What shall FIFA do now?

[Rob2012]

I dont know about age limits. Because on the flipside, our FA is enforcing its own 70 years age limit and in the process getting rid of the most effective Chairman it's had in a while....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jan/16/fa-crazy-david-bernstein-minister

Surely there's a better way to ensure organisations like FIFA don't become mafia families than shuffling the Don off to a retirement home when he hits a certain age?

Edited January 28, 2013 by RobH

[gotosy]

Four female nominees for FIFA Executive Committee election

Four women are candidates to be elected as the 25th member of the FIFA Executive Committee at the FIFA Congress to be held in Mauritius on 30 and 31 May 2013. The mandate will be for a period of four years.

In the framework of the FIFA reform process, and following a proposal made by the FIFA President, Joseph S. Blatter, at the 2011 Congress in Zurich, a revision of the FIFA Statutes was approved by a vote taken at the 2012 Congress in Budapest for an additional Executive Committee member, a woman, to be appointed.

Each confederation had a deadline of 31 January 2013 to propose a female candidate.

Four confederations have proposed a candidate for the election at this year’s FIFA Congress:

AFC: Moya Dodd

CAF: Lydia Nsekera

CONCACAF: Sonia Bien-Aime

OFC: Paula Kearns

Lydia Nsekera, the President of the Burundi Football Association and a member of the Committee for Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and of the Organising Committee for the Olympic Football Tournaments, has been the co-opted member of the FIFA Executive Committee since the Congress in 2012.

FIFA

[baron-pierreIV]

/\/\ It just all sounds like window dressing.

[deawebo]

That age stuff is just like a way to say... "Well after all I wasn't able to continue" and since everything is getting worse blane somebody else.

The women stuff sounds good, but I agree with Baron is only a window dressing.

[Rob2012]

One of Fifa's leading advisers has criticised football's world governing body for "neutering" key recommendations for internal reform and says she is considering resigning in protest.

Alexandra Wrage, a Canadian member of Fifa's Independent Governance Committee (IGC) and an expert in corporate anti-corruption measures, is "frustrated and surprised" that Fifa has failed to back several measures she regards as "really bland, straightforward governance provisions" after a meeting of its leading executive committee last week.

Wrage is now urging the Football Association and other national FAs to adopt the rejected reforms and raise them at Fifa's annual congress in May.

These include measures to:

• toughen up the process for deciding how future World Cups are awarded ;
• ensure independent oversight of Fifa's powerful executive committee;
• disclose how much president Sepp Blatter and other leading executives are paid;
• ensure integrity checks for future executives are carried out independently.

The deadline for adding items to the congress agenda is this Friday.

"I think we only have a few days as it's a tight schedule but they are permitted to add items to the agenda and this is the time to do it," she said.

"It's going to take some organisation, some speed and some courage but it's absolutely possible."

Fifa launched its reform process almost two years ago amid fierce criticism after Mohamed bin Hammam, an election rival to Blatter, was accused of bribery. Bin Hammam was later banned for life by Fifa, but he continues to deny any wrongdoing.

Several executive committee members also faced allegations of corruption in the bid process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Football's world governing body later admitted that candidate countries Spain and Qatar colluded over votes for the two tournaments.

In addition to questions over World Cup bidding, the long-running ISL case has added to a public perception of impropriety within Fifa - with claims that senior officials accepted payments from its former marketing partner. A file has now been passed to Fifa's ethics adjudicator Joachim Eckert for review, with a decision expected in mid-April.

Following Fifa's failure to take forward the bulk of the IGC's recommendations, Wrage says she is considering resigning from the committee.

"I can only speak for myself but that is one of the options - there's very little point continuing if our recommendations are not being accepted," she said.

"Key provisions that are accepted in the corporate world have not been accepted here - our recommendations just seem to fall off the agenda," she said.

Wrage considered resigning last summer, but ultimately decided against it, when confronted with "blatant" sexism by leading Fifa figures.

Recalling an incident first reported last July, Wrage described how two senior individuals approached her and warned that two candidates suggested for Fifa's reformatted ethics structure were unacceptable because they were women.

"They were the best names we could think of and we were very enthusiastic about them.

"The two executives came over and said: 'You're going to have to give us more male candidates because a female candidate is not acceptable.' I said: 'Did you really just say that to me?' It was startling. It stopped in most settings three or four decades ago.

"I've worked in all sorts of countries, countries with reputations of not valuing their female employees, and I've not had something so startling said so directly to my face."

Pushed to name the executives, Wrage said: "I've been careful not to name them. They were very, very senior and they were clearly speaking, or in a position to speak, on behalf of the president."

More @ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21944765

[Athensfan]

I'm not surprised by the above in the least. Deplorable, but exactly what FIFA has led me to expect.

[Rob2012]

Indeed. This is much more interesting, if a bit rambling, from the one and only Andrew Jennings:

What I told the FBI about the FIFA crooks

http://transparencyinsportblog.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/what-i-told-the-fbi-about-the-fifa-crooks/7

You get the feeling this is all going to blow up in the lead up to the Brazil World Cup don't you?

[Athensfan]

Someday all this will be a movie.

[intoronto]

Someday all this will be a movie.

lol

[Rob2012]

FOUR pieces of news today....

Firstly, the most predictable news of the day.....FIFA reform board member quits because bugger all is happening....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22251818

Secondly, I'm terribly sad to report Jack Warner's career is finally over...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22243904

Third and probably the most serious story - how Trinidad and Tobago got a new sports facility, courtesy of Australian taxpayers...

http://sportsbusinessinsider.com.au/news/sport/football/ffa-pays-462200-for-stadium-upgrade-in-the-caribbean/

And finally, Sepp Blatter's Twitter account hacked....

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/04/someone-hacked-fifa-president-sepp-blatters-twitter-account/

[Soaring]

And finally, Sepp Blatter's Twitter account hacked....

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/04/someone-hacked-fifa-president-sepp-blatters-twitter-account/

Hilarious, simply hilarious....

[intoronto]

Hilarious, simply hilarious....

LOLLOLOLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLOLOL

Is my reaction

[Lucas]

Hilarious, simply hilarious....

LOL epic!

[Lucas]

I know it's late but I will give my opinions in the topic,

1) Russia's win is still polemic, Spain-Portugal were favorites and had it in the bag. But Russia is booming, new culture, and the preparations with the World Cup are on time. I don't see any problem there, Western Europe can bid and win again 2026 or 2034.

2) Qatar just not makes sense, why? Even the UAE will be a better choice. But the damage is done, and FIFA will not let them share the World Cup, even though it is the best option in This case. I hope FIFA changes its mind before its too late.

[BABYLON]

I can't stop laughing. At least someone in this world had the guts to confront this corrupt organization in a very harsh and public way.

[Sir Rols]

Third and probably the most serious story - how Trinidad and Tobago got a new sports facility, courtesy of Australian taxpayers...

And this is how it's being covered here:

FIFA man Jack Warner took "FFA's World Cup Money"

Need anyone ask why we're probably not interested in bidding for a good long while now?

Edited April 23, 2013 by Sir Rols

[BABYLON]

Need anyone ask why we're probably not interested in bidding for a good long while now?

I totally agree and actually glad that AUS is not going to bid anytime soon. I truly hope that the U.S. will not fall for this and consider bidding in the next 20-30 years. FIFA has to address their serious mess FISRT and come clean. Bidding for WC where the FIFA corrupt officials are in still office is simply giving that gang legitimacy.

[deawebo]

Lol awesome, hacker is just awesome...

[Rob2012]

We have the answer to the question in this thread now: nothing.

I've started a new thread outlining the extent to which FIFA have failed to introduce any significant reforms.

/thread.

[BABYLON]

Nude Greek statues a step too far for Qatar

Qatar wanted to cover two half-naked statues with black cloth

Oh God! I can't stop laughing!

Does that mean that the synchronized swimming ladies will get a special black cloth uniform? They are not statues!

[paul]

WEHO 2022 OUTRAGE AS QATARIS WANT TO COVER GREEKS WIENERS

Anderson reacts: OMG!

In light of recent news that Qatar had planned to cover Greek wieners WE-HOG-COC (The West-Hollywood-Games-Community-Organizing-Committee) is compelled to reveal that a recent partnership with the Qatari Government is at risk that would have positioning Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned as international spokesperson for WE-HOG-COC. Anderson Cooper has released the following statement, his first as the official face of the domestic bid: “OMG! We are deeply concerned with any effort to conceal wieners, and this effort by the Qatari government is in direct conflict with WE-HOG-COCs primary interests. We valued the Qataris involvement and admire Sheikha Mozahs fabulous wardrobe and make-up techniques, and we hope to resolve the issue and continue the Qatari partnership in our bid to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.” WE-HOG-COC is monitoring this important development and hope the Qatari Government will agree to reveal as much wiener as possible in the very near future. There are no current plans to cancel an upcoming promotional trip by Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned to visit West Hollywood; as long as she brings her son Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani who Anderson has graciously agreed to host at his place.

(Sheikha Mozah and son Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani discuss upcoming trip to West Hollywood.)

[BABYLON]

WEHO 2022 OUTRAGE AS QATARIS WANT TO COVER GREEKS WIENERS

Anderson reacts: OMG!

In light of recent news that Qatar had planned to cover Greek wieners WE-HOG-COC (The West-Hollywood-Games-Community-Organizing-Committee) is compelled to reveal that a recent partnership with the Qatari Government is at risk that would have positioning Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned as international spokesperson for WE-HOG-COC. Anderson Cooper has released the following statement, his first as the official face of the domestic bid: “OMG! We are deeply concerned with any effort to conceal wieners, and this effort by the Qatari government is in direct conflict with WE-HOG-COCs primary interests. We valued the Qataris involvement and admire Sheikha Mozahs fabulous wardrobe and make-up techniques, and we hope to resolve the issue and continue the Qatari partnership in our bid to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.” WE-HOG-COC is monitoring this important development and hope the Qatari Government will agree to reveal as much wiener as possible in the very near future. There are no current plans to cancel an upcoming promotional trip by Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned to visit West Hollywood; as long as she brings her son Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani who Anderson has graciously agreed to host at his place.(Sheikha Mozah and son Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani discuss upcoming trip to West Hollywood.)

Anderson is the man and I’m sure he will be upset to know that female statues did not get the same treatment the dudes’ statues had in that exhibit in Doha. For the record, there are statues of female goddesses with naked breasts that got to avoid the black cloth. And there are people who claim that women are mistreated in the Middle East!

Actually, there is a growing war against handsome men in the Arabian Peninsula. You don’t believe it? Read this:

Saudi Arabia Reportedly Deports Men for Being ‘Too Handsome’

[BABYLON]

Apologies. It seems that the link is not working. I'm reposting it here.

Saudi Arabia Reportedly Deports Men for Being ‘Too Handsome’

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/04/17/saudi-arabia-deported-men-for-being-too-handsome/#ixzz2RPVtU0n3

[paul]

CAST OUT HANDSOME MEN WELCOMED BY WEHO 2022

Subsequently the three “handsome” men so savagely discriminated against have IMEDIATELY been brought on board to the organizing committee of WEHO 2022. WE-HOG-COC has welcomed the “handsome” strangers with open arms and warmest hearts. In accordance with the Olympic ideal we treat all men as brothers and pull them close to our breast and bodies. We strive to be one with these casts out strangers and we cast out our feelers to every handsome discarded man. This should not happen in our modern world and if WEHO is chosen to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games we guarantee that every handsome man has a place to rest their weary head for 2 glorious weeks by the pool among the swaying palms.

Edited April 24, 2013 by paul

[gotosy]

Jerome Valcke: Fifa chief says too much democracy can be hindrance

Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke has said too much democracy can be a hindrance when organising a World Cup.

Valcke said one of the reasons Fifa had encountered problems in organising the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was the various levels of government in the South American nation.

He expects fewer problems arising for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

"I will say something which is crazy, but less democracy is sometimes better for organising a World Cup," he said.

"When you have a very strong head of state who can decide, as maybe [President Vladimir] Putin can do in 2018... that is easier for us organisers than a country such as Germany, where you have to negotiate at different levels.

"The main fight we have [is] when we enter a country where the political structure is divided, as it is in Brazil, into three levels - the federal level, the state level and the city level.

"[There are] different people, different movements, different interests and it's quite difficult to organise a World Cup in such conditions."

BBC