I wonder if he's doing a runner before the Americans can lock him up? What countries have nice weather and no US extradition treaties nowdays? Anywhere he's bunged a load of cash?
Yep: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_extradition_treaties Qatar and Russia don't, rather coincidentally...
I'm sure Putin would welcome him in. I'm not sure that Russia will still host the 2018 World Cup though ? As for Qatar ? That now looks like a complete non starter
David Ginola, of course. http://www.itv.com/news/update/2015-06-02/david-ginola-to-challenge-for-fifa-presidency-again/
I think somebody from outside of Europe might be welcomed from the African and Asian contigent. There are a few close to UEFA who might have broad appeal. Personally I think Platini will succeed Blatter ..... Eventually
The authorities in Europe should hang their heads in shame that it's taken the U.S, for whatever reason, to do what they've lacked the balls to do for years. How have this old thief and his cronies been allowed to corrupt the game for so long, unchallenged?
You couldn't make this **** up. No doubt all his backhanders and bribes are in a Swiss bank account but let's hope the Feds get their man !
It is an indictment on Europe that they've not been able to topple Blatter before now. But to be fair Platini has been putting pressure on him for a number of years. I guess it's taken the full force of an FBI investigation as well as a Swiss investigation, and even then he was trying to hold onto power. I think in the next few days and weeks a 'smoking gun' will be found that has prompted Blatter to jump today.
On the news earlier they said that they expected an announcement from the U.S. tonight - perhaps he knows what it is
Oh, for sure. You can bet he wouldn't go unless he absolutely had to. There are rumours already connecting him and his right hand man to a $10mil payment to Jack Warner.
I think the FBI came out and said that their current investigations are just the 'tip of the iceberg'. Blatter obviously knows what's going to come out over the course of this investigation, but it's astounding that he was still trying to cling onto power. I reckon that even today he had to be pushed to make that resignation .
He is very well respected and would make a good candidate. But would he want the top job ? I think he'd be better in the background in an advisory and steering role rather than as a figurehead.
UEFA/Platini haven't been in a position to take on FIFA recently as both France and Spain supported Blatter to keep Qatar happy. Shameless.
Even if they had the support of France and Spain, it would have still been very hard for UEFA to take on FIFA and Blatter because France and Spain only have a vote each. Blatter has the support of Africa and Asia and was therefore always going to win. If UEFA want to do something maybe they can do something to get Asia and Africa on their side by not just showing self interest all the time.
The South Americans were also in Blatter's pocket. Personally, I think Harry Redknapp would do a great job as FIFA president. I'm sure he'd have a job for Rosie, too.
