It would seem that the independent ethics probe lead by Michael Garcia has done far more than survived the plot to overthrow him, it has now fully convinced the FIFA EX-CO that a revote on 2018 and 2022 World Cups is needed to save a shred of ethical fabric and show the world FIFA can again be a pillar of good will for football.
Mr. Garcia now has strong EX-CO support lead by Mr. Blatter and Mr. Boyce, who recently stated that he "would have considered quitting" had Mr. Garcia's probe been cut short.
Granted there are very strong words from both Russia and Qatar, with both nations angry at FIFA for allowing revote and not giving back any of the monies both nations "advanced" to FIFA for being considered a host nation.
While Mr. Putin was busy with other matters apparently, sports ministers Alexander Sidyakin and Michael Markelov, have demanded that the US is thrown out of the 2018 World Cup. While largely unreported it is apparently for Mr. Garcia's ethics probe and nothing to do with the gun running Russia was caught doing under Mr. Garcia's watch. Sounds like sour grapes to me.
Qatar was equally nonplussed with FIFA's sudden reversal on a vote and immediately ceased work on all those air conditioned stadia which needed to be ready for 2022 in a clear sign of defiance. This however did give the Qatar organizing committee and FIFA an opportunity to discuss workers rights which as we know is a vital concern to both FIFA and Qatar.
One clear winner would seem to be Japan who is willing to undertake the 2022 role should FIFA strip the Qatar nation of its duties.
Even England is not without controversy in this go around as recently Howard Webb expressed regret at some of his decisions in the 2010 final.
In hearing this, FIFA immediately expelled Webb from further consideration at the 2014 World Cup and replaced him with Springfield USA native Homer Simpson, as announced on 30-MAR-14 on Fox.
Happy April 1st.
Not quite sure on this but wasn't the USA runners-up to Qatar in the 2022 vote?
ReplyDeleteYes. It was 14-8 Qatar over the US in 4 rounds.
DeleteFor 2018 is was Russia over Spain/Portugal 13-7 in 2 rounds.
That would have been much funnier actually to say that the US was given the Cup to being in 2nd.
PK
Well you would think that logic would be if you find that the winner cheats or is removed for any reason then the runner-up should step in right. Then again this is FIFA and logic never really seems to show up in any of their discussions.
ReplyDeleteLOL.
DeleteYou would think. I would have to examine their constitution to see what should actually happen.
If memory serves, in the case of any such issues, a revote is required.
Thanks for reading,
PK