Soccer nerds... FIFA just blew up..

[Xenomorph]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/s...ion-charges-blatter-isnt-among-them.html?_r=0

 

[Maroon Eagle]

I didn't get much sleep because I've been following the story and snark via twitter and there's so much fun. Europeans are joking that this is an American invasion they can support and that this is the best day ever in FIFA...

 

[aTotal360]

Does it even matter? They will just shovel more corrupt South Americans into the mix.

 

[FlotownDawg]

Can't believe it finally happened

Swiss federal agents are also conducting an investigation about bribes and kickbacks when it came to the votes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Hopefully this will lead to them throwing out the bids and revoting. Either one of those World Cups would look good in the USA.

 

[121Josey]

*Yawn* I thought this was going to be a story about the USMNT falling below 28th in the World Rankings.**

 

[GhostOfJackie]

It would be great to get them in the USA, but it be even better to get them out of Qatar and Russia. Those are 2 terrible options to hold events as big as the Olympics or the World Cup. It's illegal in Qatar to "show alcohol or be drunk in public" and that's the very thing that World Cup fans like to do.

Not to mention it's hot as **** in the summer there. And don't even get me started on why rewarding Russia with anything is a bad idea right now.

 

[patdog]

2018 World Cup should have gone to England, with 2022 to the USA. I agree with the earlier poster, this is a great day for soccer. Best thing that could happen would be for FIFA to be completely dismantled and rebuilt from scratch.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

If you pull the WC out of Qatar, then all those Indian workers will have died for nothing.

Of course, if you pull it out now then no more will have to die.

 

[PineGroveBully]

In that part of the world so many were gonna die anyhow

At least they probably got paid for a while. At least we wouldn't hafta see the worlds best players collapsing and dieing from heat stroke. That could be a nightmare that could quell the world cups surge in popularity. I knew as soon as Qatar was announced that someone on the selection committee was most defiantly on the take.

 

[aTotal360]

The Qatar WC will not be played in the summer. It will be moved back to Nov-Dec. Highs in the mid 80s.

 

[BiscuitEater]

Time ..

to totally clean house. Fire everyone; start with new folks; add bylaws that ban anyone or organization "FOREVER" if caught giving / accepting 'anything' of value .. including media, advertisers and even countries.

Cancel 2018 & 2022 choice of countries and redo; cancel every advertising and media contract; go to an 'open' system where FIFA only has a 'limited' budget and any real $$ is donated to improve soccer/sports around the world.

As long as there are big $$ in FIFA, there will be corruption. ONLY way to rid corruption is to take the $$ out of the process.

 

[patdog]

Dan Wetzel weighs in with his usual good column on this. Only surprise is that more weren't indicted.

Link

 

[patdog]

 

[CochiseCowbell]

 

[seshomoru]

At least they probably got paid for a while. At least we wouldn't hafta see the worlds best players collapsing and dieing from heat stroke. That could be a nightmare that could quell the world cups surge in popularity. I knew as soon as Qatar was announced that someone on the selection committee was most defiantly on the take.

Well... they first have to take out a "loan" with a recruitment company. They move them into work camps and crowd them into barracks. They aren't paid. A small stipend is sent to their families, which is why the poorest of the poor in the world sign up for it. Then, if they don't die from on site accidents (there isn't exactly OSHA over there), heat stroke, disease, starvation, or whatever.... they get to go home if they work off their original debt.

What is going on in Quatar is a human rights tragedy. It's slavery at worst, a form of sharecropping at best. Hell, I think it should be considered mass murder. For once, I actually think we need to boycott, and UEFA needs to get their countries on board with it, too.

 

[patdog]

UEFA needs to get their countries on board with it, too.

I would love to see UEFA refuse to release their players from league play for the 2022 World Cup.

 

[Bulldogg31]

I'd love to see the U.S., England, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, and the like get together and say "Hey, we're gonna have a soccer/futbol tournament every four years starting in 2018. Rest of the world, you are welcome to come participate. Otherwise, good luck with FIFA."

"Oh by the way, we're gonna have a big track and field, swimming, and basketball tournament every four years too. Ya'll come on."

 

[Shamoan]

pfff....fifa is bigger than the us. that snake is so tangled it doesnt know how to slither straight.

 

[thf24]

Far more will die if it continues than have already died.

 

[DAWG61]

Qatar has to build an entire brand new CITY as one of the stipulations. From absolutely nothing but dirt/sand. They also have to build 12 football stadiums, start a functioning professional league and build a television and media network capable of handling the World Cup. Oh yea and build multiple airports, train stations and a bus transportation system able to support millions of incoming fans. They will never get it all done in time. Qatar holding the World Cup is like Reform, Alabama holding the Olympics.

 

[patdog]

EUFA could put FIFA out of business if it wanted to. If the winter Qatar World Cup actually happens, don't release players from England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France leagues and put on a special Euro Cup in the summer and invite teams from other Federations.

 

[patdog]

Qatar holding the World Cup is like Reform, Alabama holding the Olympics.

Or this.

 

[Bulldogg31]

That's what I mean. Other than a video game I just don't see what FIFA brings to the table.

Much like the NCAA where the P5 conferences sort of allow them to be "in charge". When the true soccer powers of the world fonally say enough is enough then FIFA and Sepp Blatter will be a governing body with no bodies to govern.

 

[The Peeper]

How can you tell when they are "collapsing and dying from heat stroke" or when they are simply flopping and faking it?

 

[DAWG61]

How can you tell when they are "collapsing and dying from heat stroke" or when they are simply flopping and faking it?

Look at which jersey they are wearing

 

[patdog]

Same way you can tell if a football player is really injured or just wants to lay on the field for a few minutes, have a trainer come out and look at him for a couple of minutes, then hop up and trot off the field and be back in the game 1 play later.

 

[Xenomorph]

Damn.. Martin Scorsese should make this Wolf of Wall Street style...

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/28/football/who-is-chuck-blazer/index.html

 

[Maroon Eagle]

This is also a good story about him: Link.