Hello BBC ... It's the PM on line 2

World Cup 2018: Government want BBC to cancel Panorama on Fifa corruption

Senior Government figures believe the BBC should consider cancelling a Panorama documentary about Fifa amid concerns that it could derail England's bid for the 2018 World Cup.

Sources close to No 10 have told Telegraph Sport that they do not want the programme to be aired as scheduled on Nov 29, three days before Fifa's executive committee meets to decide England's fate. ...

Full story here, courtesy of The Telegraph.

Happy April Fools! Right??

From the WSJ:

Soccer Body Poised to Dismiss Charges

World soccer's governing body is expected to dismiss a newspaper's allegations of corruption in the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, a person close to an ongoing FIFA investigation said Tuesday.

This person said FIFA's ethics committee is likely to dismiss allegations that some top executives were prepared to let their vote on upcoming World Cup sites be influenced in exchange for offers to fund projects in their home countries. ...

Full story continues here, courtesy of the WSJ.

Kicking Back's comments:

If this comes true, FIFA has "jumped the shark" regarding corruption. In essence FIFA is dismissing the allegations, reinstating the EXCOMM members and going on with the vote on 02-DEC. Why you may ask? Because these members were "entrapped." Not because they are not-guilty, but because of a procedural slight of hand ... as the report goes.

No really ... that seems to be the plan.

Even a member of the ethics committee seemed surprised. From the article:

Burton Haimes, a New York lawyer and member of the ethics committee who recused himself from the favors-for-votes investigation because the U.S. is bidding for the World Cup, said he would be surprised if the allegations against the two executives were dismissed over what he says are procedural grounds, such as whether the officials were subject to entrapment.

How is anyone supposed to take FIFA seriously if this happens?

... and in a similar hilarious note, apparently FIFA is considering the US 2022 bid a "medium legal risk." What does that mean? Well apparently the recent midterm elections has something to do with it as:

In weighing the merits of a 2018 or 2022 bid, FIFA is uncertain about the level of U.S. government commitment to the project in a climate of anti-government, anti-spending rhetoric from Capitol Hill.

See the full story here from Politico along with excepts from the FIFA report.

While it ends well for the US in the report as clearly we have the infrastructure capable to accommodate the World Cup, the political climate is an interesting twist that I did not expect. This too at a time when we find ourselves apparently neck and neck with Qatar in the bid for 2022.

Fasten your seat belts folks, it is going to be a wild finish.

No free press?

As the corruption scandal continues to unfold at FIFA, based on multiple reports, the UK increasingly feels that they are going to get left by the wayside for the 2018 and 2022 bids.

A compelling article from Guardian.co.uk here lists the extraordinary measures the UK team is going to to stay in the running.

What is amazing to me is how for the UK will go to get this bid. From the article:

The letter declares England 2018's "solidarity and support" for Fifa's response to newspaper allegations; highlights "representations" to the BBC over a forthcoming Panorama programme it fears could fatally undermine England's chance of winning the bid; and refers to the two executive committee members who have been provisionally suspended as "our friends".

Whoa!

There are two things that strike me there.

First, the willingness to cozy up to individuals that have been provisionally suspended by FIFA. Now, I am all for an "innocent until proven guilty" prospect, but I am also for letting the system do it's work. This move by the UK bid team seems a little too "kissy-face" with FIFA for my liking. In fact they are lying down with the very corruption that is being rooted out.

If the UK bid team believes in these individuals and their innocence, say it ... publicly. None of this note passing, back door, we really want to go to the prom with you not that other girl, rubbish.

Second, the press, specifically the BBC,  is playing a very interesting role in this, and quite a correct one I would opine. They are bringing some much needed sunlight to the whole situation regarding the bid process and have exposed it for how corrupt it truly is. That itself is something. But also is how the press is potentially killing the UK's bid ... even as the UK has not been implicated (yet) into any wrongdoing here. Yet their bid ... a virtual lock for 2018 ... is now being shunned. And by whom? By the FIFA EXCOMM of course.

Well, that's interesting.

Now I'll go out on a limb here.

I'll bet my flipping coin that if the BBC airs their documentary about FIFA corruption, the UK loses the bid. If they refrain, the UK will win it.

From the article:

Dein and the England 2018 chief executive, Andy Anson, recently met the BBC director general, Mark Thompson, and head of sport, Barbara Slater, over the Panorama documentary, which they fear could tip the balance conclusively.

For a little old fashioned arm twisting no doubt.

Truly amazing now how FIFA could potentially use the UK bid team as its puppet to twist the arm of the UK media to try stop the press on a documentary that no doubt will cast FIFA in a poor light, but in the long haul will do nothing but cast the much needed sunlight onto the process.

Welcome Aboard!

When I was a young(er) National Referee, it was a regular occurrence that we had a tremendous guest speaker opine about aspects of the modern game. One such guest speaker was George Cumming who is an incredible wealth of knowledge, and one I took a tremendous amout away from.

His credentials include (from his blog):

George Cumming was the first FIFA Head of Refereeing and was in charge of refereeing at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korean/Japan. Previously he was Development Director for Referees and Education with the Scottish Football Association from 1988 until 2000. He is presently a Senior Consultant with the Asian Football Confederation.

I have included a link to the blog (George Cumming's Football Blog) in the sidebar. As with the other blog's of note, I would recommend taking the time and reading some of the entries as they are very insightful.

Two recent posts from his blog, FIFA must face up to the corruption charges, and World Cup voting must be public, are clear demonstrations about just how wide spread and vitriolic these charges of corruption are, and how badly FIFA needs to get a good hold of what is happening, and expel any found to have committed any wrong doing.

One of my fears however, is in the process that FIFA "throws the baby out with the bathwater," and punish a party (such as the UK) for being in proximity to the corruption, without being a participant in it.

More bad news for the UK ... but it's Becks and friends to the rescue

Copyright DC Comics

Harry Harris reports for ESPN, on how bad things are now looking for the UK's 2018 bid.

From the article:

But it hasn't been appreciated just how bad that might be until one senior FA figure confessed: "The word from within the FIFA executive is that England might very well have blown it completely."

Even more dire is this:

"If you know the way FIFA's mind works then it looks like we haven't got a prayer. Talk about our bid being harmed, well, that is the least that has happened. There has been a huge backlash and the word inside FIFA is that they won't be voting for England.

Sounds like trouble. So in response to this the UK has summoned the services of "the blonde knight", a.k.a. David Beckham. Posing as a mere mortal, Becks will be turning in his cape for a private jet for this trip:

ESPNsoccernet has been informed that Beckham will take on a gruelling round the world itinerary to appear in person in Switzerland, first flying from LA to Australia for a one-match post-season tour with the Galaxy before flying back to London for one day to meet up with the FA delegation, and then onto Zurich.

It does sound like the full court press as:

The 2018 bid committee told ESPNsoccernet that they are unable to announce the full delegation team for the crucial final presentation on December 2, but an insider said: "Yes, I can confirm that David Beckham will be in Zurich, and the FA are calling up all the big guns, such as the Prime Minister, and Prince William is also expected to be there."

Is all hope lost?

Will the UK lose the 2018 and 2022 bids?

What will the US be doing to take advantage of this gaffe?

Tune in next time to find out, as the FA Superheros wade into the FIFA swamp of corruption.

Integrity Strikes Again

Fabulous article on some history of the refereeing in the US and how FIFA may be finally coming around to suggestions made, a long time ago.

You heard it here first (from Ed)

For several years we have been stressing certain concepts and techniques relating to soccer referee officiating and its instruction, training and evaluation. Some of these have been reasonably well accepted within the refeeeing community, but others, such as our recommendations for movement and positioning, not so. Some others have met with outright rejection in certain quarters, notably in the refeeeing hierachy of the MLS. So it was satisfying to read an article written recently by Héctor Vergara. (The article can be seen here) ...

Full article continues here, courtesy of For the Integrity of Soccer.

Has England Lost the 2018 Bid?

See this article from Guardian.co.uk stating that the UK bid team is starting to place some blame on the UK media that unearthed the corruption for votes scandal that rocked FIFA last month.



I have to be honest though, "unearthed", and "rocked" are really not the right adjectives as this was going on in plain sight, and by all accounts had for some time.

What is interesting though is the UK bid team, I would opine, starting to sense trouble and looking to place the blame on someone, anyone else ... but the bid team.

From the article:

One senior bid source said today: "It is a fact that England's chances have been damaged among Fifa executive committee members. If the Panorama is broadcast that will damage our chances further."

Trouble for the country that was seen to be a lock for the 2018 World Cup.

Why did the US get out so soon?

The US Bid team may have blown it big time by getting out so quick when the water started getting a little warm. While it seemed clear from the article that the US was not involved in what was being reported regarding the corruption, why didn't we wait just a little bit and see what happened? After all, how much $$ was US Soccer really spending to keep the 2018 bid alive that would be used for 2022? Were we told to "get out?"

What happens if FIFA goes Russia in 2018 ... who is to stop them from going to the UK in 2022? It would seem unlikely that FIFA would go UK in 2018 and US in 2022.

Stay tuned, the UK bid team may not be the only one with egg on its face in the coming weeks.

In a laugh out loud moment, Mohamed Bin Hammam both proclaimed his innocence, and stated that "... setting traps are unethical ..." on his blog located here.

I'll tell you something though, looking at the blog and his website, I want to be a FIFA EXCOM member too. For a more home-town look, Chuck Blazers (US FIA EXCOM member) blog is here.

Wow ... and I though college games paid well.

“the biggest gangster you will find on earth”

FIFA: Credibility crisis continues as former scribe affirms body’s corrupt

By Patrick Omorodion

As world’s football governing body, FIFA tries to get over the cash for vote bribe allegation which hit it a fortnight ago and has temporarily consumed two of its Executive Committee members, Dr Amos Adamu of Nigeria and Tahitian, Reynald Temarii, the body seems not to have heard the last of such stench of sleaze.

The latest which has really portrayed FIFA as a corrupt organisation is coming not from an outsider like the Sunday Times of London did, but from someone who was an insider and should know because he stated so to undercover reporters. ...

See the full story here, courtesy of Vanguard.

"Stains in your suit"

Scathing article from Monsters & Critics describing that dealing with FIFA "always stains your suit", and just how far reaching the corruption goes within the organization.

See the very unflattering (to FIFA) blow by blow here, courtesy of Monsters & Critics.

Requiescat In Pace

Paul the Octopus: January 2008 - October 26, 2010.

News of his passing stunned the world today, as there were over 1500 articles about his death as of this writing.

He apparently died of natural causes in his tank overnight. A life expectancy of 2.5 year is not uncommon for some octopus species.

FIFA has announced it will not launch an investigation into Paul's passing, as their investigative arm is otherwise engaged in a corruption investigation for World Cup votes.

FIFA Launches probe into two bidding countries

In the ever widening net of investigation from FIFA, it is being reported that in addition to the (6) FIFA officials being provisionally suspended as part of their investigation, it is now being reported by the BBC that FIFA has launched a separate inquiry into two of the bidding nations.

Both Spain and Portugal (Iberia) who are are making a joint 2018 bid, and Qatar who is making a bid on 2022 are now under separate investigation.

Officials from neither the Iberian or Qatar delegations have yet responded.

FIFA Suspends six as investigation continues

FIFA Executive Committee members Amos Adamu of Nigeria and Reynald Temarii from Tahiti have been provisionally suspended pending the outcome of the investigation of the Ethics Committee.

Further, Slim Aloulou of Tunisia, Amadou Diakite of Mali, Ahongalu Fusimalohi of Tonga, and Ismael Bhamjee of Botswana were also provissionally suspended for ethics violations in connection with the investigation.

During a cursory search for these gentlemen, the following corruption case was also unearthed about Mr. Bhamjee and led to his resignation from the FIFA executive Committee back in 2006.

FIFA press release of the event including the live event can be found here.

Update: World Cup Vote Investigation

Well, it looks like a busy day for FIFA as they have decided to widen their investigation considerably into the vote buying scandal. This would seem to include the national organizations that are in the bid process and may lead to suspensions of these national associations.

Claudio Sulser, who chairs FIFA's ethics committee has been tasked with figuring out just what exactly is going on, and has been asked by Sepp Blatter to do so "without delay." This statement may have some significant teeth in it as the vote to determine who will be hosting the next World Cup is due on 02-DEC-2010. Many have stated publicly that holding such a vote under a cloud of such malfeasance would be inappropriate. I agree with that decision.

It is no doubt heating up as we race to the finish on who will host the next Cup. For anyone who is keeping score, England, Russia, Spain & Portugal, and Holland & Belgium are in competition for the 2018 tournament, while the USA, Australia, Qatar, Japan, and Korea are the candidates for 2022.

While some have praised Sepp Blatter for his quick action to this matter, I am far more cynical. Why? Maybe it was my reading of Foul! The secret world of FIFA, or maybe the reports of open bribery that has gone on in the past, and seems to be within the very fabric of THE game itself, with little or no substantive action from FIFA.

John Leicester states it well in his AP article, "In judging votes-for-sale allegations, FIFA must act for the good of the game" where he takes a no nonsense approach. If your are found to be involved, you go. Period.

FIFA has an opportunity here, a real opportunity to show that they are serious about corruption of the game. To do so they should consider doing the following:

1. Indefinitely suspend the vote on 02-DEC until Mr. Sulser's investigation is complete.
2. On a finding of Bribery (section 11), Commission (section 12), Duty of disclosure (section 14), (see FIFA's code of ethics here) Summarily dismiss the members of the executive committee and any from any national associations who are involved.
3. On appeal, convene the Appeal Committee to hear the appeal and mete the appropriate punishment from sections 17 and 18 of the code of ethics.
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 for all individuals involved.
5. Sanction the national associations themselves possibly by the very drastic step of excluding them from hosting a World Cup for some set number of years both as punishment for those national associations, and reminder for future ones.
6. Once all discipline has been publicly announced, convene an emergency session of the executive committee to allow an open vote so the world can see who will be getting the next Cup.

With this, FIFA would be able to gain a tremendous amount of credibility in showing it was serious about rooting out corruption, "For the good of the game."

I'd swear I've seen this somewhere before

Government Exhibit "D" - Dianne Wilkerson Trial

When I woke up this morning I was treated to a story that created waves on two fronts for me.

From the WSJ (paper version) I looked at the page 1 teased story (continued on A10), reporting that FIFA is investigating (2) executive committee members accused of taking bribes in exchange for their upcoming vote to determine who would be hosting the 2018 World Cup.

Now that was enough to wake me up in the early morning and poke around to see what was going on. Further however was the last paragraph of the print article, that was not online, that has Sunil Gulati essentially shouting from the rooftops that the US was not involved in any aspect of the reporting that resulted in the story. Yet in other parts of the WSJ story, we have this:

Video on the Sunday Times website allegedly shows Mr. Amadu telling an undercover reporter that he wanted to build four artificial soccer fields at a cost of $200,000 each and that the money could be paid to him "directly." When the reporter asked whether the payment would help Mr. Amadu make his decision in favor of the U.S. bid in some way, he responded: "Obviously it will have an effect. Of course it will have an effect. It will have an effect. Because certainly if if you are to invest in that, that means you also want the vote."

I am not sure how to square the comments from Mr. Amadu, and Mr. Gulati as it would seem that Mr. Amadu was approached by someone who was interested in the US receiving his vote for $800K. I would find it hard to believe that just anyone representing the US could make such an offer. Access to members of the FIFA executive committee would appear to be somewhat limited.

Now a disclaimer. I am not accusing anyone of any wrong doing, just pointing out the facts that:

1. FIFA has launched an investigation into the bribery of (2) executive committee members regarding their vote for the hosting of the World Cup.
2. A FIFA executive committee member (Mr. Amadu) has been spotted on video by The Sunday Times of London suggesting that a direct payment of $800K would "have an effect" on the vote for the US bid. 
3. U.S. Soccer has made a decision to pull out of the bidding for the 2018 World Cup and focus on the 2022 World Cup.
4. U.S. Soccer president, Sunil Gulati has adamantly denied any involvement in any bribery of FIFA officials, which would appear to be appropriate as Times reporters set up the sting.
5. All of this happened on or very close to 15-OCT-2010.

I welcome the readers to draw their own conclusion with these and the further facts that are certain to emerge from this developing story.

As I stated in the title, I have seen something like this before as it reminded me of the video that was filmed by the FBI during the collection of evidence against the Massachusetts politician Dianne Wilkerson. She ultimately plead guilty to several counts of attempted extortion and is due to be sentenced in the next few weeks.

To me this situation, sans the conviction, is strikingly similar as it demonstrates the willingness of people to use their position of power for their personal interests (and getting caught on video taking a bribe). FIFA, like Massachusetts politics has a history of corruption associated with it, which is not a surprise as there is a tremendous amount at stake. I would opine much more for the hosting of a World Cup than the grant of a liquor license, but the point remains.

One other thing to consider is those who choose to approach one of these figures who are able to influence a license grant or election. Little has been reported about those who sought out Ms. Wilkerson's grant of a license, and little has yet to be reported about those who approached the FIFA executive committee members, other than one was doing so for the sake of the US.

There is a part of me who can appreciate those efforts, however maybe not for the same reasons as those seeking to bribe the officials, as a World Cup here in the US would certainly bolster THE game here and give the US a much needed shot in the arm of the international game. I do personally believe however that the Women's World Cup would be a better choice for the US as it is that game that seems to be suffering the most on our shores. In either event, while I appreciate the result should it occur, I can not condone the method. Cheating is cheating. This is not a case of taking advantage of a "favorable business environment."

We shall see how this one evolves, as this may be too big for even FIFA to ignore, and may even halt the vote of the venue for the 2018 World Cup until this gets sorted out.

Stay tuned!

UPDATE1 19-OCT 09:52 EDT:

See the comment below from cy stating that the folks who made the bribe were UK reporters. This was not reported in the WSJ, but I am assuming was in the Times.

This would clearly take US Soccer off the hook, but continues to make me wonder if anyone posing as a delegate (why did these reporters choose the US?) could approach an official and do this ...

Thanks cy for the update.

True to his word

Back a few months ago, Sepp Blatter and IFAB were in discussions about goal line technology in an effort to assist referees with such incidents. I have to be honest, I did not think the effort would get as far as is currently being reported by several news outlets.

At this stage there is apparently an evaluation that will be launched into the 13 companies vying for an opportunity to be the official company to provide goal line technology for FIFA.

This is assuming that it gets that far ...

One aspect that needs consideration is that effect on the referees who have to use the technology. When I was on the way up we would be asked to evaluate new technologies from time to time such as various time keeping devices, uniforms, and communication devices such as the famous "beeper flags."

Interesting too as I saw this from not only the inside out as a referee with US Soccer, but also the outside in as my role as engineer with a company named Trakus, where we worked with the NHL refereeing ranks to test the feasibility of real time tracking of professional hockey games. Of particular concern to the engineering involved was to assure the technology was unobtrusive to the referee doing their job, and seamless in appearance.

I hope these 13 companies recognize this, and give the referees the voice to work with the engineers to better the product to make it both effective and invisible to those viewing. In my estimation, this will be the only way for such technology to succeed in FIFA's eyes.

Byron Moreno Follow Up

Kicking back comments:

There are a couple of recent developments about this matter reported on earlier. 

First, is the fact that (shock) FIFA is not going to investigate the matter. Why you may ask? Ted Howard the Secretary General of CONCACAF, who also serves of the FIFA referee committee states that the referee committee is not an investigative body.

Now lets see, it has been stated that this referee was "ordered" to throw the ITA-KOR match and that corruption at the highest levels is going on, implying that FIFA referees are being corrupted, yet they won't investigate? Let's reflect briefly back to the World Cup this year. How many times was there an incident, and how many times was there an investigation? I would opine each, and every. Investigations at times ended a referees career. FIFA sees no issue investigating there.

Now, to be fair Howard may have meant any outside the field incidents such as this could not be investigated. But that too holds little water as FIFA at least sent a letter to North Korea to "investigate" if the North Korean World Cup team was being treated humanely.

Or it just may go under the adage that you can't find what you don't seek.

See a story here, that details some of these facts, courtesy of Goal.com.

Second, is how Mr. Moreno is doing in prison, and what continues to be a difficult road.

Byron Moreno Denies Trying To Commit Suicide & Receives Prison Counselling Following Drugs Arrest
The former referee Byron Moreno is receiving counselling in prison, but did not attempt suicide.

The former referee from Ecuador, infamous for his World Cup 2002 exploits in the match between South Korea and Italy, was arrested at John F. Kennedy airport, New York, for allegedly being in possession of six kilograms of heroin on September 21. ...

See the full story here, courtesy of Goal.com.

Where is FIFA now?

When Togo Played Bahrain, the Whole Match Was a Fake
Taking the Field as African Nation's Team, Impostors Lose Game but Net Fees

Bahrain's national soccer team needed to prepare for an important game. So it jumped at a chance to invite Togo, a small West African country with a highly regarded soccer team, to play an exhibition match.

At least $60,000 was spent on flights, hotels and other expenses, and in early September, the Bahrain team lined up against 11 players in Togo jerseys. The Togo players weren't as good as the Bahrainians expected, and the Persian Gulf team won 3-0.

In Togo's capital, Lomé, the Togo Football Federation was surprised not so much by the team's poor showing as by the game itself: On Sept. 7 the Togo team wasn't actually in Bahrain—but on a bus returning from an official game in Botswana.

TFF officials say the team in Bahrain was a fake one, which they suspect was organized by someone wishing to pocket some of the money spent on the event. ...

See the full article here, courtesy of the Wall Street Journal.

FIFA Strikes Again

FIFA suspends Nigeria over government interference

FIFA suspended the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) yesterday because of government interference in the federation’s work.

The FIFA Emergency Committee listed several cases of government interference as justification for its decision to suspend the federation. ...

See the story here, courtesy of playthegame.org.

Gamer Alert! FIFA 2011 Now Available In The US

Photo courtesy EA Sports

For those of us who play the game virtually as well as actually, EA Sports has done it again! Now available "FIFA Soccer 11" is available on US shores for about $55 and by all accounts it looks pretty good.

It is available for PS3, XBox 360, PC, Wii, DS, and PSP platforms. For those who do not know what that is and are still using an Atarii 2600 gaming system, you may be able to find something here.

To me, the most notable feature of this game is the fact that you can, for the first time ever, have (22) players compete against each other. A real (11) v. (11) game, online.

When you do thing EA will include a referee? Some assistants? Nah.

Good review of the game here, courtesy of guardian.co.uk.

The Insanity Continues

From the other day I shared a story about a former FIFA referee who was arrested attempting to smuggle 6kg of heroin through a US airport.

I also commented how some became unhinged about associating acts (8) years ago, with an act in 2010. As another example of just how wild the imagination of some of these folks are, read the following about "the worst refereeing decisions".

Funny thing is ... I did not count any attributed to a referee. Many of these were from bad acts from players. Read on, it is a sorry testament to just how far people will go to blame referees.

Byron Moreno & the top 10 worst refereeing decisions in World Cup history
Official has been detained for drug smuggling in the USA

The disgraced former Fifa referee Byron Moreno was jailed this week for attempting to smuggle six kilos of heroin into the United States. The Ecuadorian is infamous in Italy as a result of his barely credible officiating during the South Korea - Italy last 16 match at the 2002 World Cup. Goal.com remembers that game and looks back at some more shocking calls from the history of the showpiece event ...

Full fantasy fictional piece editorial, continues here courtesy of goal.com.

... and after viewing the video of the incident here, I don't completely disagree with the send off to Totti (at the end of the video ... even one of the offsides is razor close). He sure fell awfully easy with such little contact. I don't know ... not so far fetched to me. In fact may have been real courage to send him off after a second caution. Gee, I wonder what the first one was for? Well, here is the report. Looks like he was booked in the 22'. Was that a good caution? Clearly if Totti did not have that, there would be no send off. Whose fault is this really? The referee? Totti?

Why did Moreno choose to send of Totti, but Webb did not choose to send off DeJong?

The other comment I see over and over speaks of "Italy's revenge" on Moerno ... this one is a "ponte vecchio" too far for my taste. One of the best parts is Ty Keough's "analysis" of the situation. For a guy who has some pedigree and at one time skill in the game, boy does he get this one wrong.

But like I said the other day ... We report, You decide.