FIFA

(02-06-2015 19:24 )cosmonaut Wrote:  

(02-06-2015 17:55 )Goodfella3041 Wrote:  Today's "smoking gun" letter on the South Africa bribe must have been the trigger.

Maybe, but I'm not certain about that. Perhaps Blatter knows about something else that's coming, that hasn't been made public yet?

Fair point.

BUT ... the latest rumors from American media (ABC and the New York Times) is that Blatter is now part of the American investigation. And that investigation included the South Africa bribe to CONCACAF. So I'm sticking with my first pick -- i.e. that he doesn't think he can survive if Valke gets indicted.

(02-06-2015 19:24 )cosmonaut Wrote:  Maybe, but I'm not certain about that. Perhaps Blatter knows about something else that's coming, that hasn't been made public yet?

No, I think it was that letter. I think the letter made a difference because it moved the criminal investigation very close to Blatter himself.

Walked before he was pushed

Riveting stuff.

Inasmuch as FIFA would clearly sell its soul for some extra cash, they should hold their next congress at Wembley and sell tickets.

Also, with today's bombshell of a resignation, one factor seems to have slipped under the media radar: How f***ing crass was it for Jack Warner to conceal his bribe under the cover of a development project to "support the African Diaspora of the Caribbean"!?

Has anyone investigated if everyone in the Caribbean has been invited to swim in Jack Warner's $10 million pool?

Thank fuck he's gone now football can move forward in the right way

I would think FIFA should be laid to rest and as part of the reform process it should become a totally new World Football Organisation with a new name and everything so it can leave the corrupt past behind and start over.
Secondly as much as I'd like to think it would be great if England was to host the 2018 World Cup instead of Russia but I would fear it would be impossible to instigate a change of host when the qualifying draw for that competition is looming on the horizon it two months' time. As for 2022 it would be good to re - run the vote but we should encourage more bids from Asia with that it in mid I was thinking of the likes of China who have hosted the Women's world Cup early on in it's inception and if Canada has a successful Women's world Cup I don't see why it cannot bid for 2022 too, and maybe we will se more joint bids in future that I think helps in allowing more nations have a hand in the finals however large or small they may be.
(maybe as a joint exercise with the US). I'd love to see the World Cup being played in Australia but I think it would work better as a joint bid with New Zealand which worked very with the last Rugby World Cup. I have no real knowledge if the Soccer stadiums in Australia are of acceptable quality. though I could see some games probably being stage at the MCG or Sydney cricket Grounds and the final being played at the Olympic Stadium.

As for Blatter.. I think we are all in agreement that Blatter allowed corruption to become rife within, I think we should also recognise that during his tenure there were some good things he did do..
Bu IMO I think the forthcoming re vote should be way more open and transparent in the future and should happen ASAP The reform process should ensure that the President should be a fixed term of office and that he should serve no more than 2 terms of office. However I think Blatter should NOT IMO opinion be overseeing either that meeting or the new election process but I do think it would be a welcome change if the new president was an ex footballer as that would bring presidency right up to date.
That way FIFA would be look far more open and credible in the eyes of the world in future.

(02-06-2015 22:41 )Goodfella3041 Wrote:  Riveting stuff.

Inasmuch as FIFA would clearly sell its soul for some extra cash, they should hold their next congress at Wembley and sell tickets.

Also, with today's bombshell of a resignation, one factor seems to have slipped under the media radar: How f***ing crass was it for Jack Warner to conceal his bribe under the cover of a development project to "support the African Diaspora of the Caribbean"!?

Has anyone investigated if every black person in the Caribbean has been invited to swim in Jack Warner's $10 million pool?

I'd love to know exactly how big that pool actually is for that sort of money!!

(02-06-2015 22:33 )Broncobilly Wrote:  Walked before he was pushed

What speaks more volumes was that he refused to answer any questions after his stated and it was delivered in French! possibly a last snide dig at British journalism?

It's hardly surprising to find out that Blatter is being investigated by the FBI's organised crimes department

So on Friday Blatter sees no reason to step down but then steps down only 4 days later. From defiant to defeated so quickly.