officials: indicted by US Dept of Justice

Yep, the pigs are starting to squeal. Jack Warner is said to be ready to spill the beans. And his knowledge extends to affecting a General Election in his home Trinidad & Tobago: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-33002674

 

Jack Warner is the slipperiest of the lot, but when he squeals the whole house will come down.

 

Before the next WCs were handed to Russia and Qatar, Jack Warner made some snide remark about how unprofessional the FA were and we were doing things on the cheap (which we certainly weren't). Alarm bells rang then...obviously we weren't handing out bungs (and were probably not even approached for one).

 

Australia are already talking about sueing.

 

There is one thing that slightly concerns me in all this. That there has been rumour upon rumour, accusation upon accusation, over FIFA. So how come it took the USA to bring about an investigation, and the Swiss moved to do so as well.?

If most of the membership countries are saying that FIFA is plainly corrupt, why didn't they start their own investigations years before now.? Are their own snouts in the trough.?

 

I'd guess US are the only country with an interest invested that can realistically afford an investigation on this scale. This will cost billions.

 

The US action has brought people together as well. The accusation against us is that the English think they know what is best for the game (we do, but apparently it's not a good idea to point it out to Johnny Foreigner ). Joking aside, every country has axes to grind, so it has taken the Americans to point out that the Emperor has no clothes.

 

If it is found that bribes were involved in getting the World Cup to Qatar, and given the number of workers being "enslaved" there, in the building of the stadiums, with some workers having died, can culpable manslaughter be brought into the equation. Or will that rest solely with Qatar?

 

Yes, that's a good point. In a sense, the USA's geographical and strategic distance from the Game and FIFA has allowed them to move where others couldn't. Others might say it allowed them to see the wood for the trees, which also might be true.

 

Not sure about billions plural. Certainly many millions. Investigators aren't paid at the rate of top footballers, thank goodness. We can't have everyone at the trough.

And that's another thing. Top footballers being paid at the ludicrous rates per week. That's got to be reigned in. A more honest and open FIFA could lead that change.

 

He is only trying to minimize the impact on himself, but I hope he gets the whole lot thrown at him!!

 

Probably my bias showing, but I find David Beckham's timely trotted out FIFA comments a little bit rehearsed. He's shaken the hands, he's exchanged the kisses on the cheeks, he's done the hugging, and never, ever criticised FIFA before. Now he says change must happen, pretty much after everyone else of influence has said the same or more:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33000412

Is it proper criticism, or is it self promotion.? That's what he's always been best at, after all.

 

A bit harsh. It may well be well timed and a little help from his PR people, but at least he has spoken out. I like Beckham and he think he receives a lot of unwarranted stick. He is successful and has made the very best from what he has done.

 

It does help that the supergrass just happens to be an American as well. Perhaps if he had been German, Spanish whatever, then other powers could have acted. Not that I want to undermine the efforts of the Americans. Absolutely sterling work from those boys and girls.

 

Yeah, I'll accept that. As I said, probably my bias showing. I still find he is the most overhyped, relative to talent, footballer I can think of. I've always far preferred substance over style in people [and probably so in all things]. It tends to govern the amount of slack I give people.

 

Yes, I agree.

 

Irish FA accepted 5 million euros from FIFA to stop complaining about the Thierry Henry handball apparently.

 

Well that answers that question. Quite rightly, they kicked up a stink and then all went quiet.

It's why I put Henry in the same category as Maradona. Both openly and knowingly cheated, found out immediately and still got away with it.

 

That makes me uneasy.

Is it too late for compo for Maradona's?