More than a badge

It can be hard to remember sometimes that the people behind those referee badges have friends, family, jobs, interests, and real life stuff outside of soccer. Believe it or not, there is a real person under these uniforms. JAFO put this quite elegantly in his post "Making Connections."

In my recent past as I try to find some form again after law school (other than spherical), I have had the opportunity to really reflect on what is important, and just how lucky I am for my family and I to have good health.

As part of my regime now I am cycling a bunch, getting ready to do some racing (gulp), but most importantly riding in a series of charity rides to help those who are inflicted by some really horrible diseases. Just as much as I am astounded by how many people are touched by THE game. I am even more astounded in how many are touched by such horrible ailments that cut life short or curtail it significantly.

All too often I cavalierly speak about this play, or that physical act, or fitness of a player or referee, many times forgetting about those who just never get the chance, or those who could at a point in their life, and now can't.

For my part in reflecting on those who may not have this chance, I am raising funds and riding in Ride the Rhode bike tour for MS in about a week. On this tour about 900 cyclists will ride 150 miles to raise funds for MS, a truly horrible and debilitating disease that makes life just that much more challenging.

If you have the time, please come on out and ride, or volunteer your time. It is an experience that you will never forget to help others, who may not be able to help themselves.

If you can't come out, please consider sponsoring me for this ride here. All donations regardless of amount are warmly accepted, are paid directly to the National MS Society, and are tax deductible as allowed by law as a recognized 501(c)(3) charity.

For a full BBB report on the National MS Society, please go here.

Yes, soccer is life, and sometimes life, like soccer, can bounce in a way you never expect. Please help me to make a difference for someone who may have caught and unlucky bounce.

FIFA gets it right this time

FIFA to donate $6 mil. in quake aid to Japanese soccer

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Soccer's world governing body FIFA has decided to donate about $6 million in aid to clubs and areas affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, Japan Football Association President Junji Ogura said Thursday.

Clubs including the three worst-hit teams -- Vegalta Sendai, seven-time J-League champions Kashima Antlers and second-division Mito Hollyhock -- will receive $4.5 million for repairs to their stadiums and training facilities damaged by the deadly quake and tsunami that also triggered a nuclear crisis in Fukushima Prefecture. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of the Mainichi Daily News.

Kicking Back Comments: As I have stated before here, FIFA has a tremendous capacity to do some real good in the world. This is an excellent example. They need to just get out of the shadow of speculation by placing a leader at the helm that stands beyond reproach and turn the body back into a true model for international football governance. Until then, FIFA as a whole is marred, and no amount of good in my opinion will make a difference.

Don't forget to have fun

2011 Massachusetts ODP Referees and Assessors
Photo courtesy of Elie

Sunil Gulati an Obama Bundler?

He is not, but I ran across an article form NPR titled,  Report: Obama's Big Money Raisers Get Key Posts, Access, Stimulus Dollars.

Clearly the article is referring in the picture to Donald Gips, the ambassador to South Africa, and Obama mega-bundler. I have to admit surprise though when I saw our president (Mr. Gulati) when I opened the article.

No conspiracy theories this time, just a chuckle.

Photo Courtesy of NPR

Houston: We (still) have a problem!

27,910: The average crowd the host country U.S. has drawn for its two games at this month's Gold Cup soccer tournament. The average attendance for Mexico's three games has been 62,707.

Source: WSJ.

South Africa ... a Year Later

Is the 2010 FIFA World Cup legacy all smoke and mirrors?

One year on - and not a single South African newspaper considered the 2010 FIFA World Cup Anniversary worth mentioning on the front cover (apart from a tiny Zakumi gracing theCity Press banner). Equally disinterested was the national broadcaster, which did not even devote a single show to remembering what once had been billed "South Africa's greatest moment in history" - and even 702 pulled its World Cup Special in favour of a discussion on how holiday homes can be rented at a discount in low season. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Bizcommunity.

Kicking Back Comments: Interesting quazi-financial analysis that continues to ask the question, a year later, did South Africa really get something for the World Cup? Granted in the afterglow it is largely on the host country to make something of it with the recognition and monies that are residual, but were all those promises by FIFA fulfilled? Why does it appear that other host countries have done much better at capitalizing on the "afterglow" than South Africa?

The business of sport ... truly fascinating. 

Opera singer Placido Domingo to save FIFA

FIFA turning to 'sages' for advice

FIFA is setting up the Council of Sages in an effort to repair its image after a series of scandals. The Council will consist of celebrities, including former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, opera singer Placido Domingo and football legend Johan Cruijff.

Football experts quickly accused FIFA’s President Sepp Blatter of trying to turn the International Football Federation into a circus. Mr.Blatter explained that the ‘sages’ would provide only counseling and exercise no powers. The chief of the International Football Federation couldn’t recall the name of the Spanish tenor as he talked to CNN reporters about the Council. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of The Voice of Russia.

Kicking Back Comments: For any who were on the fence regarding just how deep in turmoil FIFA is ... Sepp's creation of a "council of elders" should seal it for you as this is just silly ... and Sepp is being mocked for it.

In isolation Kissenger is a great choice to provide guidance to FIFA as his love and involvement in THE game is well known. Cruijff as well has clearly strong credentials. Domingo ... well ... other than a face to do PR spots, I'm not sure. In any event, the institution of "elders" is absurd on its face. Neither I, nor anyone else, based on the feedback, thinks this "council" will be able to accomplish anything, or will help in any way.

Well see what comes of it.

Well ... at least they are not hiding the corruption findings

SEPP BLATTER LAUGHS OFF LAWYER’S DAMNING BRIBERY CLAIMS

SEPP Blatter’s attempts to brush Fifa corruption allegations under the carpet were slammed last night.

Shameless Sepp told the world he was “happy” a report into dodgy dealings at Fifa had found they were corruption free.

However, we can reveal that the actual report, published on Fifa’s own website, blasts the organisation for giving the green light to bungs and bribes.

The report was compiled by British lawyer James Dingemans QC in the wake of allegations made by ex-FA chief Lord Triesman. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of the Daily Star and the full report here (pdf), from FIFA.

Kicking Back Comments: So brazen that FIFA posts the report in full and does not seem the least bit concerned. Some great stuff in here about Jack Warner. Start at paragraph 10 on page 4.

Passing of a friend to THE game

The referee community was saddened recently by the passing of long time Fall River referee Victor Costa at the young age of 44.

He was an avid sports fan, coached for the Fall River Youth Soccer for many years and also was a referee for high school and college teams.

Victor is survived by his wife of 18 years, parents, his two daughters, Samantha and Sabrina, both of Fall River; a sister, Maria L. Silva of Fall River; and two nieces.

Further information regarding the services can be found here.

Upgrade Kudos

As we have done here in the past, I would like to congratulate Aaron Lewinter, who has recently been upgraded to Grade 7 (Referee 1st Class).

Well done!

No Comment

Exit may be on the horizon as Warner aims to give FIFA inquiry a miss

LA PAZ, Jun 09: Football and FIFA will have seen the last of controversial Jack Warner if the suspended head of CONCACAF goes ahead with his refusal to meet bribery allegations investigators.

Trinidadian Warner and Qatar’s Asian confederation president Mohamed Bin Hammam was banned pending a full ethics committee hearing into whether they colluded to hand out $1m ‘buying’ 25 Caribbean votes in the recent FIFA presidential election.

The storm has overshadowed the early stages of the Central and North American Confederation’s showpiece Gold Cup which is under way in the United States. ...

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

Kicking Back Comments: Today would not be soon enough to expel Warner from FIFA. Give him the Process that is due, then thank him for his service, and show him the door.  

You would think ...

... the video clip yesterday was a fluke and could never happen again, right? Or maybe more pointed, never happen in YOUR match.

Wrong! Take a look below. Goal, no goal, something else? Vote ==>

Goal or No Goal?

Look here, and vote on the right ==>.

Don't Forget ...

... soccer is just a game, and the people who participate are the ones that count.

Please see "Bittersweet memories of a soccer player", from Paul Levy's blog, Not Running a Hospital to reaffirm this construct and it exists within the larger, and far more important construct we call life.

I would opine, if one loses sight of that fact, they have lost sight of THE game itself.

A Bad Hair Day Indeed

Special thanks to Dick W. for bringing this one forward.

Take a read, comedy aside, if the send off was justified, how could it have been handled better?

Footy player Nathan Van Someren sent off for 'dangerous' mohawk

A FOOTBALLER in Victoria has vowed to keep his mohawk despite being sent off on Saturday "for having a dangerous haircut".

In a regional first ruling, Simpson midfielder Nathan Van Someren was given his marching orders midway through the third quarter of his team's game against Otway Districts in the Colac and District Football League, the Geelong Advertiser said.

Van Someren, who has played with his outlandish hair with Simpson for three years, said he couldn't believe it when umpire Don Wheadon showed him a yellow card for his hairdo. ...

See the full story here, courtesy of The Daily Telegraph.

When the winner is a loser ...

Sepp Blatter may think he's won – but he's lost

What I know about the finer points of football could be summed up on the back of the proverbial postage stamp. But I do know a bit about politics, and football politics aren't so different.

Sepp Blatter thought he won at Fifa's jamboree in Zurich on Wednesday. But he didn't. He lost. Money made this scandal, and money will unpick it. ...

See the whole insightful post here, courtesy of Guardian.

Great Insight

Check out this quick and fantastic post by George Cumming, The FIFA Presidential Election – football politics in the raw.

While I muse about these topics from an armchair, and have not danced in these circles ... Mr. Cumming has.

From this post it is clear that not only FIFA, but CONCACAF too is a mess, and will be for some time.

Exclusive Interview with Chuck Blazer

Here is the most critical message:

"I still have my job ..."

See the whole interview here, courtesy of World Football Insider.

A good alternate title may be, "How to thwart a coup."

Ladies and gentlemen, there are some serious political games being played right now ... especially in CONCACAF.

Blatter Re-Elected as FIFA President

A sad day for honest football indeed.

Joseph "Sepp" Blatter reelected as FIFA president despite scandals in soccer organization

See the full article here, courtesy of the LA Times.

Killing the victim

Fifa delegates attack England as attempt to postpone election fails

The Football Association's attempt to delay the uncontested election of the Fifa president failed at the organisation's congress on Wednesday amid an outpouring of anti-English sentiment from some quarters.

David Bernstein, the FA chairman, made a late attempt to alter the agenda less than 24 hours before the assembly. He was afforded the opportunity to introduce his initiative with a speech to the full congress in which he stated that there would be no "proper, credible mandate" ifSepp Blatter's coronation proceeds amid widespread corruption allegations. ...

See the whole story here, courtesy of Guardian.

Kicking Back Comments: Pathetic. Here was a chance to do some real good and wait until things got sorted before Sepp's coronation. The result, a resounding "no" from FIFA to actually try to start to fix what is going on.

Even one who is starting to try and do some good, Chuck Blazer said the FA's move to launch a full independent investigation was "... to little, too late." When the devil is it too late to try to right a wrong, or a series of wrongs?

With an attitude like that, nothing will ever get done. Oh wait ... that is what is happening here ... never mind ... FIFA is right on cue then.

While these comments about Blazer seem critical, they are not meant to be, as it is clear that he is one of the very few "playing the game" in an effort to pierce the bureaucratic nonsense that is FIFA, to come out with a just result.

Someone who can put immediate pressure on the Seppster to step down are the sponsors. It would appear they are none too thrilled about what is going on and are starting to voice it in various volumes.

If you really want to get his attention, have Coca-Cola drop its FIFA sponsorship ... then, and only then, would we see some immediate change.