Blatter - Dead Man Walking

[Goldstone1976]

I'm interested in why people have such a downer on Platini. I know he's not been particularly complimentary or friendly to English/British football, but I didn't think there was the stench of corruption around him like there is with Blatter. Or have I missed something?

Fair question. Anyone care to comment?

The Torygraph very recently reported that Platini met with Bin Hamman shortly before the vote for Qatar to win, and linked him to corruption. That's the most recent accusation, but there have been others over the years.

Personally I don't think that Platini is quite as bad as Blatter; but then Himmler wasn't quite as bad as Hitler. I'd like to see both gone. FIFA needs root and branch reform, which will take at least a decade to see through. Doubt it will happen though - too many vested interests.

 

[jamie the seagull]

Blatter could not care less about Platinni and the European Federation.
He worked out years ago that by providing support (bribes) to the Federations from Africia, Asia etc, the European Federation powers would be reduced.
The African, Asia, South America Federations will continue to stick together whilst Blatter offers even more support (!) and will always out vote the Europeans.
Just like the did yesterday when they voted against propsals to limit the term and age of the President.
Blatter is here to stay...if he goes they would all fall and they will not vote for that.

 

[essbee]

He'll die soon...........at least we can all hope.

 

[Birdie Boy]

Why is it that it is down to the media to find evidence of corruption and blackmail? Why aren't the FBI, CIA, Interpol or anyone else looking into the accusations of illegal wrong doings? Everyone and I mean everyone knows that Fifa and nearly everyone involved in Fifa is corrupt, so why aren't these authorities looking in to it?

I think Edna should nip over to Brazil this weekend, take in the England game and then confront Blatter with handcuffs in hand and demand that he hands over all documents within Fifa for her to scrutinize for the next month as she is not interested in the football and has nothing better to do!

 

[Hotchilidog]

I'm not sure Platini is the magic solution to all FIFA's problems either. New broom needed. Trouble is, the entire organisation is tainted, where are they going to find some incorruptible candidates?

Absolutely this. Given that Platini voted for the Qatari bid has family ties to Qatari companies and Qatari money is flooding into PSG, one may just have the odd question floating around as to his suitability for the post. Where would a decent rival candidate come from? The upper echelons of FIFA appear to be rotten to the core and there is no federation able to offer an unblemished candidate.

Depressing times. Wouldn't be surprised to see Blatter use the Qatar enquiry to maybe stitch Platini up, it would be classic Blatter (who voted for the USA) to use his machiavellian skills to paint himself as the 'good guy' and retain his grip on the organisation.

 

[Screaming J]

If UEFA could split the S Americans away from supporting Septic Bladder then we might have a chance of setting an alternative up to FIFA because - and no disrespect to the likes of Cameroon & S Korea - without the Europeans and S Americans the World Cup would be ****ed. But we don't Platini anywhere near it. Great player but his shennanegans since have really tarnished his legacy.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

I'm interested in why people have such a downer on Platini. I know he's not been particularly complimentary or friendly to English/British football, but I didn't think there was the stench of corruption around him like there is with Blatter. Or have I missed something?

This was an article by David Conn in 2013.

You have to be aware that there is a lot of anti-Platini stuff in a lot of the media - some of which is to do with not liking the message he gives about ownership in English football.

But ask why a person who understands the game would choose a World Cup from Qatar - when there are other options. Then look at what has happened around him, and PSG, and it looks murky. I mean why would anyone choose Qatar ?

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Did anyone see the Dutch rep on SSN the other night seemed to talk and awful lot of sense.

 

[Triggaaar]

Who the hell would want the job anyway with an enquiry into corruption virtually guaranteed, key sponsorship Partners expressing disquiet and two logistical nightmare World Cups to sort out?

I'd love that job. Multimillionaire overnight, and in a position to change football for the better.

The difference is that this is EUFA and its members' pulling power is greater than the rest of FIFA combined - for advertisers anyway which is what FIFA care about. Aside from Brazil and Argentina, the countries that the world wants to see on the telly are all in Europe. If EUFA threaten to boycott a World Cup then the USA and Australia are likely to follow suit as well.

That would be good.

I've got no time at all for Platini but in this case my enemy's enemy is very much my friend.

Unfortunately, I think Platini is just (corrupt) as bad as Blatter.

 

[Doc Lynam]

Death by a thousand paper cuts if we're lucky.