# Can someone explain to me this FIFA thingy? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 28, 2015, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076 "2015-05-28T22:06:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/101 "2015-06-01T16:03:57Z")
This is a really good article on why Africa tends to support Blatter (and it isn’t the hookers and blow): > **[Africa, Blatter's Africa](http://www.colinudoh.com/2015/05/africa-blatter-africa.html)** > > This turf, and the Sudan FA HQ in the background were funded with FIFA Goal Project aid Half the world (read mostly Europe and USA) appear t... > [@](#): > > The African vote is tight. It is united. It is Blatter’s. This is less about corruption, and more about delivery. And loyalty. > > Africa does not trust Europe. And until Europe, or whichever candidate its flavour of the month is, shows concrete evidence that Africa’s interest will be given the same seat at the table, status quo will remain. The rest of the article details how Blatter continued Havelange’s policy to expand FIFA from just a European old boy’s club and spread the benefits African and Asian countries. And, of course, Blatter not only promised an African World Cup - he delivered it. That South African WC was worth it’s weight in votes. This stuff NEEDS to be taken into account when determining how to get rid of Sepp. Simply saying, well it’s just bribes for hookers and blow trivializes the entire thing - and falls right into what Sepp wants you to believe is happening, btw. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/102 "2015-06-01T16:09:51Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Ha. Ha.Haha.Hahahaaaaaaa > These would be the same Europeans [who are deep](http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/05/michel-platini-conspirators-2022-world-cup-bid-uefa) in bed with [Gulf Poetentates](http://www.emirates247.com/business/gulf-money-fans-make-football-clubs-recession-proof-2012-02-16-1.443373)and [Far Eastern businessmen?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Tan). > > [The ones who](http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/05/michel-platini-conspirators-2022-world-cup-bid-uefa) supported [Qatar’s WC bi](http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/20/michel-platini-politics-qatar-2022-world-cup)d (unlike Blatter who voted for the US)? Whose clubs [are such eye watering financial mismagemenst](http://www.businessinsider.com/twenty-two-spanish-soccer-clubs-have-entered-bankruptcy-protection-2011-7)stories, that the make the 2008 Bankers look honest? > > Which is why this whole process is a farce. They have arrested small fry. They are going after alleged bribery for Qatar 2022… when they are not going to find anything of significance, because the organizers were not stupid enough to offer them outright. When the actual “bribes” were paid years ago, when the Qatari royals (and their GCC buddies) started pouring in free money in the Euro leagues. A fact which precisely no one is touching because the guys yelling for reform do not want that tap shut off. > > Of course this process manages to mollify the idiots. “Yessir, corruption is bad, look at what we are doing, zyz, must go, the least likley corrupt bit of Qatar’s bid must be investigated”. Those are some really fantastic links, the Guardian ones. I think they indicate that looking for UEFA to be a white horse here is just a ridiculous notion. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/103 "2015-06-01T19:15:17Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > Those are some really fantastic links, the Guardian ones. I think they indicate that looking for UEFA to be a white horse here is just a ridiculous notion. I’m familiar with “white knight,” but what is a “white horse”? ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/104 "2015-06-01T19:50:44Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > Those are some really fantastic links, the Guardian ones. I think they indicate that looking for UEFA to be a white horse here is just a ridiculous notion. I dont think many are looking at UEFA this way. Some of the links that you responded too were legitimate criticisms of UEFA and European football; some of them were nonsense. Does the state of Spanish club football really have anything to do with this issue? The fact that European clubs do business with Arabs, oil money and wealthy Asians is also of little concern; it’s when this money is corrupting that it should be a concern. I also believe European clubs and officials are more likely to get caught. We have a relatively free press here, along with a relatively incorrupt judiciary. European corruption will more likely be dealt with by the national powers that be than those in developing countries. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/105 "2015-06-01T20:55:58Z")
As I understand this FIFA corruption scandal, Sepp Blatter has NOT been charged with being part of any fraud, bribery, or kickback schemes. I understand that many people do not like Blatter but it doesn’t appear that he had done anything illegal. At least, not in the U.S., or Switzerland. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/106 "2015-06-01T20:58:18Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](#): > > The fact that European clubs do business with Arabs, oil money and wealthy Asians is also of little concern; it’s when this money is corrupting that it should be a concern. What about when it seems that European football associations were the main backing votes on the executive committee to award the 2022 WC to Qatar? It seems that business with Arabs and oil money becomes far more interesting, does it not? ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/107 "2015-06-01T21:26:57Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > As I understand this FIFA corruption scandal, Sepp Blatter has NOT been charged with being part of any fraud, bribery, or kickback schemes. > > I understand that many people do not like Blatter but it doesn’t appear that he had done anything illegal. At least, not in the U.S., or Switzerland. While your post definitely has comedic content as is, may I make a couple minor suggestions to bring it more into line with sane opinions? Simply insert “yet” in the first sentence (after “NOT” or “charged”, your choice), and “authorities do no yet have all the evidence they’d like to prove that” (between “appear” and “had”). (Maybe someone could do a sit-com about a Blatter that is somehow unaware and disapproving of the massive corruption at FIFA? A Clouseau-esque character, continually puzzled by the strange votes of the executive council, curious -but not to the point of asking – about all the strange comings and goings by mysterious middlemen, and bemused by the bags of cash and gold bricks lying around FIFA offices. ) ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/108 "2015-06-01T21:31:04Z")
Now this is the Daily Mail, so take that into account, but it seems to indicate that France and Spain were among the 18 UEFA countries who voted for Sepp Blatter: > **[UEFA nations betrayed pro-reform mandate to oust Sepp Blatter](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3104028/UEFA-nations-betrayed-pro-reform-mandate-oust-Sepp-Blatter-FIFA-president.html)** > > A string of European countries including France, Spain and Russia betrayed a supposedly pro-reform mandate to kick Sepp Blatter out of FIFA, the Mail on Sunday can reveal. The Mail indicates that it may be due to substantial investments Qataris have made in both those countries. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/109 "2015-06-01T21:41:21Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I’m familiar with “white knight,” but what is a “white horse”? A reference to the [1923 F.A. Cup Final](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UORQK_hRlhM) maybe? ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/110 "2015-06-01T21:44:08Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I’m familiar with “white knight,” but what is a “white horse”? I meant it in this fashion: > **[White horses in mythology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_horse_(mythology))** > > White horses have a special significance in the mythologies of cultures around the world. They are often associated with the sun chariot, with warrior-heroes, with fertility (in both mare and stallion manifestations), or with an end-of-time saviour, but other interpretations exist as well. Both truly white horses and the more common grey horses, with completely white hair coats, were identified as "white" by various religious and cultural traditions. > From earliest times, white horses have bee... > [@](#): > > As a rare or distinguished symbol, a white horse typically bears the hero- or god-figure in ceremonial roles or in triumph over negative forces. > [@](#): > > In more than one tradition, the white horse carries patron saints or the world saviour in the end times (as in Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam) ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/111 "2015-06-01T22:19:22Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > While your post definitely has comedic content as is, may I make a couple minor suggestions to bring it more into line with sane opinions? Simply insert “yet” in the first sentence (after “NOT” or “charged”, your choice), and “authorities do no yet have all the evidence they’d like to prove that” (between “appear” and “had”). (post shortened) Pointing fingers at Sepp Blatter and saying, “Bad man”, is not going to put Blatter in prison. Or cause him to step down. As I understand it, the U.S. has been investigation FIFA for several years. Loretta Lynch has been investigating FIFA for several years. You can add the word “yet” if you think it makes your opinion sound sane (more sane?). I believe my post correctly stated the current situation. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/112 "2015-06-01T22:34:15Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > \*\*What about when it seems that European football associations were the main backing votes on the executive committee to award the 2022 WC to Qatar? \*\*It seems that business with Arabs and oil money becomes far more interesting, does it not? Do you have any evidence of this? Im not saying you are wrong but a link to who voted for Qatar would be welcome. So far I know of only Platini(himself a dodgy shitebag). ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/113 "2015-06-02T01:18:44Z")
John Oliver: FIFA II: He will even drink a Bud Lime if the sponsors tell FIFA to drop Blatter? :eek: :D ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/114 "2015-06-02T04:16:24Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](#): > > Do you have any evidence of this? Im not saying you are wrong but a link to who voted for Qatar would be welcome. So far I know of only Platini(himself a dodgy shitebag). In a link in **AK84** ’s post: > **[Michel Platini admits politics played part in Qatar 2022 World Cup win](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/20/michel-platini-politics-qatar-2022-world-cup)** > > Michel Platini, the Uefa president, has gently mocked the Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, for his remarks about the vote on the 2022 World Cup > [@](#): > > Platini sardonically added: "It’s new, apparently. It was said that Europeans voted for Qatar but Qatar got 14 votes. We’re only eight. If you subtract eight from 14 you get six left over. FWIW, Europe has the highest representation in the executive committee by quite a few. Though I guess Platini could be saying even if all 8 of Europe voted for Qatar, there were 6 others who also voted for Qatar (as if that would have excused anything). Though Platini does acknowledge, but does not refute, the general speculation that Europe was the one that voted for Qatar. So maybe not a smoking gun, but a good amount of smoke. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/115 "2015-06-02T04:18:08Z")
[Blatter’s right-hand man behind $10M payment in FIFA corruption probe: report](http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/blatter-s-right-hand-man-behind-10m-payment-in-fifa-corruption-probe-report-1.2401845) > [@](#): > > A report says the high-ranking FIFA official who allegedly made a $10-million payment central to a U.S. probe into soccer corruption is believed to be Sepp Blatter’s right-hand man, Jerome Valcke. > > The New York Times reported late Monday that American law enforcement officials believe Valcke, FIFA’s secretary general, transferred the money in 2008 to accounts controlled by Jack Warner, the former CONCACAF president and FIFA vice-president who faces corruption charges in the U.S. The report cited unidentified law enforcement officials. > > American investigators believe the money was paid as a bribe in exchange for Warner and others voting to give the 2010 World Cup to South Africa. If true, the investigation is starting to get even closer to Blatter. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/116 "2015-06-02T10:24:12Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > In a link in **AK84** ’s post: > > [Michel Platini admits politics played part in Qatar 2022 World Cup win | World Cup 2022 | The Guardian](http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/20/michel-platini-politics-qatar-2022-world-cup) > FWIW, Europe has the highest representation in the executive committee by quite a few. > > Though I guess Platini could be saying even if all 8 of Europe voted for Qatar, there were 6 others who also voted for Qatar (as if that would have excused anything). Though Platini does acknowledge, but does not refute, the general speculation that Europe was the one that voted for Qatar. So maybe not a smoking gun, but a good amount of smoke. Fair enough. But Platini here is covering his own back. We don’t actually know who voted for Qatar other than Platini himself. Im quite willing to admit Uefa are not much, if any, better than FIFA. I do however believe that corruption in Uefa is more likely to be spotlighted by the press of European countries; and by the free judiciary we have here. Finally, “politics” is slightly different than downright corruption. Though they can be very close bedfellows. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/117 "2015-06-02T14:57:58Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](#): > > I do however believe that corruption in Uefa is more likely to be spotlighted by the press of European countries; and by the free judiciary we have here. I mean, you say that, but the corruption has been going for quite a while before the US and the Swiss (which, yes, is a European country, but definitely not a football power) did their daring arrests. The UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy haven’t done anything about it for decades. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/118 "2015-06-02T15:42:58Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > I mean, you say that, but the corruption has been going for quite a while before the US and the Swiss (which, yes, is a European country, but definitely not a football power) did their daring arrests. > > The UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy haven’t done anything about it for decades. I did say Uefa corruption is more likely to be highlighted not FIFA. These arrests have so far got little to do with Uefa. The jurisdiction of these countires you mention are far more limited than the US. It’s all but impossible for these countries to act against FIFA. Plus, the charges of racism and vested interest against the US in this instance would have been far greater had any of these European countries aggressively pursued this case. ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/119 "2015-06-02T17:05:05Z")
Just out, [Blatter is quitting](http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32982449) and calling special election. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076/120 "2015-06-02T17:38:05Z")
Yay!!! Fantastic stuff! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-to-me-this-fifa-thingy/721076.md?page=7)