Ode to the beautiful game... (Soccer)

[Deleted member 40371]

He will win easily, only 45 countries out of 53 in Europe (excludes Spain and Russia), Australia, USA, New Zealand, Canada have promised vote for Ali. So he could win very easily after the 1st round.

 

[Vagabond]

So, is the smoke black or white?

 

[Deleted member 40371]

So, is the smoke black or white?

We are still L in the alphabetical order, I watching this while doing something else. In case you didn't realise, the countries are called in alphabetical order to vote.

This is slower than Olympics athletes march past, at least Olympic march-past is interesting with all the costumes. Here, except for Bhutan, everyone looks like penguins.

 

[Buzz]

What wouldn't I give to see at the end of the voting for the FBI & Swiss authorities to march in and arrest the lot of them! Blatter included!

 

[Vagabond]

What wouldn't I give to see at the end of the voting for the FBI & Swiss authorities to march in and arrest the lot of them! Blatter included!

We are traveling in the footsteps
Of those who've gone before
But we'll all be reunited (but if we stand reunited)
On a new and sunlit shore (then a new world is in store)

Oh when the Swiss go marching in
When the Swiss go marching in
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Swiss go marching in

And when the sun refuses to shine
And when the sun refuses to shine
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Swiss go marching in

When the moon turns red with blood
When the moon turns red with blood
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Swiss go marching in

On that hallelujah day
On that hallelujah day
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Swiss go marching in

O when the trumpet sounds the call
O when the trumpet sounds the call
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Swiss go marching in

Some say this world of trouble
Is the only one we need
But I'm waiting for that morning
When the new world is revealed

When the revelation comes
When the revelation comes
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Swiss go marching in

When the rich go out and work
When the rich go out and work
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Swiss go marching in

When the air is pure and clean
When the air is pure and clean
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Swiss go marching in

When we all have food to eat
When we all have food to eat
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Swiss go marching in

When our leaders learn to cry
When our leaders learn to cry
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Swiss go marching in

 

[Deleted member 40371]

Nobody has 2/3 majority

73 for Ali - 133 for Blatter... 3 invalid votes

A simple majority is required in the 2nd round of voting.

 

[Buzz]

So despite everything Blatter was just 7 votes short of winning outright.

 

[skatefan]

meh, can't believe the way this vote has gone

 

[Buzz]

Prince Ali has withdrawn from the race, so Blatter is the winner. I will still support Man U, the EPL and the Champions League, but I am done with the World Cup until FIFA is truly reformed and Blatter is gone.

 

[Cachoo]

Go Europe! I hope they make good on their threat and leave.

 

[Buzz]

Except that Platini backed Qatar for the 2022 WC which has me seriously doubting that he is any better than Blatter.

Talking about this, and his backing of Qatar for the 2022 World Cup which has embroiled him in controversy, Platini maintains his guiding force is to "protect" a game he still loves. He rejects the notion brewed in some quarters here that he is anti-English – "It isn't possible" – but while celebrating its grand traditions, flourishing Premier League and large crowds, he does say England has sold the

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/may/24/michel-platini-uefa-football

 

[beepbeep]

Hopeless sh!t is hopeless.

 

[Cachoo]

I have so much appreciation now for David Stern and the NBA and the late Pete Rozelle and the NFL. I may not have agreed with all of their moves but I do think they tried to have transparency while they were "growing" their respective sports.
Of course they were not dealing with the whole world.

FIFA is sitting on billions of dollars: There is so much good they could do in the name of their sport. Giving some official thousands of dollars might help the official build his swimming pool but how is that helping the country he represents? Does FIFA actually do good or is it all lip service?

If it is all lip service I wish someone important would have the balls to promote a boycott.

 

[Aussie Willy]

Love this analysis of FIFA by John Oliver before the World Cup last year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlJEt2KU33I

 

[Buzz]

Sepp Blatter has lashed out at the FBI and his critics. This is unbelievable.
http://www.theguardian.com/football...on-charges-as-sepp-blatter-retains-presidency

 

[Lisa]

In an interview with Swiss television, Blatter said he suspected the arrest of seven Fifa officials in Zurich on Wednesday under a US anti-corruption warrant was an attempt to “interfere with the congress” on Friday at which he retained his post.

He told RTS: “No one is going to tell me that it was a simple coincidence, this American attack two days before the elections of Fifa. It doesn’t smell good.

This reaction was totally predictable, even more so because it fits very well with Putin's analysis of the arrests in Zurich. Just like in old Cold War times, it's the USA imposing their values on the rest of the world

The timing wasn't coincidental? So what? This would simply prove that Loretta Lynch knows very well what she's doing. But it doesn't alter the fact that FIFA is guilty of corruption and lack of transparency. If Sepp Blatter's reform had not been merely superficial, there would be no need for Lynch to act.

I'd love to see all the European countries who oppose Blatter to leave FIFA or at the very least boycott the World Cups as long as the problem is not solved. But frankly, I don't believe it will happen. Soccer is such a big thing in Europe, it's like baseball and basketball and football combined. And of course, there is a lot of money to be made.

After Blatter’s re-election, Fifa sponsors Coca-Cola, Budweiser and McDonald’s called for quick moves to transparency. Credit card company Visa has threatened to “reassess” its sponsorship if Fifa does not clean up its act, while Hyundai has said it is “extremely concerned” at the new scandals.

If the sponsors pulled out, there might be a real chance for reform. Unless Blatter finds new sponsors ...

 

[Aussie Willy]

This ain't over. It would be hilarious if Septic Bladder is also charged.

 

[ballettmaus]

I wish everyone (sponsors, UEFA) would stop talking about how disappointed and shocked they are and actually act accordingly. But as long as they only talk I'm inclined to not believe they mean what they say. It's not like their actions would be insignificant, they hold the power.

And Blatter's statements are just ridiculous. That man is unbelievable!

 

[Mafke]

I'm thinking an organized fan boycott of the next two World Cups is in order. Hitting FIFA in the pocket book is the only language they understand.

Plus, who wants to watch the World Cup built by slave labor? Obscene.

 

[Cachoo]

I don't like Putin but I honestly didn't think Russia was a bad choice. It is more about how voters arrived at that choice. Qatar: I'm not even sure what to say about that. What a surprise that Sepp lashes out after he is elected again. I think if the sponsors pull out Blatter has billions he can use to keep the world cup afloat. That is why I think the only way to conquer is to leave. But that is a very big and brave step. What we all know is that these crooks do not have the best interests of the players at heart. They have hijacked the game.

 

[Buzz]

I will believe UEFA and Michel Platini will keep their word and pull out of FIFA when I see it. I haven't forgotten the rumours that circulated a few years ago that the French traded their support for Qatar's bid for the 2022 WC in exchange for Qatari investment in France.

 

[clairecloutier]

I'd like to see UEFA and some sponsors pull out and boycott FIFA. The decision to give the World Cup to Qatar was beyond ridiculous and obviously the result of corruption. I also don't agree with Russia getting 2018 but that at least is somewhat defensible, whereas Qatar is not. Pulling out is obviously the nuclear option, but nothing less will lead to change I think, unless they can somehow force Blatter to resign. Which I hope may yet happen.

 

[Lara]

In less disappointing news - yay Arsenal!!!

 

[Buzz]

Jack Warner in Trinidad mean time is jubilant and confident for a man facing serious charges. He is also comparing himself to Mandela and Gandhi.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-32940856

 

[Aussie Willy]

I don't like Putin but I honestly didn't think Russia was a bad choice. It is more about how voters arrived at that choice. Qatar: I'm not even sure what to say about that. What a surprise that Sepp lashes out after he is elected again. I think if the sponsors pull out Blatter has billions he can use to keep the world cup afloat. That is why I think the only way to conquer is to leave. But that is a very big and brave step. What we all know is that these crooks do not have the best interests of the players at heart. They have hijacked the game.

They were probably building up a war chest for a moment just like this.

BTW - here is Jon Stewart's take on the FIFA thing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsmTMmPR8xw

 

[Buzz]

Part of the problem with FIFA is that all 209 members are treated equally. So when money is being given out, China, India, and the U.S. with a combined population of about 2.5 billion, will get the same amount of money as Tuvalu, Mauru, and Faroe Islands who all have a combined population of about 70,000. That is a lot of money, and those countries love the status quo and will not soon give it up for anything. And they all love Sepp Blatter, so it doesn't matter how dirty FIFA is, as long as the cash is flowing their way, they are happy.

 

[Lisa]

In an interview yesterday evening, the president of the German soccer association (DFB), Wolfgang Niersbach, excluded boycotting the World Cup.

 

[Deleted member 40371]

Part of the problem with FIFA is that all 209 members are treated equally. So when money is being given out, China, India, and the U.S. with a combined population of about 2.5 billion, will get the same amount of money as Tuvalu, Mauru, and Faroe Islands who all have a combined population of about 70,000. That is a lot of money, and those countries love the status quo and will not soon give it up for anything. And they all love Sepp Blatter, so it doesn't matter how dirty FIFA is, as long as the cash is flowing their way, they are happy.

Yet, both India and China are firm supporters of Blatter, that says a lot about how bad UEFA option is considered by these countries (if they even think UEFA can bring someone with legitimacy). In fact, World U-17 world cup are to be held in India in 2017. FIFA is corrupt, but UEFA is not saints either. When Platini, during his press conference says we made FIFA and we have lost our voice to new countries joining in etc, is not going to win UEFA any new votes. Shows a deep routed arrogance within them. These countries now have a voice in general council to elect the president, they definitely don't want give it away.

As for sponsors, if someone of them withdraws, new sponsors will join, especially from countries like China, this is what BBC Radio show was suggesting. When countries like Spain and France start voting for Blatter, so called unity among UEFA is shredded.

One veteran FIFA insider told the Mail on Sunday that Blatter’s supporters within Europe include Turkey, Cyprus, Finland, as well as France, Spain and Russia.

UEFA has serious communication problem with Asian and African countries and needs to work with them if they need any hope of ousting Blatter.

 

[ballettmaus]

In an interview yesterday evening, the president of the German soccer association (DFB), Wolfgang Niersbach, excluded boycotting the World Cup.

Why am I not surprised?

 

[Lisa]

Very obviously, the European federations are more interested in their priviledges than in the greater good. Who cares about human lifes? Sorry for being bitter, but I just cannot stand this hypocrisy! We are always talking about democracy and transparency - but when it comes to stand up and fight for the values that are ours, we prefer to remain seated comfortably on the sofa, preferably in front of the TV watching soccer, and leave the values to politicians ... and to the United States who thankfully do more than just talk about democracy.
If only Italy, Great-Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Portugal and Germany agreed on boycotting the World Cup in Qatar, things would necessarily change. And I bet they'd be joined by other big soccer countries, too.
I would like Germany as the reigning World champion to take the initiative and act now, as long as human lifes can be saved. But obviously, this is not going to happen.