14 FIFA Officials Arrested on Corruption Charges

[LexingtonSpurs]

Not really, I'd imagine that there are plenty of countries with the infrastructure already in place to host a World Cup at short notice.

Well, the special election is not until December, then it takes a few months to make anything happen - now its almost mid-2016, and the 2018 WC host also hosts the 2017 Confederations Cup - so we are talking a year to get ready. Seems like more trouble than its worth...

 

[npearl4spurs]

Guardian:
Well, well, well. There were barely 15 people present for the most important press conference in the world governing body’s recent history.

https://twitter.com/richard_conway/status/605768600012517376

Those 15 people are gonna make the best "I was there" t-shirts ever

 

[yankspurs]

Text of speech.

I have been reflecting deeply about my presidency and about the 40 years in which my life has been inextricably bound to FIFA and the great sport of football. I cherish FIFA more than anything and I want to do only what is best for FIFA and for football. I felt compelled to stand for re-election, as I believed that this was the best thing for the organization. That election is over but FIFA's challenges are not. FIFA needs a profound overhaul. While I have a mandate from the membership of FIFA, I do not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of football - the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, breathe and love football as much as we all do at FIFA. Therefore, I have decided to lay down my mandate at an extraordinary elective Congress.

I will continue to exercise my functions as FIFA President until that election. The next ordinary FIFA Congress will take place on 13 May 2016 in Mexico City. This would create unnecessary delay and I will urge the Executive Committee to organize an Extraordinary Congress for the election of my successor at the earliest opportunity. This will need to be done in line with FIFA's statutes and we must allow enough time for the best candidates to present themselves and to campaign. Since I shall not be a candidate, and am therefore now free from the constraints that elections inevitably impose, I shall be able to focus on driving far-reaching, fundamental reforms that transcend our previous efforts.

For years, we have worked hard to put in place administrative reforms, but it is plain to me that while these must continue, they are not enough. The Executive Committee includes representatives of confederations over whom we have no control, but for whose actions FIFA is held responsible. We need deep-rooted structural change. The size of the Executive Committee must be reduced and its members should be elected through the FIFA Congress. The integrity checks for all Executive Committee members must be organized centrally through FIFA and not through the confederations.

We need term limits not only for the president but for all members of the Executive Committee. I have fought for these changes before and, as everyone knows, my efforts have been blocked. This time, I will succeed. I cannot do this alone. I have asked Domenico Scala to oversee the introduction and implementation of these and other measures. Mr. Scala is the Independent Chairman of our Audit and Compliance Committee elected by the FIFA Congress. He is also the Chairman of the ad hoc Electoral Committee and, as such, he will oversee the election of my successor. Mr. Scala enjoys the confidence of a wide range of constituents within and outside of FIFA and has all the knowledge and experience necessary to help tackle these major reforms.

It is my deep care for FIFA and its interests, which I hold very dear, that has led me to take this decision. I would like to thank those who have always supported me in a constructive and loyal manner as President of FIFA and who have done so much for the game that we all love. What matters to me more than anything is that when all of this is over, football is the winner.

 

[npearl4spurs]

CoralVerified account‏@Coral
HR: "FIFA is a top, top, top organisation. I've always admired them when I was at QPR. I'm flattered to be linked."

Beat me to it. Bravo, sir.

 

[TheGreenLily]

Well... line up the ugly shoes, dirty burgers and liquid masquerading as 'beer':



“And if you won’t do it, the last hope to get rid of him is in the hands of the only group even more powerful than world governments. Barring an indictment, the only people with the power to get rid of Sepp Blatter are FIFA sponsors – these companies,” he said, as a graphic appeared on screen showing logos for Budweiser, McDonalds, Hyundai, Kia, Adidas, Coca Cola and Visa.

Then Oliver made a personal plea to these sponsors: “Please, make Sepp Blatter go away. I will do anything. Adidas, I will wear one of your ugly shoes that make me look like the Greek god of aspiring DJs. McDonalds, I will take a bite out of every item on your dollar menu, which tastes like normal food that was cursed by a vindictive wizard. And I will even make the ultimate sacrifice. Budweiser, if you pull your support and help get rid of Blatter, I will…personally drink one of your disgusting items…It can be a Bud Light. I will even drink a Bud Light Lime, despite the fact that all the lime in the world cannot disguise the fact that this tastes like a puddle beneath a Long John Silver’s dumpster.

“But I will do it. I will drink one, making eye contact with the camera, and I will say it was delicious. Because if you get rid of the Swiss demon who has ruined the sport I love, this stuff will taste like f**king champagne.”

That was brilliant.

 

[UpTownSpur]

I think it needs to be enshrined in the FIFA code of who can and cannot host a World Cup.

Something like:

1) Must have a democratically elected government.
2) Must have a free press.
3) There must be no state backed persecution of any religious or ethnic minorities, or of homosexuals.
4) Must not be engaged in an aggressive war against neighbouring countries (Have to word that one carefully so the UK and US are not excluded!)

 

[JohannTHFC]

Is it really too late for Russia to lose their World Cup? There competitors were England, Netherlands/Belgium and Spain/Portugal. Some of the biggest footballing countries in the world there with some of the best leagues in the world. They all have the stadia to host a World Cup already and are all huge tourist destinations already. Didn't England even say they could host a World Cup within 6 months notice or something like that? I don't expect Russia to lose it and the cynic in me even expects the Qatar one to go ahead but it wouldn't be illogical that if FIFA could present a breach of rules for the 2018 Russia bid that they could be stripped and handed to a competitor despite only being 3 years away.

 

[BuryMeInEngland]

Not really, I'd imagine that there are plenty of countries with the infrastructure already in place to host a World Cup at short notice.

Especially if they want this to happen to Putin

 

[BuryMeInEngland]

I think it needs to be enshrined in the FIFA code of who can and cannot host a World Cup.

Something like:

1) Must have a democratically elected government.
2) Must have a free press.
3) There must be no state backed persecution of any religious or ethnic minorities, or of homosexuals.
4) Must not be engaged in an aggressive war against neighbouring countries (Have to word that one carefully so the UK and US are not excluded!)

I think we're good unless the UK invades Wales and Scotland or the USA declares war on Canada.

 

[npearl4spurs]

Is it really too late for Russia to lose their World Cup? There competitors were England, Netherlands/Belgium and Spain/Portugal. Some of the biggest footballing countries in the world there with some of the best leagues in the world. They all have the stadia to host a World Cup already and are all huge tourist destinations already. Didn't England even say they could host a World Cup within 6 months notice or something like that? I don't expect Russia to lose it and the cynic in me even expects the Qatar one to go ahead but it wouldn't be illogical that if FIFA could present a breach of rules for the 2018 Russia bid that they could be stripped and handed to a competitor despite only being 3 years away.

That's all well and good about hosting it within 6 months, but I read a story that said the US could host the World Cup as early as six days ago.

I forget where I read it though. My buddy Jack showed me though - I'll go ask him.

 

[yankspurs]

Well, the special election is not until December, then it takes a few months to make anything happen - now its almost mid-2016, and the 2018 WC host also hosts the 2017 Confederations Cup - so we are talking a year to get ready. Seems like more trouble than its worth...

TIme to expedite the build of the new stadium, Daniel! Put in that new planning app, make the committee approve it same day. Next day, get started

Really though, it would seem too late but it's not. The US was given the '94? WWC with like 6 months notice after it was stripped from the country it was supposed to be in and pulled it off flawlessly. If you have the determination to get it ready quickly and have the stadia already built, you can easily pull off a WC in short time.

 

[kr1978]

Well... line up the ugly shoes, dirty burgers and liquid masquerading as 'beer':



“And if you won’t do it, the last hope to get rid of him is in the hands of the only group even more powerful than world governments. Barring an indictment, the only people with the power to get rid of Sepp Blatter are FIFA sponsors – these companies,” he said, as a graphic appeared on screen showing logos for Budweiser, McDonalds, Hyundai, Kia, Adidas, Coca Cola and Visa.

Then Oliver made a personal plea to these sponsors: “Please, make Sepp Blatter go away. I will do anything. Adidas, I will wear one of your ugly shoes that make me look like the Greek god of aspiring DJs. McDonalds, I will take a bite out of every item on your dollar menu, which tastes like normal food that was cursed by a vindictive wizard. And I will even make the ultimate sacrifice. Budweiser, if you pull your support and help get rid of Blatter, I will…personally drink one of your disgusting items…It can be a Bud Light. I will even drink a Bud Light Lime, despite the fact that all the lime in the world cannot disguise the fact that this tastes like a puddle beneath a Long John Silver’s dumpster.

“But I will do it. I will drink one, making eye contact with the camera, and I will say it was delicious. Because if you get rid of the Swiss demon who has ruined the sport I love, this stuff will taste like f**king champagne.”

Love that

John Oliver is brilliant. Does some great stuff on exposing the sheer hypocrisy of so many organisations and companies

 

[worcestersauce]

I have to say that when I heard the news this morning that the South Africans sent a letter to Blatter's number two saying pay Jack Warner $10million I couldn't see how Blatter could deny knowledge of it.
They tried the old "just because Valcke's name was on it doesn't mean he saw it" trick but that wasn't credible and if he paid it Blatter ok'd it, had to have know all about it, its just inconceivable he is innocent when it's that close.
As for Russia 2018 I don't see them losing it but some political concessions will be squeezed out of Putin; Qatar on the other hand I really don't know.
This is a good day for football.

 

[npearl4spurs]

I think we're good unless the UK invades Wales and Scotland or the USA declares war on Canada.

ITK????

 

[yankspurs]

I read a story that said the US could host the World Cup as early as six days ago.

I forget where I read it though. My buddy Jack showed me though - I'll go ask him.

The 2018 WC wont be in the US. We arent even going for it. The 2022 WC will either be in the US or Aussie now, IMO.

 

[npearl4spurs]

The 2018 WC wont be in the US. We arent even going for it. The 2022 WC will either be in the US or Aussie now, IMO.

WHOOSH!

http://www.theonion.com/article/fifa-frantically-announces-2015-summer-world-cup-u-50525

 

[sweetness]

What I saying? I just said classic putin? It still was classic putin. Putin is probably on such a rant right now about the US

Maybe I'm turning senile... Just about still remembering an 'optimistic' rating

Well done to uncle Vlad for shredding Blatter's remaining support

 

[gilzeantheking]

Greg Dyke's thoughts


Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has been speaking to BBC News. He said: "The whole organisation of Fifa needs re-structuring. The whole organisation needs looking at financially.

"The future has got to be about transparency but this great news today."

Dyke added that Fifa under Blatter has done some good, including taking the World Cup to Africa for the first time in 2010, but added: "It's all been done under a cloud of corruption and today it ends."

 

[BuryMeInEngland]

ITK????

 

[yankspurs]

WHOOSH!

http://www.theonion.com/article/fifa-frantically-announces-2015-summer-world-cup-u-50525

Still cant believe Jack Warner used that in his defense. What an idiot