Sepp & FIFA ExCo must take account
Credit:
And so again football finds itself dragged through the mire of alleged corruption. Again those
who have spent their time campaigning vociferously for transparency and change in the world’s
biggest sport rightly cry foul. Again Sepp Blatter claims ignorance to what members of his executive
committee may have been involved in and promises a full and thorough investigation. And
presumably again we will watch on as that process is entered into, a possible sacrificial lamb is found
and presented to a baying public in a bid to pacify critics and reassure fans that all is well and we
will sit happy and contented until the next scandal emerges and the now all too familiar cycle starts
again.
I wonder when he sits in the President’s Office in FIFA’s secluded headquarters in its wooded enclave just outside Zurich, does Mr Blatter have time or occasion to reflect much on the trials and tribulations that being the most powerful man in football brings with it. From watching him from afar over the years and reading and hearing his views on various issues he does not strike me as the type of chap who allows what is beyond his control to inflict too much mental stress or turmoil upon himself. It would be intriguing though to get an insight into his thoughts on the events that developed within 48 hours this week.
On Monday a $20 million commitment on behalf of FIFA towards an Interpol training scheme aimed at eradicating match fixing and illegal betting was launched amid a blaze of publicity. A lesson in starting the week on a positive PR message and Blatter, like a proud father, was prominent in much of its coverage. By Tuesday evening Lord David Triesman’s now much publicised declarations at the British House Of Commons provided fresh evidence that the seedy aspect of the game most likely stretches far higher than players pre-determining the outcomes of matches or profiting from insider knowledge. Blatter expressed his understandable shock and, always the canny politician, reminded us that he had just launched a fresh bid to rid the game of such ills. After all there is an election to fight around the corner.
It was particularly interesting to follow this week’s developing allegations through the medium of English television, radio and press. As tales of knighthoods were sought, funding for schools requested, rights for exclusive TV coverage of games floated, all combined to build an increasingly bad image for football’s administrators. What was missing in the debate was any reference to the fact that Lord Triesman’s extensive use of parliamentary privilege to point the finger at corruption coincided with the emergence of the fact that those behind the failed English bid had availed of the services of a corporate surveillance company to monitor the movements and conversations of members of rival bid teams in the five star hotel where many along with FIFA executive committee members stayed ahead of decisive vote.
It’s hard to maintain the moral high ground and try to argue that you’re virtuous and unstained when such a revelation emerges. Throw in, as well, Triesman’s assertion that the support of the English Premier League came with the condition that the FA would support their ludicrous plans for Game 39 and you quickly come to realise that Lord Triesman and his friends were happy to dip their toes into the water of political power playing and mutual back scratching, albeit not to the extent that some of FIFA’s king makers hoped they would. If the World Cup was destined to come to our nearest neighbours in seven years time would any of these fresh allegations have come to light?
It can’t come as too great a shock that there are elements of sport that contrast greatly with the idealistic world of fair competition, honesty, fair play and whatever other romantic images you might like to throw into the melting pot. Money and power corrupts, and are all too frequent bed fellows. The massive growth in the commercial power and potential of various sports means corruption may well be a too frequent visitor to our door. We’re fortunate that there are passionate figures who have dedicated much of their professional lives to keeping those who administer sport in line. Andrew Jennings has long been a thorn in the side of FIFA, the ChangeFIFA.org campaign has further intensified the spotlight on Zurich, while Professor Declan Hill continues to be a stringent campaigner and monitor of match fixing and irregularities.
While Lord Triesman’s pronouncements this week mark another dark day for soccer, if found to be true they do also serve to vindicate those who have worked so hard and put their reputations on the line in a bid to clean up the sport. It should serve too as a fresh reminder of the size of the challenge instigating change in such a mammoth organisation. It’s a fight worth fighting though, and long may those who sully the sport be called to account.
I wonder when he sits in the President’s Office in FIFA’s secluded headquarters in its wooded enclave just outside Zurich, does Mr Blatter have time or occasion to reflect much on the trials and tribulations that being the most powerful man in football brings with it. From watching him from afar over the years and reading and hearing his views on various issues he does not strike me as the type of chap who allows what is beyond his control to inflict too much mental stress or turmoil upon himself. It would be intriguing though to get an insight into his thoughts on the events that developed within 48 hours this week.
On Monday a $20 million commitment on behalf of FIFA towards an Interpol training scheme aimed at eradicating match fixing and illegal betting was launched amid a blaze of publicity. A lesson in starting the week on a positive PR message and Blatter, like a proud father, was prominent in much of its coverage. By Tuesday evening Lord David Triesman’s now much publicised declarations at the British House Of Commons provided fresh evidence that the seedy aspect of the game most likely stretches far higher than players pre-determining the outcomes of matches or profiting from insider knowledge. Blatter expressed his understandable shock and, always the canny politician, reminded us that he had just launched a fresh bid to rid the game of such ills. After all there is an election to fight around the corner.
It was particularly interesting to follow this week’s developing allegations through the medium of English television, radio and press. As tales of knighthoods were sought, funding for schools requested, rights for exclusive TV coverage of games floated, all combined to build an increasingly bad image for football’s administrators. What was missing in the debate was any reference to the fact that Lord Triesman’s extensive use of parliamentary privilege to point the finger at corruption coincided with the emergence of the fact that those behind the failed English bid had availed of the services of a corporate surveillance company to monitor the movements and conversations of members of rival bid teams in the five star hotel where many along with FIFA executive committee members stayed ahead of decisive vote.
It’s hard to maintain the moral high ground and try to argue that you’re virtuous and unstained when such a revelation emerges. Throw in, as well, Triesman’s assertion that the support of the English Premier League came with the condition that the FA would support their ludicrous plans for Game 39 and you quickly come to realise that Lord Triesman and his friends were happy to dip their toes into the water of political power playing and mutual back scratching, albeit not to the extent that some of FIFA’s king makers hoped they would. If the World Cup was destined to come to our nearest neighbours in seven years time would any of these fresh allegations have come to light?
It can’t come as too great a shock that there are elements of sport that contrast greatly with the idealistic world of fair competition, honesty, fair play and whatever other romantic images you might like to throw into the melting pot. Money and power corrupts, and are all too frequent bed fellows. The massive growth in the commercial power and potential of various sports means corruption may well be a too frequent visitor to our door. We’re fortunate that there are passionate figures who have dedicated much of their professional lives to keeping those who administer sport in line. Andrew Jennings has long been a thorn in the side of FIFA, the ChangeFIFA.org campaign has further intensified the spotlight on Zurich, while Professor Declan Hill continues to be a stringent campaigner and monitor of match fixing and irregularities.
While Lord Triesman’s pronouncements this week mark another dark day for soccer, if found to be true they do also serve to vindicate those who have worked so hard and put their reputations on the line in a bid to clean up the sport. It should serve too as a fresh reminder of the size of the challenge instigating change in such a mammoth organisation. It’s a fight worth fighting though, and long may those who sully the sport be called to account.
