Fifa crisis: Visa sponsorship threat compounds calls for Blatter to quit

[brooklynite]

Source: The Guardian

Visa – one of Fifa’s key sponsors – has threatened it could pull out of its contract with football’s world governing body as Sepp Blatter faced increasing pressure not to seek re-election as its president.

Nine senior officials at the organisation, as well as five sports media and promotions executives, were charged by US prosecutors on Wednesday over bribes totalling more than $150m (£100m) over 24 years. It followed the arrest of senior officials at a Zurich hotel and the announcement of a separate Swiss investigation into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

The accusations of “rampant, systemic and deep-rooted” corruption have sent shockwaves through the football world, with many questioning whether Fifa can continue in its current form.

Blatter has not been named as a suspect, but he faces questioning in the Swiss investigation. In a sign of the pressure he is facing, Blatter dodged an appearance at a Fifa medical conference in Zurich on Thursday morning, instead holding an emergency meeting with representatives from the six confederations, including Uefa president Michel Platini.


Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/28/fifa-crisis-blatter-calls-resign-sponsors-disappointment

[BeyondGeography]

1. Platini's son took a job in Qatar shortly after the Cup was awarded

He's a doctor and the position is in sports surgery, but there was either a payoff involved or he and his father were incredibly naive/indifferent about appearances.

The rot runs deep on this one. Glad it's finally being exposed. However one feels about le foot, the Cup itself is unsurpassed in terms of global appeal. Platini himself was one of the finest midfielders ever and participated in many unforgettable matches. And still, he manages to be deeply involved with screwing it all up.

[christx30]

2. I fail to see how

anythibg sports related can be termed a 'crisis'. Unless we're talking about an anthrax attack at a stadium or something that can actually harm people.
And the default for anyone in a position of power (again, it's s bunch of people playing a game. Why is there power involved!?) will always be corrupt. Bribes make this world go, like gasoline in an engine.

[Oktober]

9. Billions of dollars... thousands and thousands of jobs... Vendors... businesses small and large

Lots of people have been screwed by this and lots more have gained at the cost of others...

[NBachers]

3. If only the same forensic zeal would be applied to the Wall Street trillion dollar crime syndicate.

Last edited Thu May 28, 2015, 08:14 PM - Edit history (1)

Wrecking the world economy is even worse than damaging FIFA.

[nyabingi]

6. My thoughts exactly

If we can get FIFA to drop Russia as 2018 host of the World Cup, it will be mission accomplished.

[Bosonic]

4. EA are stress testing 'no publicity is bad publicity' by releasing FIFA 16 shortly

[SunSeeker]

11. LOL. Love the one at the bottom: "Tournaments in unplayable conditions."

Hey, Zip Bladder will be sitting in an air conditioned sky box in Qatar, what's the problem?

[nyabingi]

5. Blatter's (and FIFA's) main crime was

granting Russia hosting responsibilities for the 2018 World Cup. Missing from much of the recent reporting on the FIFA arrests is the fact that a handful of US Senators (including John McCain) wrote a letter voicing their displeasure at Russia having received the nod for 2018, given that the US and other Western countries were still desperately trying to get their sanctions regime against Russia to work (which it isn't). This is clearly interfering in affairs not under US jurisdiction for political ends.

It's important to remember that anytime the US becomes involved or interested in international "justice", there is always a political motive which is never presented to the public as such. I'm sure VISA has come under a lot of pressure from the US government to dro its sponsorship, and I'm sure many other corporate sponsors are facing the same pressure.

[sendero]

7. While I would not disagree..

.... with your characterization of the motivations involved, there are not many people familiar with the situation who don't think Russia and especially Qatar, a particularly ridiculous choice, got themselves selected honestly.

Not that they were the first to cross palms with silver by any means.

[nyabingi]

8. Oh I'm sure some bribes were passed by both Russia and Qatar

to the heads of FIFA - corruption in these types of affairs is pretty much a given.

The US having these FIFA officials arrested though has nothing to do with their corruption (which is widely accepted inside the financial institutions in the US, with no prosecutions) but everything to do with geopolitical motives.

It's similar to the way the US knew Saddam Hussein was using chemical weapons during their war with Iran in the 80's, but we only held that against him when he began to behave in ways that weren't acceptable to US shot-callers.

[Blackjackdavey]

10. World Football

is geopolitical by it's very nature. Frankly, the motivation behind this move is irrelevant as it is a good move nonetheless. I would also venture that it had far more to do with Qatar chosen ahead of the US rather than Russia.

[SunSeeker]

12. Good. They should have a re-vote on the 2018 and 2022 World Cup venues. nt