Civil war at FIFA now, Warner opens the box...

[Triggaaar]

It's hardly utter nonsense, 2022 was a far more outrageous decision than ours (Russia had at least a credible case for getting it for the first time). Qatar was a joke, and therefore far more likely to have been for other reasons.

I agree that Qatar is a joke, and it's more obvious that the decision was corrupt. What I think is nonsense is the suggestion that actual corruption didn't play a huge part in 2018 too. Unlike Qatar, Russia do have a genuine claim to host the world cup, but that doesn't mean it was any less corrupt. Lord Treisman didn't make up those allegations, without question Russia will have paid the delegates.

Don't get me wrong, like you it wouldn't surprise me to learn in the future money changed hands on 2018 as well, maybe it did.

We already know it did. Even if we never see the proof, we know.

At the end of the day we don't know so it's best guess time, and I think Qatar is likely to have been a dodgier decision than Russia.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. I don't think there's any doubt. Given how corrupt FIFA is, why on earth wouldn't bribes have played a part.

 

[Simster]

I've no doubt the 2018 decision was as bent as the 2022 one, but IMO, the difference is that the 2022 decision was the one that showed FIFA's utter contempt to all those countries bidding for the hosting rights in good faith, as there is absolutely no way the Qatari bid was better than Australia's.

 

[Easy 10]

The trouble is, the whole World Cup bidding process is effectively one big bribe. Each bidder flys the FIFA delegates over, puts them up in the finest hotels, wines them and dines them, even the FA themselves provided leather handbags as gifts to the delegates wives. Its just a big schmoozing exercise, so its hardly surprising that it inevitably leads to large sums of cash changing hands in exchange for the promise of a vote.

The process of awarding World Cups needs a complete overhaul.

 

[ROSM]

The trouble is, the whole World Cup bidding process is effectively one big bribe. Each bidder flys the FIFA delegates over, puts them up in the finest hotels, wines them and dines them, even the FA themselves provided leather handbags as gifts to the delegates wives. Its just a big schmoozing exercise, so its hardly surprising that it inevitably leads to large sums of cash changing hands in exchange for the promise of a vote.

The process of awarding World Cups needs a complete overhaul.

That's the issue the IOC had until they reorganised and replanned. With FIFA it's only 24 people who make the decision. It's much easier to 'convince' 24 people than it is to convice nearly 200.

You know what they say, you can convince all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time. To do all of the people all of the time, it's much easier if they are a small number and you have deep pockets!

Since we lost the bid for 2018, we've pulled out of a friendly in Thailand, we've cancelled the hotel rooms for the FIFA exco members to attend the 2012 olympics. At least we didn't rename the FA cup the Leoz cup and give him the knighthood he wanted.

And all Blatter can do is to denounce the nasty British press and pander to the smaller federations by highlighting how we (the home nations) have 4 votes at FIFA level and 2 exec committee places. He has threatened many times to end that.

One question though guys, would you as football fans consider it a fair price if in return for a complete change in FIFA and clear transparent football control, the home nations were to lose their individual status and have to compete as a unit?

 

[crodonilson]

The trouble is, the whole World Cup bidding process is effectively one big bribe. Each bidder flys the FIFA delegates over, puts them up in the finest hotels, wines them and dines them, even the FA themselves provided leather handbags as gifts to the delegates wives. Its just a big schmoozing exercise, so its hardly surprising that it inevitably leads to large sums of cash changing hands in exchange for the promise of a vote.

The process of awarding World Cups needs a complete overhaul.

Any ideas Easy??

Perhaps a select panel of footballing great should choose, Pele, Maradona, Cryuff, Wilkins, Zoff etc, people who cannot be bought.

 

[ROSM]

Any ideas Easy??

Perhaps a select panel of footballing great should choose, Pele, Maradona, Cryuff, Wilkins, Zoff etc, people who cannot be bought.

or Platini?................D'oh!!

 

[Tricky Dicky]

One question though guys, would you as football fans consider it a fair price if in return for a complete change in FIFA and clear transparent football control, the home nations were to lose their individual status and have to compete as a unit?

Interesting question but with Scotland as a nation growing ever and ever more separated from England, it would be a slightly strange time to go in this direction. We'd end up with an independant Scotland, but a united UK FA - the opposite from what we have at the mo.

 

[ROSM]

Interesting question but with Scotland as a nation growing ever and ever more separated from England, it would be a slightly strange time to go in this direction. We'd end up with an independant Scotland, but a united UK FA - the opposite from what we have at the mo.

I do agree - but it's been a bugbear of Blatter (and Platini) for a while. What they've never sussed out is that when Scotland are around there's always a guaranteed vote AGAINST England

 

[Tricky Dicky]

I do agree - but it's been a bugbear of Blatter (and Platini) for a while. What they've never sussed out is that when Scotland are around there's always a guaranteed vote AGAINST England

I can only see two ways out of this mess. Either Warner or Bin Hamman have enough factual evidence of corruption so that SB and the rest of the executive can't possibly continue in the current form, or the major sponsors start putting the boot in. Otherwise, regardless of what anyone says, it business as usual.

 

[Dave the OAP]

this is rife all over the world. whilst in Dominica I asked the tour guide why there were so many new buildings around in a basically poor country...she said they were all built by the Chinese Government. I asked her what did they want in return and she said all they want is their vote in teh UN...that was all. So the schools, roads and cricket stadium was all built for one vote!

 

[beorhthelm]

One question though guys, would you as football fans consider it a fair price if in return for a complete change in FIFA and clear transparent football control, the home nations were to lose their individual status and have to compete as a unit?

i dont see how there's any link between the two. even if it were to come up, they have seperate FA's recognised by UEFA and FIFA. UEFA would have to make the first move seeing as they admit their clubs into the Champions Leauge, and all the little football nations such as San Marino, Lichenstien, Faroe islands, Belgium would be wary of supporting this in case they were next for the chop.

as for the solution to deciding WC venue, its simple really: stated objectives/criteria to be met by bidders, no unofficial hospitailty of the decision making comittee. i understand the IOC members arent even allowed to travel to bid nations, definatly the sort of policy to adopt towards stamping out corruption.

 

[sydney]

fifa is rotten to the core and Blatter is a f***ing megalomaniac " don't interfere , this is fifa's house" what a plonker , the white Mugabe...!!!

 

[Triggaaar]

One question though guys, would you as football fans consider it a fair price if in return for a complete change in FIFA and clear transparent football control, the home nations were to lose their individual status and have to compete as a unit?

I also don't think these things are related. If you had a new FIFA with transparency, why would they need us to play as one team?

Perhaps a select panel of footballing great should choose, Pele, Maradona, Cryuff, Wilkins, Zoff etc, people who cannot be bought.

Nah, just because someone used to kick a ball doesn't mean they can't be bought.

I can only see two ways out of this mess. Either Warner or Bin Hamman have enough factual evidence of corruption so that SB and the rest of the executive can't possibly continue in the current form, or the major sponsors start putting the boot in. Otherwise, regardless of what anyone says, it business as usual.

Indeed, and we actually have the power to go with option 2. There are a lot of football fans in this country, and possibly a fair number in the US and Australia that would also care about FIFA having a complete overhall. If they got together and agreed to boycott (as much as they were able to) the brands that sponser FIFA, there's a fair chance those companies would force a change.

this is rife all over the world. whilst in Dominica I asked the tour guide why there were so many new buildings around in a basically poor country...she said they were all built by the Chinese Government. I asked her what did they want in return and she said all they want is their vote in teh UN...that was all. So the schools, roads and cricket stadium was all built for one vote!

Wow, great example, particularly when you think of how many people there are in China living in poverty. We all know there's corruption all over the world, it's easy to underestimate just how much. But that doesn't mean there has to be corruption in all organisations.

as for the solution to deciding WC venue, its simple really: stated objectives/criteria to be met by bidders, no unofficial hospitailty of the decision making comittee. i understand the IOC members arent even allowed to travel to bid nations, definatly the sort of policy to adopt towards stamping out corruption.

Exactly, and the voting process needs to be transparent. It's like when interviewing someone for a job in the NHS, you have to give marks for the questions answered and everything has to be fair - even if you know the candidate applying is a total nightmare, if that's not shown in the interview process it's ignored. Daft, but fair and transparent.

 

[Mr Blobby]

I agree that Qatar is a joke, and it's more obvious that the decision was corrupt. What I think is nonsense is the suggestion that actual corruption didn't play a huge part in 2018 too. Unlike Qatar, Russia do have a genuine claim to host the world cup, but that doesn't mean it was any less corrupt. Lord Treisman didn't make up those allegations, without question Russia will have paid the delegates..

I agree, Russia will be potentially a great world cup experiance, but Qatar will be dire. I went to Qatar for the England v Brazil friendly and to be honest the 3 days we had out there were enough. The whole experience for fans will turn into one of bordem if you spent the whole 5 weeks out there. I really do not see what Qatar has to offer as a World Cup host from a supporters point of view. It will all be based in one city, will be too hot and what legacy will be left? The only land linked country (Saudi Arabia) will not allow people to enter from Qatar. I do not see how this bid could have made a better case than Australia from a supporters point of view! But as everyone knows, money talks!

What happens if Isreal qualify as Israeli passport not accepted?

 

[vulture]

they need brightonmark1234 and 1066 gull

 

[ROSM]

I also don't think these things are related. If you had a new FIFA with transparency, why would they need us to play as one team?

If you look at the recent history of FIFA and UEFA you will see that it has been Blatter's and Platini's intention to weaken the position of the home nations (further than it has been already). They have used their control of us as a sop to improve their standing with African and Asian federations to such an extent that if there was to be a FIFA created now we would struggle to get agreement to our current position.

I, you and others may see this as two separate issues but for many in those federations they now see this as linked so all I'm saying is that if we wish to see real change then it is likely that there will be change closer to home - albeit that we may:

- remain as 4 nations but have restricted voting powers (san marino competes in its own right but doesn't get a full vote except in full council meetings such as the vote for president and others see a set of votes being held by federations such as CONCACAF which has 3 votes as exco and 6 votes in general despite being nearly 15 nations)

- or say that only 1 representative can sit on the executive committee

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

Radio 5Live reporting issues with cheap imported labour being used for the huge stadiums and infrastructure projects in Qatar ahead of 2022.

Workers not allowed union membership and employment rights, in otherwords 'exploitation'. International Union body wants FIFA to take this up with authorities in Qatar.

What a contrast to the overflowing trough that Blatter and his FIFA cronies have their snouts in.

 

[Questions]

Transparency in Sport



Click on it, scroll down and then take your pick.

Plenty of chances from our governing body to have made a stand years ago. This is about losing out to Russia.

Blatter has secured his power base over the years by endearing himself to the African, South American and to a certain degree Asian governing bodies by obviously putting a few bob their way. That is more than they ever got before he took office when we kept them very much under our thumb. They`ve got a say in things now - Europe doesn`t rule the roost in quite the same way as it once did and thats why we wont get any support over this postponement of elections plea.
208 F.A.`s worldwide is it ? can you hear the stampede of the others coming to help........................................

Oh f*** me, there`s only Scotland coming. Yippee.

 

[vegster]

Transparency in Sport

A minor difficulty, I'm sure the "FIFA Family" will have answers for all these baseless slurs.

 

[Questions]

A minor difficulty, I'm sure the "FIFA Family" will have answers for all these baseless slurs.

Fifa will do what they always do Veg. The point I am making is why are we getting on our high horses NOW ?

What has happened to the Louis Vuiton handbags ? Have we got them all back ?

We`ve just jumped on the Boo-Hoo bandwagon as far as I`m concerned.