91Èȱ¬

Its a joke. Imagine if this kind of thing happened in government there would be outrage

Would a head of a company have charges relating to bribery dropped by a prosecutor just because the were no longer in a position to carry out the bribery?

Ah but FIFA is not part of the real world so any real world rules do not apply, the court in Zug shows this, when could a company stop a FoI request granted by a court.

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He can now retire on his "windfalls"

Lets face it FIFA covering up corruption is not really news any more...just same old..same old.

Apart from the Brits who really cares?

Is it possible for a 91Èȱ¬ journalist to ask FIFA whether Jack Warner received any pay off as compensation for loss of office (or in my cynical mind to buy his silence). I think it's unlikely FIFA will give a straight answer to such a question but their silence will speak volumns.

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FIFA is allowed to work in this manner only because the various federations enable the behavior. The key question is: Do the major federations, such as UEFA, have the appetite to band together and leave FIFA? The other federations will follow Europe and South America. If there truly is such outrage, start over.

To Jesus the TeddyBear (#3)

What is the meaning of life?
Something about being nice to people. See the Monty Python film "The Meaning of Life" for the full answer

Is River Song really who she claims to be?
Wait and see

Could Marvin really be that depressed and not consider suicide?
No - from what I remember of the books I think he has considered it

Its not Thors fault he got annoyed at the airport, who can really blame him?
I can. Just because you're a god doesn't mean you shouldn't have self control

Is a STD you caught on a toilet seat still really a STD?
Yes - you just didn't catch it the normal way

Should Arther really have lived on the same planet as the Krickets?
Pretty certain this is another hitchhikers reference right? In which case - yes

I think it is a little unfair to expect David to have answers to all the questions about FIFA, though I definitely think this blog was thrown together very quickly with the news that Warner has quit and I believe that David would have served us better by taking a bit longer and even if he doesn't have answers, maybe at least letting us know what he thinks about some of the questions he raised.

Then we could all jump on him for not having the same opinion as us ;)

Jack Warner is a politician in his native land.

FIFA strongly resist 'political interference' in the dealings of national football associations, and have suspended Kuwait, Bosnia, Albania (the first 3 that came up when I searched) for such a 'crime' in the past.

But Jack Warner is a politician in his native land.

But FIFA strongly resist political interference in...

Sorry, I've been stuck in a logical loop over this all day. There's no sign of my breaking out of it in the near future.

...Hang on a minute! Isn't Jack Warner a politician in his native land? And don't FIFA strongly resist political interference in the affairs of football associations?

@14.

To be honest, it really annoys me blogs like this.

Of course nobody is expecting Mr Bond to have all the answers, but this is just pure laziness in my opinion.

Its not worth the paper (so to speak) it is written on, and I would be surprised if it took more than 5 minutes to write, for all the faults of 606 some of the posts even on there had more content than this.

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Surprised that you didn't mention that UEFA have already asked that FIFA move to implement changes to their structure and operations within the next 6 months to counter allegations of corruption.

Glad Warner had gone but why did it take this one to sink him and not all the previous allegations? I suspect there is a quid pro quo: Warner won't mention anything about FIFA and FIFA won't ask for anything back, and all will be pleasant.

And the problem with #8's question is that FIFA is not accounable to anyone and is not obliged to answer any questions about anyone, anytime, anywhere or anything...

This blog is really poorly constructed...Mr Bond, if you have something to say, spend more than a few minutes setting up the lower classes... As it is, it's nothing more than FIFA appear to be doing, but at a lower level...

I am just surprised we have not yet had the bombardment of the FIFAphiles who like to defend anything FIFA do, with the counter that the English are arrogant and still bitter over the last world cup bid, and therefore have no grounds to make observations about the 'FIFA family'.

I think the English FA should just up sticks and leave FIFA - at the moment is a really expensive way to see you country humiliated at world cups and trying to host them. Ok, so I am sitting here in the knowledge that are national team are awful and will be lucky to get past the last 16 of any world cups for 10 years.... but I am truely outraged with how pathetic FIFA continues to be, and shows absolutely no willingness to change while the Fattest Cat sits at the top of the pile.

Once you accept that England wont be competing at the world cups (Im not sure we ever competed in SA though tbh) you can enjoy the football much more, watching Angola play Serbia or whatever and not stressed about whether the next overpayed Wayne Rooney has bothered to sweat for the Three Lions.

Who knows, some of the other under performing nations may follow suite, but dont expect Spain to walk out!

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Of course it's "Blatter's old FIFA at work" and it will be for the foreseeable future...as Kentbee says, Apart from the Brits who really cares?

...presumption of innocence... ...ethics committee... so everything is hunky dory then in the FIFA family. Its long overdue for Platini and EUFA to make a real stand, whoops as if they care, they're eating at the same trough.

And neither are the FA above all of this, given their role in the Blatter/Johannson election.


If it weren't so sickenly pitiful, I'd be rolling on the floor laughing

Im confused, surely someone so blatantly involved in corruption should be in prison. In the case of MP expenses there were notable prosecutions of politicians as well as those that were forced to pay back the stolen funds.
Another notable example of Blatter 'sweeping it under the rug'. First an uncontested election and now suppression of information- he should be an adviser for Gaddaffi

And all this is for the good of the game. Ridiculous!!!

I don't know why people are moaning about the brevity of this blog. I'm just glad it's up so there is somewhere to comment about this absolute farce. I usually only read the responses anyway.

It is quite amazing that even today, corrupt and unpopular governments can still be brought down by the people, with or without an election, but FIFA remain untouchable unaccountable, and as a result continue on their merry way, doing what they want to suit their own needs.

A Milwall FC song has just sprung to mind that fits the bill as the FIFA anthem.

Federation
International
Fiddling
Accounts

So he resigns and therefore faces no trial or investigation into allegged wrongdoings
that he abused his position as a FIFA representative

An absolute joke

Unfortunately FIFA will not clean up its act unless there is defiance from the majority of the football associations to make a stand which will never happen because its part of the politics

Sadly, this looks like more of the "same old same old" from FIFA. Is there any other organization that would tolerate such incompetence from their executives?
Sadly, this shows that Blatter's pronouncements about accountability and transparency are meaningless blather, just weasel words from the chief weasel. Is there nobody at FIFA who is ashamed? Probably not.

Is there nobody at FIFA who is ashamed? Probably not.
-------------------------------------------------------

Sadly, I suspect they are feeling proud rather than ashamed.

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I would dearly love to remove the FA from FIFA, but the price wouldn't just be International football. I think it's fair to say with some degree of certainty that the odds of Platini's UEFA banning English club teams from all European competition in response would be against us. Unfortunately English football cannot survive without the draw of the Champion's League, the Premier League would dry up over night.

I like how we have reporters with the determination and integrity to say what needs to be said, good and bad, even it if that wasn't really the case in this blog.

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FIFA has been playing these sort of games for years, but it seems we (The Brits) only get upset about them if they affect us.

If we had won the bid to win the 2018 World Cup, I believe the England National team would of just got back from a friendly in Thailand. One of the things alleged to of been offered in return for a vote to England...

The FA has played these games as well, but now it suits them not to.

I hope now the FA and the British press keep the pressure on FIFA to clean their act up.

If not, perhaps it is time for the power house FA's (England, Germany, Spain, Italy and France) to set up a rival to FIFA, in a model similar to the darts. That certainly does not seem to of done Messrs Taylor and co any harm, with the sport arguably as popular as ever.

@34,

Would that really be a high price to pay? Heaven forbid that the exorbitant wages that our so called world class players command would no longer be avaible to them and who knows, if we were to withdraw from FIFA and get banned from European competion by UEFA, we may end up with players who play the game for the love of the game and with passion..........if only.......

I feel sorry for the people of T&T if this is the standard of politician they get. Why would anyone see this as being good for football over all? If someone resigns from a company and they are being investigated for a crime, that investigation doesn't stop. More stuff being swept under the carpet by that gang of thieves FIFA. With Blatter the biggest crook of them all.

You have to laugh - don't you? Bet Jack Warner is in his retirement villa.

Surely the money these guys comes have been mis-using must have a legal source that will eventually call them to account.....

If the FA leave FIFA, it's not just no international football, it's not just no european football, it's all the foreign players who wouldn't get licenses to play in England (FIFA would suspend them for playing outside the family) so the Premiership dies overnight into the equivilent of the Championship.
Now if UEFA left FIFA, they could host their own international championships and invite other class footballing countries (Brazil, Argentina etc) to join in.
But we all know they won't.

If the FA leave FIFA, it's not just no international football, it's not just no european football, it's all the foreign players who wouldn't get licenses to play in England (FIFA would suspend them for playing outside the family) so the Premiership dies overnight into the equivilent of the Championship.
Now if UEFA left FIFA, they could host their own international championships and invite other class footballing countries (Brazil, Argentina etc) to join in.
But we all know they haven't got the guts to anger Blatter.

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Fiddling International Football Again !!!

Did he go or was he pushed. There could be a few more to go from the The old tie club of 24.

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I am actually very sorry Mr Warner has resigned. Certainly it would have brought some light to this whole misguided affair, but I am not surprised its sorted the FIFA way. Having said that, this was nothing but a classic American led betrayal by those who dined at the same table with Jack for all those years. But let the world know he played a significant part in developing football in the region, he gave a voice to the smallest of islands and notwithstanding his many faults, he served the region well. Let him without sin cast the first stone. I hope these small islands remember that and elect another friend of Caribbean football.

There's no point imagining UEFA would split from FIFA given the role of Mr Platini in both organisations. There has to be a world governing body so 'killing or curing' the current one has to be the best option.

The real power behind FIFA is their sponsors. The sooner everyone decides to avoid these companies' products and services, the sooner we'll see genuine reform in FIFA.

Without wishing to cast any aspersions about Warner's integrity the FIFA decision to drop their investigation stinks. It is effectively giving carte blanche to anyone on the FIFA committee to do whatever they like and they will be "presumed innocent" providing they resign before any ethics committee investigation into their actions has been completed.

And Blatter claims to be cleaning up FIFA and making it more transparent?? What a load of.....

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I have been banging on about the unsuitability of FIFA to run world football for some time.

Things will not get any better guys, ever. There are too many people with vested interests in positions of power - including at the FA.

Unless someone starts a campaign with media backing for an alternative world governing body then it will always remain same old FIFA.

Imagine that ..... a world governing body that does things like cap players' wages, introduce video technology, enforce a culture of respect throughout the game, introduce maximum terms for its president, hold open committee meetings for selection of venues for major events.......

It can be done but requires mass marketing, major media and corporate backers and those at the Premier League to take a big risk and affiliate itself with a different governing body running the game under a different set of rules.....

Come on England - we can do it - BACK THE RID!!

A whitewash. So now no investigation, Warner walks away scot-free, FIFA remains as it ever was. FIFA are indeed foolish if they can't see that this raises far more questions than it answers, and leaves its reputation even lower than before, something some of us thought wasn't possible. Root-and-branch reform, with everything out in the open, is was what's needed, and as soon as possible. The whole organisation gives the impression of being rotten to the core and pressure for change can only but increase.

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Jack Warner was a loyal servant to FIFA for many years. He has retired without a blemish on his character. And a nice fat pension, which he will need, as he has never been in receipt of bribes or otherwise corrupt funds.

As he has resigned with honour and is no longer a FIFA member, the FIFA Ethics Committee investigation into Mr Warner's alleged activities will cease. No proof of Mt Walker's alleged guilt has ever been made public, and none ever will.

We are sad to lose Mr Warner's services, but his decisions, which he took on his own, without coercion, removes that dark cloud of false accusation that hing over him and thus, over FIFA. His departure makes FIFA more transparent, as it allows the football-loving public and World media to see right through the organisation and its officers.

There is no corruption at FIFA. None will be found and none will be admitted to.

There is no crisis of honesty at FIFA.

And you all thought that whitewash was just for the pitch markings!

"...the presumption of innocence is maintained...." This is an oxymoron. Until we have a body of incorruptible individuals of high moral fibre, with checks and balances, and due process and recourse, we reserve the right to interpret.

It's a total disgrace, but hardly a surprise. They don't know what ethics mean, far less be able to apply them.

However, at least this way we're saved a sham investigation that pretends Warner has done no wrong, simply to save implicating others!

@ 13 and 40, UEFA won't do anything.





@ 18, anything UEFA may have said was part of the posturing surrounding the FIFA Congress and the unopposed re-election of Sepp Blatter thereat to make it appear that change is on the cards when it is clear there will be no substantive change.

I was saddened to see the lack of support for the FA when it tried to stop the election. I wrote to the Canadian Association who are part of CONCAF and got some spineless drivel about supporting FIFA in troubled times. Makes you wonder if any of them were "good friends" of Warner's!

FIFA is a joke and it's time the football world stood up and said NO MORE!

I might be wrong, but isn't it the case that while you're innocent until proven guilty in the UK, in France you're guilty till proven innocent? Which philosophy does the Federation Internationale de Football Association adhere to?

re comment 1: What makes you think this behaviour doesn't go on in government foxestom8?? Why do you suppose that the governments of the world (or at least of the football playing nations) don't get together to kick Fifa out & replace it with a new, professional, ethical & transparent organisation??? (& come to that, how come FIFA's sponsors are still happy to sponsor them???) Well, you'll have to draw your own conclusions ('cos mine will undoubtably be 'moderated') Though I suspect that our glorious leaders are happy to preserve the status quo & continue to 'play the game' as they always have & not raise too much fuss (perhaps in case awkward questions may be raised concerning their own past complicities???) The only time it appears they want to make a fuss it seems is when they play the game & it backfires on them - nothing like a sore loser! But will anyone do anything positive, constructive & hopefully radical about it??? I suspect not. The only consolation I can take from this whole sorry mess is sooner or later (hopefully sooner!!!) those responsible for blatant abuses of power & privilige will have to give account of themselves to their maker. Oh to be a fly on the wall on that day - they won't hide nothing from Him!!

another useless post by mr. bond

"Did he go or was he pushed" or was it simply an insultingly blatant cover up?

Evidently Jack woke up and was reminded his house was built of glass, along with the rest of them. Nobody seriously thought FIFA would let their dirty washing get a public airing. We're talking major gagging order.

Money is the only way to get their attention so perhaps a global campaign to boycott a few international fixtures. Start with the friendlies as they appear to serve no purpose whatsoever. Yeah, I know we only have a few billion to convince but with the internet we also have a global voice and Rome as they say....

Plenty of time before we witness the Farce in the Desert.

ps. no sign of a conscience, but if you listen closely you might hear the sound of laughter behind closed doors.

@Artychoke.

CSA, OSA, District Associations = fiefdoms in their own right.

Why is FIFA above the law? They will not allow political interference because they do not want to be accountable to anyone.

The sooner the EU decides that in actual fact a company that resides in their territory is accountable the better. England should not withdraw from FIFA, the euro politicians from England and Scotland should enforce the law on 'Blatter's Boys Club'.

You post a non-controversial comment and seven hours later it's still being "referred for further consideration". Well done 91Èȱ¬ - for trying to kill/censor debate.

"Yes, Warner's departure from the executive committee of Fifa will do wonders to improve Fifa's image." Yes: in England (and maybe Wales?) England demanded a few heads and got a bunch of Africans (you can throw Warner in there), a Pacific Islander and (maybe) an Arab. This should salve England's wounded pride. However, not too many people outside England are actually convinced that this crusade is about the love of transparency by this country's institutions. What was it that your predecessor as Sports Editor used to say about Brits being very fair-minded toward each other and anything but when operating abroad? True to form, Mr Bond.

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If we can't instigate reform from the top down in FIFA, we should try to do it from the bottom up. The FA should start a "Lets Kick Corruption Out Of Football" campaign and get the Premier League on board - to connect with the hundreds of millions of footy fans worldwide who regularly watch the EPL.

The English FA and media are now dispised throughout FIFA for highlighting the "culture of gifts" that is so prevalent within their organisation. Since ther is no chance of ever being selected to hold the world cup within the current organisation the English FA must now formally request a full investigation in to all "gifts". Or perhaps members within the English FA have something to fear from such an investigation?

a perfectly good post removed by the pc brigade at the bbc. are you fifa in disguise ~!!!! PATHETIC !!

remember when u were a kid and u used to watch all those lovely highlights of the European Cup, Uefa Cup, Cup Winners Cup and some Internationals on Sportsnight with the great music. And then MOTD on Saturday nights when all the weekends games were played at 3pm on saturday and then some more highlights on Sunday on your regional Match of the Week program?

and remember how it all seemed to be only about the football and u didn't even realise there were potentially corrupt men running the game you loved?

didn't make a difference then.
doesn't make a difference now.

but now, we all read endless articles and columns, headlines and reaction, watch endless news reports and hear endless 'Monday Night Clubs' with the sole purpose of promoting debate and discussion about issues that really don't matter.

we can all blah on and on in these comment sections about corruption-this and corruption-that, but the truth is:

a few sad old men get lots of money and we all have no say in anything ever and all these endless words and slightly pompous and pious articles will never change anything. so what is the point?

to give us all something to do when we're having a cup of tea?

personally, i like political correctness.

it has gone some way in changing all those horrible racist, sexist, homophobic etc mainstream views into something a little nicer.

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Both FIFA and the manner in which this has been dealt with are an absolute farce. A little while ago Blatter stated that FIFA "are not in crisis". If this isn't a crisis, I'd hate to see what constitutes one.

The extent of the corruption within FIFA has been laid bare for the world to see. What an embarrassment. What makes it much worse is, this is now old news and has obviously been happening for some time now.

The simple fact is FIFA are a joke & a disgrace. Ruining the most popular sport in the world whilst feeding their own personal greed. I, along with all other informed football fans around the world, have absolutely no faith in the current board and have every reason not to.

Blatter and co. need to be shown the door ASAP in order for the game to save any kind of face that remains.

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32.
At 20:36 20th Jun 2011, Roman Philosopher wrote:

Is there nobody at FIFA who is ashamed? Probably not.
-------------------------------------------------------

Sadly, I suspect they are feeling proud rather than ashamed.

====================================

I think the word you are looking for is 'smug'.

No surprises - Fifa doesn't want the truth to come out, because it'll show who else is on the take.

Just another self-elected, self-important, self-serving bunch of hypocrites.

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He should have stuck to Dixon of Dock Green.

@82

°Õ´Ç³Ü³¦³óé

Certainly did smack of sweeping things under the carpet.

"Oh, see, he's resigned now so we don't need to worry about any of that pesky investigation stuff. Out of sight, out of mind, right?"

I agree with post no. 49, that the only way to put an end to this is via a boycott of the major FIFA sponsors.

The likes of Adidas and Coca Cola have recently been very quiet after initially 'voicing their concerns' around the time of the 'election'. They need to be much, much stronger than this, but I think they are quite happy for things to things to tick along the way they are in the knowledge that football gives them massive worldwide exposure.

If a mass boycott were to gather pace though....

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i almost spat my morning coffee out when i read this

"As a consequence of Mr Warner's resignation, all ethics committee procedures against him have been closed and the presumption of innocence is maintained,"

It's like a CEO of a major organisation fiddling the books and then not being charged because he jumped before he was pushed. FIFA make me sick.

So who said crime does not pay. Jack "Tsunami" Warner has whimpered into the sunset to enjoy his ill-gotten millions from touting WC tickets on the Black Market.

Meanwhile JSB lives to continue plundering the millions. Can the FBI create a situation like the CIA did (WMD) and get rid of JSB.

Believe me the UN authorization i s not required

Yes, there is a culture of 'gifts'. Does this constitute bribery? Well it seems more like good old fashioned slush money, but it's a way of life and any federation that's benefitted from FIFA has almost certainly done some kind of deal.

Dear old Jack has walked away with a parting shot but is probably getting something to his benefit for doing that. And FIFA doesn't need to cover up, just not do anything.

And nothing will change, except perhaps 'gifts' will be better hidden/managed and co-operative federations more tightly managed for 'confidentiality'.

What a sleazy bunch.

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Roman Law in Scotland once had three verdicts : Guilty, Not Guilty and Not Proven.
The latter stayed on the record, leaving a defendant under a cloud of suspicion,
and introducing an element of doubt prejudicial to any future legal action.

It might behove Jack Warner to meditate upon this gloomy notion,
now that has said, "Evenin' All", to Dock Green for the last time.

20. At 20:10 20th Jun 2011, Roman Philosopher wrote:
I am just surprised we have not yet had the bombardment of the FIFAphiles who like to defend anything FIFA do, with the counter that the English are arrogant and still bitter over the last world cup bid, and therefore have no grounds to make observations about the 'FIFA family'.
----
Jagajaga will be along in a short while.

I'm sure Mr Warner will still be regarded and treated as part of the FIFA "family"-once you've been in, you can never leave and he hasn't, only in name.

But, before castigating FIFA (and rightly so) for many of its spurious actions, we could all look closer to home and wonder about the set up and interests of our own three governing bodies-The Football League, The Football Association and the Premier League. If football is meant, amongst other things, to provide unity, its a shame we don't have it in the administration and management of our own game. I, sure there are more than a few Blatter's and Warner's in corridors of English football.

As far as FIFA is concerned, no, of course we don't run away from it like a crying child. Better to stay on the inside, even if you don't like the smell. Better still to focus on the development and prosperity of your own game, from the grass roots upwards and lead the way with that, rather than, as usual, trying to run the show and prostituting the national team to curry favour with other federations.

Lets focus on our own game, then, one day, FIFA might, just might, come to us.

To be honest, all those at the top in FIFA could be very successful politicians in most governments in the world, including ours.

Only the European Parliament (whose accounts the auditors refuse to sign off, year after year) can challenge FIFA for the title of Most Rancid Organisation.
This stinks to hell of a "behind-the-scenes" Blatter (this is a new verb, meaning to promise one thing and do another).
The pity of it is that, like the EU, FIFA answers to no-one, and one rancid organisation will simply evolve into another.

@#96.
Agreed. The blatant in FIFA is an issue, but we have problems at home that need sorting before we even think of trying to rally other nations against FIFA's .
The FA, whilst maybe not quite as dubious, are certainly still in the same mold of 'old boys club' and only interested in improving football at home when it improves their own power/recompense too, or at least does not take anything away from them.

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