FIFA's Epilogue: Global Soccer Officials Arrested in US & Swiss Corruption Cases

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In summary: This is something I strongly dislike about Mother Jones. I don't appreciate them changing the information to make their article look better.
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Astronuc
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Epilogue to 2014 World Cup - Global soccer officials arrested in U.S., Swiss corruption cases
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/arrested-fifa-officials-face-extradition-u-ny-times-050005366--sow.html

ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss police arrested some of the most powerful figures in global soccer on Wednesday, announcing a criminal investigation into the awarding of the next two world cups and plunging the world's most popular sport into turmoil.

In addition to the Swiss criminal probe, at least six soccer officials and a number of sports media and promotions executives would face extradition to the United States to face corruption charges involving more than $100 million in bribes.
. . . .
The arrests by plain-clothes police were made at dawn at a plush Zurich hotel where FIFA officials are staying ahead of a vote this week where they have been expected to easily anoint Blatter for a fifth term in office.

Swiss prosecutors said they had opened criminal proceedings against unidentified individuals on suspicion of mismanagement and money laundering related to the awarding of rights to host the 2018 World Cup in Qatar and the 2022 World Cup in Russia.
Assuming all are arrested, would Blatter be history. Perhaps the Swiss plan to arrest Blatter?
 
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  • #2
Astronuc said:
Global soccer officials arrested in U.S., Swiss corruption cases
Wow this is amazing! I never thought it would happen. I'm getting the popcorn.
 
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Somewhat Ironic that the country with the least interest in FIFA is the one successfully extraditing the accused?
 
  • #5
Windadct said:
Somewhat Ironic that the country with the least interest in FIFA is the one successfully extraditing the accused?
It's one reason we are able to do it. FIFA could end up banning US soccer. Could you imagine if that happened to England or Germany?
 
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  • #6
Greg Bernhardt said:
It's one reason we are able to do it. FIFA could end up banning US soccer. Could you imagine if that happened to England or Germany?

That's not going to happen, because money talks, and the US broadcasters pay huge amount of money for the broadcast rights to the World Cup.

Besides, FIFA banning US soccer would be seen as a retaliation, and that will definitely not site well with many other sports body.

Zz.
 
  • #7
Who's who in US crosshairs in FIFA corruption probe
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/whos-us-crosshairs-fifa-corruption-probe-153504699--sow.html

The new Attorney General of the United States, Loretta Lynch, was the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. While US Attorney in NY, she began the corruption investigation of FIFA officers and staff. I heard her announce the indictment. She mentioned that the officers have come to NY City, where they apparently accepted money and used US banks to facilitate illegal activities.

One US representative had pleaded guilty to 10 counts -
CHARLES BLAZER (US, 70): Former CONCACAF general secretary and a former FIFA executive committee member waived indictment and pleaded guilty to a 10-count information charging him with racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, income tax evasion and failure to file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). Forfeited over $1.9 million at the time of his plea.
It has been speculated that he gave testimony against others and was apparently an FBI informant.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/s...rruption-charges-blatter-isnt-among-them.html

http://www.businessinsider.com/chuck-blazer-reportedly-informed-fbi-in-fifa-investigation-2015-5

FIFA indictment: Seedy inner workings and how one bribe led to the next
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/fifa-i...-how-one-bribe-led-to-the-next-224541176.htmlMeanwhile -
UEFA Says It Won’t Boycott Vote Expected to Re-Elect Sepp Blatter as FIFA President
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/29/sports/soccer/sepp-blatter-fifa-corruption-soccer.html

Vladimir Putin Denounces U.S. Over FIFA Arrests
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/29/sports/vladimir-putin-fifa-corruption-soccer.html
 
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  • #8
Perhaps a bigger scandal - Chart Shows the Staggering Human Cost of Staging a World Cup in Qatar
http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2015/05/chart-fifa-deaths-qatar-move-it-to-the-united-states
Since 2010, more than 1,200 migrant workers have died in Qatar under hazardous working conditions, and a 2013 Guardian investigation found that at least 4,000 total are projected to die before the 2022 World Cup even starts. And as we reported yesterday, Nepali workers weren't even allowed to return home after the country's recent devastating earthquake.

Olympics to Crack Down on Human Rights Abuses…After 2022 (it's not FIFA, but is it puts the FIFA World Cup in perspective)
http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-me...ittee-human-rights-clause-host-city-contracts
Worden hopes the IOC's action will be adopted by organizers of other mega-sporting events at risk of mishandling human rights, such as FIFA. Sharan Burrow, the general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, estimates in an ESPN documentary that, at current rates, 4,000 people will die in preparation of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
 
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Just so that we are clear, 1200 workers have died in Qatar in total, over the last two years. The estimate of 4000 is an estimate of the number of workers in Qatar who will die by 2022 - irrespective of the World Cup. It is not a statement about how many will die working on infrastructure related to the World Cup. The original article that MoJo cribbed it from makes this clear. Mother Jones in fact altered the infographic, replacing "Migrant worker deaths since Dec. 2010" with "2022 World Cup (so far)"

This is something I strongly dislike about Mother Jones. I agree with them - migrant worker conditions in the Gulf States are appalling. But the case against this stands on its own, without having to mislead. OK, lie. They knew what they wrote was false when they altered the infographic. But we can't let honesty stand in the way of Progress, can we?
 
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Greg Bernhardt said:
Rumor has it that he's going to pull a Putin and still have a role in FIFA and a role in deciding the next president.
I guess that means that John Oliver doesn't have to wear gold shoes, eat MacDonald's dollar items, or drink Budweiser.

In the Guardian
Sepp Blatter to resign as Fifa president – live updates
http://www.theguardian.com/football...conference-amid-latest-corruption-claims-live
 
  • #16
Astronuc said:
Perhaps a bigger scandal - Chart Shows the Staggering Human Cost of Staging a World Cup in Qatar
http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2015/05/chart-fifa-deaths-qatar-move-it-to-the-united-statesOlympics to Crack Down on Human Rights Abuses…After 2022 (it's not FIFA, but is it puts the FIFA World Cup in perspective)
http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-me...ittee-human-rights-clause-host-city-contracts
[sarcasm] But it's part of their culture! We must be understanding! [/sarcasm]More seriously though I'm wondering how many officials, both in FIFA and various governments will get snagged by the corruption scandal. I suspect Blatter's resignation is only just the start.
 
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Interpol issues 'red notice' for 6 linked to FIFA probe
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/interpol-issues-red-notice-6-linked-fifa-probe-083452962--sow.html
 
  • #18
How it all started 15 years ago.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...d-the-fifa-scandal-that-toppled-sepp-blatter/

So the Scotsman decided to ambush one of Blatter’s first news conferences after being reelected in 2002. “I went to the press conference there in their Zurich headquarters,” he said. “Sloping all up the walls on either side was the employees, the robots all in their FIFA blazers with robotic faces, nothing to say, just lining the walls. So I said, ‘Right, they’re the ones I want. I’ve got to get the message to them that I’m here. I’ll cross the road for a fight. I want it. I’m looking for it.'”

If Blatter’s downfall can be traced to a single moment, it is probably the one that came next. When the FIFA president finished his speech, Jennings grabbed the microphone and blurted out a deliberately outrageous question.

“I’m surrounded by all these terribly posh reporters in suits and silk ties and buttoned up shirts, for God’s sake,” he remembered. “And here’s me in me hiking gear. I get the mike and I said, ‘Herr Blatter, have you ever taken a bribe?'”
 
  • #19
Man who led IOC scandal probe: 'It may be too late for FIFA'
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/man-led-ioc-scandal-probe-may-too-fifa-134649509--spt.html [Broken]

"It's a complete and utter mess," senior IOC member Dick Pound told The Associated Press. "It may be too late."
 
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  • #20
will they actually look at the IOC with the same eyes? if any other organisation was as corrupt as FIFA the IOC is it. although they have people better at hiding it.
 

1. What is "FIFA's Epilogue" and why is it making headlines?

"FIFA's Epilogue" refers to the recent arrests of several top officials of the global soccer organization, FIFA, in both the US and Switzerland on charges of corruption. This has caused international shock and uproar, as FIFA is responsible for organizing the World Cup, one of the biggest and most popular sporting events in the world.

2. What specific charges have been brought against the FIFA officials?

The US Department of Justice has charged the officials with a variety of corruption-related crimes, including racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering. The Swiss Attorney General's office is also investigating the officials on charges of criminal mismanagement and money laundering.

3. How did this corruption in FIFA come to light?

The investigation into FIFA corruption began in 2010, when allegations of bribery and corruption in the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups surfaced. This led to a years-long investigation by the US Department of Justice, with the help of a former FIFA official turned whistleblower, which ultimately resulted in the recent arrests.

4. What are the potential consequences for FIFA and the officials involved?

If convicted, the officials could face significant prison sentences and hefty fines. Additionally, FIFA could also face severe consequences, such as losing its nonprofit status and potentially being banned from hosting future World Cups.

5. How will these arrests impact global soccer and the upcoming World Cups?

The arrests have already caused chaos and uncertainty in the world of soccer. Many are calling for major reforms within FIFA to prevent future corruption, and there are concerns that the 2018 and 2022 World Cups may be in jeopardy. Sponsors and broadcasters are also reevaluating their partnerships with FIFA in light of these events.

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