I'm a nice guy ... just ask me.

SWISS COURT BANS CARTOON BOOK – BECAUSE ‘IT WOULD DAMAGE BLATTER’S GOOD REPUTATION’

Thin-skinned Sepp Blatter has persuaded a Zurich court to ban a book of jovial cartoons about him.

The power of Blatter to bully Swiss justice officials was revealed when his lawyers wrote to the court insisting that the cartoons, by former footballer and noted graphics artist Olé Andersen, were so damaging that they should issue an immediate ban urgently before actually hearing any arguments from him.

Blatter’s lawyers claimed that he ‘has a good reputation and if the cartoons were published he would never be able to repair the damage.’ ...

See the whole story here (and the court complaint), courtesy of Transparency in Sport.

Kicking Back Comments: Long live the Freedom of Speech and the Press in the US and abroad. I just hope The Platter Cartoons are available in the US soon and I would just love to help 'the cause.'

It's all Qutar's fault now?

FIFA slams Qatar over labor issues

Pressure on Qatar to improve the labor conditions for migrant workers building 2022 World Cup projects increased on Wednesday with FIFA president Sepp Blatter describing the situation as unacceptable.

FIFA issued a statement after Blatter met International Trade Union Confederation president Michael Sommer and agreed that ''fair working conditions must be introduced quickly, consistently and on a sustained basis in Qatar.'' ...

See the whole article here, courtesy of Fox Sports.

Kicking Back Comments: While I agree that Qatar allows the practices, FIFA needs to intervene ... and is. Sepp has named Dr. Theo Zwanziger to take "concrete action" on the matter. An interesting choice to say the least.

Well, I'm not sure of this is a good thing for the Dr. as he was very, very vocal about playing 2022 in Qatar in the first place. 

A chance to clean things up, or maybe punishment for opposing Sepp.

Et tu, Brute?

Philippe Auclair Strikes Again

Revealed: The full extent of FIFA’s Qatar 2022 shambles

“Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Voilà.”

Sepp Blatter’s statement at the conclusion of last week ExCo in Zurich seemed unequivocal enough. This irritating matter would be laid to rest. The football world could now concern itself with more pressing matters, such as the forthcoming 2014 World Cup tournament, the build-up to which hasn’t exactly been trouble-free so far. Once the circus has left Brazil, there’ll be time, plenty of it, to assess the consequences of what the FIFA president presented as a fait accompli. Well, perhaps; and perhaps not. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Yahoo! Sport.

Kicking Back Comments: Voilà he says as if to announce satisfaction for the thing to be completed. Nothing can be further from the truth as this article clearly demonstrates.

Not Going Away ...

Protests disrupt Fifa visit to Brazil World Cup venue

Protesters in Brazil have disrupted an official visit to a football stadium being built for next year's World Cup.

A group of some 50 people stormed the Arena Pantanal, in the western city of Cuiaba, as it was being inspected by the Secretary General of Fifa, Jerome Valcke.

They shouted slogans and held banners criticising the huge amounts spent in preparations for the World Cup.

The incident raises new concerns about security during the event.

"Go home!" and "World Cup for whom?" read some of the banners carried by protesters - most of them striking teachers and postal workers. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of the BBC.

Kicking Back Comments: As I have opined in the recent past this issue is just not going away for FIFA. It will be very interesting to see how this continues to heat up and (IMHO) erupts in front of the world in July 2014.

Tick Tock

FIFA Decision on Qatar Dates Could Come in 2015

After all the talk about changing the dates of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, it will be another year or more before any decision is made.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter ordered "deep consultations" Friday about shifting the tournament from the scorching summer heat in the Gulf country, saying a decision on the highly divisive issue might be delayed until 2015.

Blatter also reiterated that the tournament will definitely stay in Qatar, and said he will travel to the desert nation to raise concerns over the treatment of migrant workers involved in building World Cup venues, transportation links and hotels.

"The 2022 World Cup will be played in Qatar — that's it," Blatter said. "We don't know if it's winter or summer. I do not know what will be the outcome." ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of ABC.

Kicking Back Comments: To me "deep consultations" is similar to time wasting. FIFA themselves were crowing about "... anyone can change the (UEFA) schedule 9 years in the future ...", well we now have taken 2 years away from that and are down to 7. That is if we even get that long if the folks looking into the vote don't invalidate the whole thing.

No Qatar for you Sepp in that case I opine.

The move would seem an old political trick to let the heat blow over (every pun intended) and then have the discussion. It is similar to a conference committee, where issues of government are put to die a slow death. Next best thing is a study or task force.

What's that? FIFA Agrees to Set up Qatar World Cup Task Force?

I'm shocked.

Any bets?

FIFA Meets to Debate Winter 2022 World Cup

FIFA opened a two-day board meeting Thursday that will discuss whether to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from the traditional summer dates.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has been pushing for a switch but will likely meet opposition from Europe and the United States. They want FIFA to consult widely before agreeing to a change from the usual June-July slot to avoid the extreme heat in the tiny desert nation.

Officials from Asian and African confederations also said Thursday they have not yet talked formally about Blatter's proposed switch.

"We haven't had that discussion in (Africa)," FIFA board member Hany Abo Rida of Egypt told The Associated Press. "We're waiting to hear the explanation from the FIFA executive."

Blatter has raised the possibility of starting the tournament in November, while UEFA President Michel Platini prefers January. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of ABC.

Kicking Back Comments: Let the games (officially) begin. When FIFA comes back and says they are moving the tournament, the issue becomes legally ripe and we'll start to see the fallout.

Giving up early?

Fifa have made 'a mess' of 2022 World Cup in Qatar, says Hugh Robertson

Hugh Robertson, the sports minister, has condemned Fifa for making "a mess" of handing the 2022 World Cup to Qatar but sees no option other than moving the tournament to the winter.

Fifa's executive committee is due to decide this week on the principle of moving the tournament, and is expected to agree that it should be switched from its usual time of June and July to earlier or later in the year due to the extreme heat during those months. Uefa's 54 member nations have already backed a move. ...

See the whole story here, from The Guardian.

Kicking Back Comments: I have to say I am a bit surprised that UEFA, and now Robertson are giving in so easy. I expected a much bigger fight than this. Then again, knowing TV giants are going to go bananas after the vote is taken in the next few days to actually move the World Cup, they may just be playing "kissy-face" with FIFA until the real fun starts.

FIFA Turning Blind Eye to Modern Slavery?

Qatar World Cup 'slaves': Fifa's UK representative 'appalled and disturbed'

Vice-president Jim Boyce calls for immediate investigation into deaths of Nepalese construction workers revealed by Guardian

A representative on Fifa's ruling executive committee has said he is appalled and disturbed by the findings of a Guardian investigation into the treatment of migrant workers in Qatar before the 2022 World Cup and vowed to push for immediate action by football's governing body.

Northern Ireland's Jim Boyce, a Fifa vice-president, called for an immediate investigation into the deaths of dozens of Nepalese workers and the ill-treatment of thousands of others working in Qatar in an £85bn construction frenzy as the country prepares to host the tournament. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of The Guardian.

Kicking Back Comments: While Mr. Boyce is appalled, something tells me that FIFA as a whole will not be, and let the exploitation continue unfettered so the stadia will be built in time for the Christmas World Cup of 2022.

FIFA croons about Fair Play. Well you know what ... it should include all aspects of football, including those who worked with their own hands to build the place we play.

FIFA Actually Fears someone?

FIFA face IOC backlash over 2022 World Cup

The International Olympic Committee plan to hold discussions with FIFA in order to make sure the 2022 World Cup Finals in Qatar does not clash with the Winter Olympic Games that year.

On Thursday, UEFA's 54 member associations gave their backing to hold the 2022 Finals during the winter as to avoid the extreme heat of the State's summer. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of ESPN.

Kicking Back Comments: Even with UEFA backing a winter World Cup, I still think FIFA is in some deep crap here. Sine there is significant commingling of IOC executives on the FIFA EXCOM, it seems clear FIFA wants to steer clear of interfering with the 2022 winter olympics.

So if it does get moved ... it looks like Christmas time.

Boy I hope Fox pulls out. NFL v. World Cup .... it's not even going to be close.

Socceroos fire the first shot

FFA have requested FIFA provide compensation for the $43m spent on Australia's World Cup bid

Billionaire Frank Lowy has taken aim at the world’s most powerful sporting body, FIFA over Australia’s $43m World Cup bid embarrassment.

Lowy, the Football Federation Australia chairman, is still smarting from the embarrassment of Australia’s $43m bid earning just one vote when oil-rich Qatar won the right to host the 2022 World Cup.

Yesterday he called on the sport’s governing body to pay compensation to Australia and other bidders after FIFA president’s stunning admission that it was "a mistake" to send the 2022 tournament to the
Arab state given the 50-degree summer days. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Fox Sports.

Kicking Back Comments: The fact that the FFA is seeking compensation is not surprising ... a little early as EXCOM has not taken the vote yet to change the dates, so the issue is legally not ripe yet, but that is not the point Mr. Lowy is making. It is a warning shot.

Now what was surprising to me was FIFA's response to the proposed challenge. In their own words:

However, a FIFA spokeswoman has responded to the news by telling the FFA to forget about the compensation claim. 

"As part of the bidding documents all bidders, including the FA Australia, accepted that the format and dates of the staging of the Fifa World Cup and Fifa Confederations Cup, though initially expected to be in June/July, remains subject to the final decision of the Fifa Organising Committee," she said.

I'm really surprised FIFA is going to hang their hat on the "in principle" argument. Even if the contract did not state specific dates (which from previous reporting would not seem to be the case), such a shift fundamentally changes the nature of the tournament, and in essence is not the same product counties bid on.

I hope FIFA starts walking that one back as I expect it is a dead bang loser ... even in front of the notorious inept CAS, who I would imagine would hear the bulk of the issue on moving the World Cup.

By the way, the other day I commented on our representative on EXCOM, Sunil Gulati and how he was certainly well poised to serve our interests. Well, in fine fashion, he has been "stirring the pot" at FIFA over the date change, but like any other masterful politician, is crafting his arguments out of matter other than sour grapes (for the US losing bid).

If there is a revote, I have to imagine the US, and England, are the ones in best position to take the hosting duties. Hat tip to Mr. Gulati,

"In principle" my arse

Qatar are in danger of having 2022 FIFA World Cup snatched from them with major pressure on FIFA

Pressure from Europe’s football elite — including the Premier League — as well as the concerns of powerful American TV interests, Qatar’s beaten rival bidders for 2022 and anti-corruption investigators could scupper the project to stage the world’s biggest football tournament in the small but oil-rich desert state.

It is virtually certain that football’s world governing body, FIFA, will announce early next month that the 2022 tournament cannot be staged in Qatar in the summer — as originally envisaged when the World Cup was awarded to the emirate three years ago — because of the dangerously high temperatures, which can reach 40 degrees centigrade. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Fox News.

Kicking Back Comments: So in the article we see the mounting legal challenges to moving the World Cup to winter of 2022. Fox, Telemundo, EPL, and various bidding association are among them. It would seem clear that if the EX-CO takes the decision to move the Cup, all (legal) hell is going to break loose and FIFA could wind up losing substantial revenue as FOX paid $1BILLION ... for a tournament in the summer (when nothing else is going on in the US sports-wise). It suffices to say they have concerns about bumping into the NFL schedule in winter.

Now from the article we see yet another weak justification from Sepp:

Blatter appeared to attempt to claim last week that FIFA had the latitude to move the event at will, saying 2022 bids were made for a summer event ‘in principle’.

Of course the contracts to host the Cup do not say that, but reportedly actually state June and July in there, as any good contract would.

Sepp's pathetic explanation continues to lend credence to just how arrogant this empty suit is. A single handed belief that he can move a honored tournament that has been played in June and July since the 1930's, to another month.

Now, here is the other side of my mouth, and I loath to make Sepp's case, but ... what about countries like Qatar who can't reasonably host the tournament in that timeframe due to factors out of their control, like the weather. Should they be denied the opportunity to host?

I don't think so ... but this is an issue that should have been disclosed before the bidding even began.  

But wait ... there's more ...

Fifa accused of ‘playing God’ by stopping 17-year-old Briton’s college education

FIFA has been accused of playing God after football’s world governing body used rules designed to prevent child trafficking to deny a 17-year-old British schoolboy the chance to take up a place on a college course – in Wiltshire.

To make matters worse, the boy’s family has concerns that the British government, while sympathetic to the their case and supportive, are reluctant to get actively involved because Fifa has a track record of suspending national associations when there has been ‘political interference’ in the football business of that nation. ...

See the whole article here, courtesy of Sporting Intelligence.

Kicking Back Comments: I have to admit, when I first read this I figured there was some clear crossed wire, or something else was going on, or was fabricated.

Yeah, not so much.

Take a look here at the decision from FIFA to keep a college kid from playing.

What is scary too is the discussion in the article about the retribution FIFA has taken on the FA in the past, and there is concern for the same in this case.

Honestly, I can actually sort of rationalize the large efforts like the racism board I ranted about yesterday. It can take time to move such a big ship. I get it.

This current situation is rather pathetic however. I mean come on, let the kid play. His folks are moving (back) in country and (in essence) not let a child play football is absurd ... even for FIFA.

For the good of the game they say ...

So much for Mr. Nice Guy

Special Report: Qatar 2022 – A crisis of FIFA’s own making

France Football's Philippe Auclair is bringing us a three-part special report into Qatar's controversial hosting of the 2022 World Cup. In part one, he looks at how FIFA found itself in such a mess, and how Sepp Blatter has potentially opened up a huge rupture in the global game. Parts two and three will be published on Thursday and Friday.

Two years and nine months after FIFA’s Executive Committee awarded the 2022 World Cup to Qatar in perplexing circumstances, the uncertainty lingers: no one knows for sure what lies on that horizon, which could yet prove to be a mirage.

Sepp Blatter, who masters double negatives with something of PG Wodehouse’s virtuosity for similes and metaphors, did nothing to dispel the clouds that are gathering over the fate of that tournament when he spoke on the subject little over a week ago. ...

See part 1 of the story here, part 2 here, and part 3 here, courtesy of Yahoo! Sport.

Kicking Back Comments: I am suddenly becoming a fan of 2022 in Qatar.

It is wonderful to see FIFA implode right before my eyes, and characters like Blatter and Platini show their true hatred of the English Game.

Here are our leaders folks. How truly sad for The Game.

Apparently even other MLB pitches think Dempster was "bush league"

Baseball Players Don’t Have a Problem with A-Rod via an ESPN Poll

Last week Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz came to the defense of Alex Rodriguez in the wake of the Ryan Dempster plunking on Sunday Night Baseball. If an ESPN confidential player poll is to be believed, Ortiz isn’t alone in the pro-Rodriguez camp. ESPN the Magazine interviewed 36 current MLB pitchers anonymously and asked them if they wanted to bean A-Rod?

Their answer: 100 percent no. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of TheBigLead.com.

Kicking Back Comments: Hmmmm ... That's pretty compelling stuff actually.

There were a couple of other things that caught my eye from the actual survey results (from the above link to ESPN).

First, was this:
4. If the 211-game ban were put to a vote with players, what percentage would side with A-Rod?
Average answer: 43.6 percent

Staggeringly precise answer aside ... it is actually a pretty small number. Far smaller than I would have ever thought.

Second, was this one, which was illuminating:

8. What percentage of players do you think is still violating MLB's drug policy?
Average answer: 7.1 percent

Wow. Honestly, I think that one is scary as I interpret this one as "How many do you have actual knowledge of that are still violating the MLB policy ..."

If it is near 10% this is really a serious issue ...

But like the NFL and NBA, MLB just does not care I would opine.

Take a look at the whole ESPN survey, it does paint a picture, and one that is not good at all.

Blatter: We may regret picking Brazil

Blatter: World Cup in Brazil could be mistake

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 17 (Xinhua) -- FIFA President Sepp Blatter said Wednesday it may have been a mistake to choose Brazil to host next year's World Cup.

His comments follow nationwide unrest during last month's Confederations Cup in which hundreds of thousands of Brazilians expressed anger that public money was being spent on stadiums instead of vital services like health, transport and education.

Blatter said he planned to raise his concerns with Brazil president Dilma Rousseff in September. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Xinhuanet.

Kicking Back Comments: What is sadly hilarious are Sepp's comments. He is already laying blame at the feet of Brazil. Now I for one believe that there will be significant protests during the World Cup, and based on his comments, Sepp is going to lay it right at the feet of the Brazilian government.

He forgets to give the citizens some credit, as while yes, the Brazilian government bears some responsibility for inviting FIFA (and the IOC) into their homes, these organizations have some responsibility back to the citizens (not just their government) for allowing the privilege.

FIFA courts are going to have their hands full in 2014, and certainly well beyond any "ambush marketing."

Wait for it ...

FIFA to move 2022 WC from summer?

FIFA President Sepp Blatter expects his executive committee to decide soon that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be switched from summer.

Blatter told The Associated Press on Sunday that an Oct. 3-4 meeting in Zurich should approve the change, and begin consultation on the best time for Qatar to host the tournament.

''I would be very much surprised, more than surprised, if the ExCo will not accept the principle you cannot play in summer in Qatar,'' Blatter said in an interview on the sidelines of the annual charity football tournament in his home village. ''What will be following, this would be then decided later.'' ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Fox Sports.

Kicking Back Comments: From even a neutral perspective (i.e. without regard to nationality), this is a joke as Qatar did not suddenly get really hot in summer. This leads me down the path of (a) FIFA is really, really dumb in not recognizing this fact, or (b) FIFA knew exactly this tournament was unsustainable in the summer and had designs to changes the dates all along to accommodate the bribes country that won the vote.

As a US national, this ticks me off as if this was really on the table, it should have been so up front for a level vote between Qatar and the US. Instead we get the FIFA ExCo strong-armed to vote in October in moving the World Cup. I have to believe it would have been a different result if everyone was honest upfront about what their intention was, or at least going in knowing a concession would need to be made for the heat.

Something tells me that the vote would have been very different had that been disclosed up front.

 

Up, Up, and Crap ... More Up

Well the time has come of one of my last events of the year, the first, and hopefully annual, White Mountain Gran Fondo.

Here is the really gross profile of the ride:

It is certainly one that does not favor me at all as I am way more at home on a flat, or in a sprint. In plain english, I am just too big to be effective in the hills.

That said, I will at least make a good show of it and throw myself against the hills and see what comes of it while riding for my team.

While I can't take claim to why I'm doing this with "... because it's there ..." as George Mallory famously did when he was asked why he was climbing Everest, I can say that I am significantly inspired to continue to progress without regard to where I am chronologically in my life.

As you may have guessed, this is a prelude into a bigger topic, as just today I received an EMail from US Soccer regarding what I would consider, significant changes with a serious impact to future referees.

Does this make it too easy to be, and stay, a youth referee, forever?

Is this good?

It makes me wonder ... and wonder I will as I slug it out in the mountains of NH Saturday.

I'll be "off line" until early next week ... but as JAFO has shown recently ... there is no shortage of controversy to discuss. Don't be surprised on an appearance, or just enjoy the archives on the right.

We'll be back at it Monday for certain.

Thanks for reading!
PK

More Blowback for Winter World Cup

FIFA Exec and Premier League Chief Hit Out at 2022 Qatar Winter World Cup

COMMENTARY | Little by little, the foundation of the 2022 QatarWorld Cup is crumbling down. It was but a little over a week ago that FIFA president Sepp Blatter admitted what we all knew was true several years back, that a World Cup cannot take place in Qatarduring the hot summer months. Now, multiple noteworthy individuals are coming forward to voice their displeasure about an event that is becoming more and more a debacle nine years before it is even set to begin. ...

See the whole article here, courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.

Kicking Back Comments: Well, I'm not at all surprised by these reactions. In fact, I am a little surprised regarding how muted some are.

I think that will change however if FIFA actually goes ahead and moves the 2022 Cup to November. Not sure how that is done procedurally (EX-Comm vote, Presidential FIAT?) but Sepp's recent comments may have been a trial balloon to gauge reaction.

As we can see, it is not going well ... and I don't expect will if FIFA actually moves the dates.

Uh oh ...

FIFA: Cameroon ban stands

Johannesburg - Cameroon club Coton Sport won't be allowed to play in the African Champions League this weekend because the country's football federation is still suspended for government interference, FIFA said on Monday.

Coton Sport's ineligibility adds to the complications surrounding Africa's top club competition with Egyptian rivals Zamalek and Al Ahly, the defending champion, without a venue for their meeting because of the political turmoil and threat of violence in their country. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Sport24.

Kicking Back Comments: This again makes me wonder who needs whom. Outside of the world Cup (obviously), why just not play without FIFA?

When the UK threatened to cede from FIFA it seemed to be taken a bit more seriously ... why not here?

Can you imagine if that actually happened ... liberated from FIFA ... what a thought.

Good on FIFA

So I whined here not that long ago about Sepp visiting Palestine, and opined to employ some "balance" in his visits from Sepp playing the joker again.

Well, honestly, good on FIFA and Sepp for visiting both Palestine and Israel as reported here.

I stand by my thinking that FIFA does not want to get wrapped up in the conflict of the region, but, so long as FIFA is even handed with its comments, UI can see no real harm coming.

If however, FIFA choses to take a stand with one or the other, it is going to get exactly what it desserves ... a heap of trouble.