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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Zbyszek – an ole ole sailor tells me you’ve not been well; I hope you’re on the mend.
Dontbrattbakkinanger
I have literary jealousy…nice one
HH
*** THE LAST MAN STANDING WEEK 2 PICKS ***
We have the following picks listed for ‘International Weekend’. Your pick is valid if your week 1 pick was succeSsful OR if you have paid your way back in for week 2.
Good luck!
36 – Germany (v Ireland)
16 – Portugal (v Denmark)
8 – Austria (v Montenegro)
3 – Spain (v Ukraine)
2 – Montenegro (v Austria) and Poland (v Ireland)
1 – Boznia-Herzegovia (v Wales ), Finland (v Northern Ireland), Ireland (v Germany), Northern Ireland (v Finland), Poland (v Scotland), Scotland (v Poland), Wales (v Bosnia-Herzegovia)
DBBIA @ 6:18 PM,
… it’s not good for my sanity.
Well I can understand that, but stick with it please, WC is making attempts to improve the user interface experience* – and there is a certain lack of wit and huge dollops of bampottery, the balance needs addressing.
Hail Hail
* That’s Gatesian for getting your punters to highlight all the bebugging issues.
Not being too harsh WC, anyway work out alright for Bill:-)
Traditionally, International week can be a bit of a nightmare on CQN.
But who’d a thunk that it would be the catalyst for the long awaited return of (among others) DBBIA, Zbyszek and Livibhoy.
WE’re going to come out of the International Break a lot stronger than we went into it!
Come On Scotland!!
JAMESGANG
Thanks for your efforts mate , are you going to day oot on Saturday ?
Evening All.
Bob Loblaw
Re your question about the Celtic Charity Foundation terms and conditions.
I don’t know the answer to your question, but I will strive for an answer.
If I were guessing, I think the 50% provision is there to stop people registering for a charity event and then raising no money.
At one or two of the recent meetings of the fans committee who work with the Foundation, it has been made clear that some people have registered for an event such as the Ben Nevis Huddle and have actually gone on the trip but didn’t do any fundraising.
It could be that they have changed the registration criteria to stop this and to ensure that those who do plan on fundraising do not miss out on a place at an event as a result of others taking up event places just for the sake of it and no more.
But that is a guess on my part.
I am still fundraising for the homeless sleep out event and anyone who is interested in sponsoring me can do so here.
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/jamesmcginley1?
All funds greatfully received.
Many thanks to those who have sponsored me already.
BRTH
A lot of strange team selections for the teams but not really for Germany or Poland. Strongest line-ups on show there.
Scotland need to get something. Not sure they will but I’d take a draw right now.
I expect Germany to beat Ireland and I expect the group to finish with Germany on top and Poland second.
How it works out is anyone’s guess.
I expect the group to go to the last game.
Dontbrattbakkinanger
A-fib and AFI that we could not calm and that done damage. Almost 3 months after op. Opened procedure becouse of too high PSA. The rest goes very well ;-)
I Heard He Was Dead –
First requirement – we need a better result tonight that Ireland, unless we BOTH manage to win.
Second requirement – we beat Gibraltar and see what happens…
It’s not that far fetched that we* will finish third
Jobo
* Scotland (from my perspective)
Z- keep well.
I’ll send the ole wooden prayers to the BVM, St Adalbert and St Stanislaus.
El Gordo hopes to get the result by usin’ the ole mogadonaccio selection.
Jobo
I think it is a fair comment to expect Germany to win to ensure they win the group. They are strong and for the life of me I still don’t know how Ireland escaped with a draw against them previously nor how Poland managed to beat them with two shots on goal but now they are back to looking like the machine they usually are.
Scotland gave them a game but they play on a different level from every other side in Europe in my opinion.
I’ve always felt this game at Hampden was the key game in the group for Scotland. Get something and I expect us to be in the play-offs because I think Ireland will struggle in Warsaw.
I could be completely wrong but I’d rather have our last two fixtures than theirs.
We are probably guaranteed 3 points on Sunday.
Still feel the group will go to Sunday.
What is the actual point of Steven Fletcher?
It is hardly news that FIFA, and in all probability, EUFA are corrupt. And to be honest, I could not give monkey’s, or for that matter, two monkey’s.
I am more concerned with football related corruption nearer home. Leaving aside referees and monetary matters, we have for the last four years witnessed a national association, of which Celtic is part, breaking its arse to save one club.
We have witnessed a national association, of which Celtic is part, sit back whilst a clearly flawed administration process of a member club was carried out.
We have a national association of which Celtic is part, take no action whilst, as far as I know, a £250,000 fine on a member club remains unpaid.
We have a national association, of which Celtic is part, be all too willing to punish individuals, Guidetti and Griffiths, who by utterances deemed to be offensive, and brought Scottish Football and Scotland into disrepute. I still await reply from the same national association, of which Celtic is part, as to what course of action it proposes to take against thousands, who at Hampden on February First this year, by their utterances were not only offensive, but in front of a worldwide television audience brought Scotland and
Scottish Football into disrepute.
On monetary matters, which are at the root of football corruption, I once again call for absolute transparency, on just who gets what from player transfers.
DBBA, Thank you.
I see Scotland squad. No Maloney, no cry.
Poland 4-4-2, attacking football.
Ireland will beat Germany
Scotland ???
They could beat Poland and I hope they do. But the panzer division will be stopped in their tracks tonight at Dublinagrad
Lewandoski was passed over by Celtic in favour of Marc Fortune who cost three times more.
Scotland, we’re sh1te and we don’t know we are,seemples.But we should do!!!!!!
KINGLuBO
bournesouprecipe
Raymond Sparkes did not well during first meeting and was told some can do well without his “help” and irrevocable offer.
First time I’ve ever heard the Tartan army sing the national anthem in time.
COYBIG. Best of luck to Scotland too.
Well that will be that then, indiscipline from Whitteker and Naismith see the Poles run up the park and score…
Offside?
We all need to be aware of illegal streaming sites, they are a curse on our game.
To be sure I don’t inadvertently happen across one of these sites to watch the Scotland game, can anyone give the places to avoid, those that are likely to be streaming this game.
Shite, 1-0 Poland.
The key that doesn’t suit the Scottish fans’ register is the only key that the bagpipes can play it in.
That horrible moment when you are well committed to saying a song on the karaoke and then you realize you will never make the high note.
0-1 Lewandowskli on 2 mins.
A long night for Chesney’s lads
Zybszek, sorry mate, but that’s poor predicting!
He didn’t score til the 3rd minute!
Good finish.
Poland to win 3-0
Germany to win 2-1
3 minutes gone in Dublin. Ireland still holding out.
Polish goal offside
Tell us that old, old story.
Two minutes in and it looks like another gallant failure.
Ouch
Scotland players’ second touches are all tackles or clearances.
SHEIK YERBOUTI on 8TH OCTOBER 2015 7:53 PM
Polish goal offside
If the ref pointed to the middle of the park, it was onside.
– See more at: http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/banned-its-head-chopped-off-but-fifa-remains-dysfunctional/comment-page-5/#comment-2694414
10 minutes gone Dublin. Obviously Germany way more threatening 4 corners to them so far but Ireland still doing well enough.
Marshall poor at the goal. Keeper shouldn’t be beaten at his near post like that.
Zbyszek
We should have signed him
HH
Not that I’m bothered one little bit but some confusion on the sweaty score ? Can some one confirm
Fletcher is the sort of player that can get a manager sacked!
Maybe wee Gordon shares his passion for cars :-)
Polish goal was Celtic SPL offside