FIFA Officials Arrested on Corruption Charges; Face Extradition to U.S.

Somehow this is turning out to be less exciting than the Steve Sanders Blackball episode of 9o210.

 

133-73 for Sepp. Technically, need a second ballot because no 2/3 majority.

 

You can only laugh.

 

I was wrong.

 

You know, there are banana republic elections that are more level than what was held today in Zurich.
Again- what a fking disgraceful organization.

 

I'm surprised Prince Ali conceded. Isn't he supposed to be as strong as 10 regular men, faced the galloping hoards and 100 bad guys with swords?

(I'm really sorry, I've had that song in my head since I heard the dude's name was Prince Ali)

 

Is anybody really surprised that he was re-elected?

 

Not really. I thought some of the guys might secretly vote against him and I guess some did, but not enough. And the rest know where their bread is buttered.

 

The problem is the one-country, one-vote system within FIFA.

Sepp can grease the skids, and has throughout his presidency, with the 140 smallest nations, all without a prayer of winning a World Cup. He does it with money, which doesn't take a lot with the likes of Singapore, Burkina Faso and Djibouti. A few million in bribes locks in their votes, and bada boom, bada bing.

 

It's not only that these countries don't have a prayer of winning the WC, most don't have a hope of even making the final round of qualifying. CONCACAF has about 35-40 members and most have never even made it to the 12 team semifinal stage. So basically, these guys are ripe for the picking because there aren't real consequences to most of the decisions.

 

I would love to see FIFA crushed, but it is important to not make it seem like an attack by the rich West against Africa and Asia.
Also, let's not complicate this- Washington is getting involved with soccer (strange bedfellows) because it does not want to see Russia host a World Cup.
A little reading between the lines here.