The football industry is corrupt. You know this, we all know this. The nature of the institutions who govern the sport, combined with the enormous amounts of money the industry is now worth, is a toxic cocktail.
A few minutes ago the Fifa Ethics Committee provisionally banned Fifa president, Sep Blatter, Uefa president (and Fifa vice-president) Michel Platini, as well as Fifa Secretary General, Jermoe Valcke, for 90 days pending an investigation. Former Fifa VP, Chung Moon-joon has been banned from the game for 6 years and fined. Chung and Platini both remain candidates to succeed Blatter as Fifa president – yes, it’s that dysfunctional.
This may be the beginning of the end for football’s great Oligarch Administrators, who lived like Saudi princes, paid for by the money which slushes around the game, but it is far from assured that football is now on the right path. Blatter, the embodiment of everything which is wrong with sport and business to many, remains a hugely popular figure. Some of the games administrators, themselves untouched by corruption, shed tears when he recently announced his decision to retire.
The core problem is one of democracy. Fifa is a democratic organisation, which on the face of it sounds like a good thing, but democracy has its drawbacks. One member one vote affords the British Virgin Islands the same weight when it comes to exercising ultimate control as Germany. Apart from hosting the World Cup once every 40 years or so, Fifa can offer Germany little tangible support, but the governing body can metaphorically pave the streets of tiny nations with gold.
Fifa executives, and Blatter in particular, have enormous patronage under their control. Blatter is personally responsible for the decision to ‘support the game’ in many small nations and protectorates, by funding the construction of expensive stadiums and facilities. These amenities are great for the recipient nations, often well beyond anything the local FA or government could afford. Blatter has been The Great Facilitator to many far-flung entities. That patronage buys loyalty and genuine affection.
The problem is not limited to the Fifa executive. Administrators at all levels of the senior game enjoy control over a degree of patronage. Merely becoming an office holder at your FA makes you a dignitary of some sort. There will be an expense account, doors will open, facilities made available.
Football’s problem is that its structure made it inevitable that corrupt individuals would eventually take control. Cutting the head off Fifa will not be sufficient to change that, the way football funds itself also needs to change – and that would inevitably mean less money going to poor places in the world. If accountability replaces patronage, Blatter’s largess to underfunded Associations would end. The game would be cleaner, but there are 100 FAs with skin in the game who stand to lose, so assume nothing.
Take a look at the work of Joseph Gormley, a Scots-born artist in the US, who has raised over $170k for various charities. His is another great tale in the story of the Celtic support.
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we should sign that Shane Long fella.
and the bhoy Davis from the north occupied counties
I feel sick, physically sick. What a spawny goal.
Proud of the way we tried to play in this tournament but maybe we are more suited to the percentage game we used in the 90s.
Ireland and NI play that way and have had success.
Oh well, cheer on Ireland at the weekend and hopefully we will still have a few footie BBQs next summer at our house but in green not blue :-)
Gutted for WGS and Scotland tonight, apart from the Georgia game away, Scotland were quite obviously the 3rd (if not 2nd) best team in the group, and played some very attractive football. Ireland have been dire and are surviving only on their very good defensive record. They will not enhance the tournament proper in any footballing way should they get through the play offs, although as per norm their fans will be a very welcome addition.
Their play off opponents will need to be poor though for that to happen.
And no, they wont do anything in Poland in the final game.
Sorry 25 on Germany in LMS5. The other 11 on Germany never bought back in.
HH
CRC
Corkcelt,
I wouldn’t think so. 1 each and Poland superior goal difference would see them through.
Ireland might still squeak through as best placed 3rd team.
canny be many on 18 right now
HH
corkcelt
And in Dublin mate when McCarthy elbowed Russell Martin and was not sent off.
Those are the only two games I saw Ireland over 90 minutes but they were extremely dirty in both.
I had to laugh at the Poles complaining about the Scots when our team by and large were tough but fair.
I thought Poles were tough guys. Maybe not.
I know I am disappointed and I do not want to detract from Ireland getting a great result but on those two games I feel they are in an undeserving position.
If they get there I’ll be behind them or Wales but I’ll still be very disappointed at the manner that Scotland have lost out and to teams I feel we are at least the equal of.
Congratulations Ireland a fantastic result. Scotland, I’ve seen that movie a few times.
HH
21nov2006
Another bitter twisted little man
Great crack tonight in the Republic
Oh it’s great
Wes Holohan probably one of the most skillful players in the EPL wAS ignored by Trappattoni for years because he maintained he was too small is playing better than ever and mom tonight. Sorry for Gordon and Scotland.
By the way
Bitter and twisted
Watch us beat Poland on Sunday
If you hadn’t conceded that late equaliser we could have brought you through to the play offs.
What is the Stars
Scotland beat the world/European Champions twice in 2008 and did not qualify because our group was harder.
Ireland have got lucky twice but it is a luck that either they cannot hold onto or maybe they deserve after the Henry handball.
Nothing is finished yet but I find losing out to two teams at least our equal to be hard to take.
I Heard he was Dead, I can understand your disappointment after taking 4 points off us and ultimately it was the loss in Georgia that cost ye. However it takes a little more then pure luck to take 4 points off Germany. It was back to the wall stuff for long periods in Dublin tonight but there was fantastic discipline heart & courage shown as well. I’m just sorry ye didn’t win tonight and just maybe we both could have squeaked through.
I heard he was dead
Yea
Tough
Get over it. Don’t be bitter
Generally you get what you deserve in sport.
Scotland are out. Finished 4th in the group
And you reckon they ate better than 2 of the teams that finished above them
What is the Stars
I said on a par.
Not better.
What is the stars
Bitter and twisted never, disappointed and realistic yes.
I’ve seen the 4 games Scotland have played against yourselves and Poland. It doesn’t please me to say it but my money will be heavily on Poland.
Good luck nonetheless, I wasn’t on here earlier touting 4-0 Poland.
hunter kirkwood
phones off the ball.
should have asked him first is that a real name ?
guest what, its strachans fault
Poland were lucky to get a draw in Dublin and were outplayed in the second half.
saint stivs
What’s worse is that poor wee chick says he won’t sleep tonight.
He needs a teddy bear to hold on to.
Wee chic dung apaplectic on shortbread earlier ….nearly greetin’ …. hahahahahahahaha
I heard he was dead
Scotland 12 points
Ireland 18 points
Poland 18 points
Explain on a par to me please
Well done Ireland, hopefully you can secure second place with a win at the weekend.
In the last two years under WGS only Germany, England and Georgia in his worst match have beaten Scotland.
He deserves another go.
England
Slovakia
Scotland
Slovenia
Lithuania
Malta
Scotland should be capable of finishing at least 2nd in that group.
Most countries on a par and smaller than Scotland in that group. Huge chance.
Almore
Well done to the lads in Green
Ye of little faith. 4-1 to the Germans my Arse
Go on the bhoys inGreen.
HH
I heard he was dead
Scotland could finish 6th in the group And still be on a par with all the teams above them
Coybig
What is the Stars
Football is about luck.
Ireland were lucky twice against the Germans while roundly beaten by Scotland and unable to beat them at home.
That’s your explanation.
Enjoy your moment mate. It might be completely fleeting.
RWE
i appreciated your croppies requiem earlier today, here is a definitive recording ……………….
and offcourse four green fields
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d30rpdvtiA
I heard he was dead
Or they could copy ireland and get lucky twice and maybe finish 4th
What is the Stars
Out of interest, where in Ireland are you from?
I heard he was dead
Bitter little man
I told you last month. This was going to happen
Fleeting my arse
Fenian bastards 1 sfa 0. And I’m also a Fenian b. Remember that’s acceptable in their eyes. Used 2 love Scotland. They r an irrelevance now. lol.
What is the stars
4 points from 6 from Ireland games
2 draws in Poland games
Thats better than par I reckon
I heard he was dead
Where in Ireland am I from? ?
You haven’t paid attention over the years have you
What is the Stars
It is an honest question.
Oh dear
21 Nov
Ahem
So Scotland topped the group then ?
Deluded
Wgs will leave when he decides.
Best manager of the national side in years.
Last good few managers have either been gash or jumped ship as soon as the Rangers board flashed their knickers.
Bring on the Motherwell
HH
I heard he was dead
It’s an honest answer