This week’s announcement that Mohammad Bin Hamman had been found guilty of corruption by FIFA probably raised few eyebrows.
His life ban sounded dramatic and will certainly be used by FIFA President Sepp Blatter as proof that his commitment to weeding corruption and unethical behaviour from the game’s governing body is well on track.
A battle-weary and cynical football world would probably not agree with him.
Case in point: Jack Warner, the former CONCACAF president and FIFA vice-president, resigned his position and was therefore spared an investigation when the organisation decided to drop charges against him.
By that logic, if the chairman of Westpac (or insert any big company of your choice) stood accused of shoring up his/her position by spreading the green stuff, but when the heat got too much, fell on their sword, would that be the end of the matter?
The fall of both Bin Hamman and Warner have removed the two biggest threats to Sepp Blatter’s ongoing Presidency and for that reason alone, the suspicion of self-interest has raised its ugly head all over again.
The beautiful game has some ugly chiefs.
Whether Bin Hamman and Warner deserve their fates is largely immaterial in the context of the game at large.
The investigations centred on bribery attempts to shore up support for the FIFA presidency and in the larger scheme of things, it makes little difference to the millions of fans and players around the world who the President is.
Who hosts the World Cup on the other hand, is of far greater importance.
Bin Hamman’s legal team have accused FIFA of finding the former AFC President guilty based on “circumstantial evidence.”
But surely the more pressing question is, how do you separate Bin Hamman and corruption from his role in helping Qatar land the 2022 World Cup?
The world football community would be less cynical of this so-called “clean-up” if a thorough investigation was launched into the outcome of the December 2010 twin World Cup bids that have caused so much of the corruption allegations.
It’s one thing for Blatter to successfully clear the decks for his own benefit. But World Cup hosting rights do resonate with fans around the world and circumstantial or not, there are huge questions over the awarding of the 2022 and to a lesser extent, the 2018 tournaments.
If those questions are not answered, FIFA’s reputation will never improve and Blatter will simply continue to look like another in a long line of power-hungry men motivated by self-interest, no matter how much they try to convince the world’s biggest fan base otherwise.
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The Crowd Says (31) | Page 1 of Comments
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- football, Mohammed bin Hammam, Sepp Blatter
July 28th 2011 @ 9:49am
Midfielder said | July 28th 2011 @ 9:49am | Report comment
Agree ….
July 28th 2011 @ 10:03am
ali said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:03am | Report comment
The same voting process occured for 2018, 2022, the same voting procedure occured for when germany won 2006, and for when korea/japan won 2002.
so what do you have? fifa do a whole enquiry into the voting ballets for all these world cups?
Franz Beckenbauer and Chuck Blazer both quotes saying that the voting ballet went well and accordingly, ok but the process stinks. And its all fifa’s fault, having 24 men decide the fate of the world cup is ludricrious, for example: Michele Platini voted for Qatar becasue his president asked him to, because there was a trade deal in place between the countries.
they also sponsored african conventions, oil and gas deals with countries and have influenced voting, all within the rules. the rules that fifa need to change for future world cups.
so now that everyones witnessed how world cups are given, only now does everyone want change, why wasnt this attentioned before? especially after the ludricrious decision in 2006, germany 12, sth africa 11, the Scotsman fifa exec representing Oceania abstained from voting because he only wanted to vote for England who were knocked out in the previous round.
One man single handedly gifting germany the world cup. what a joke, where are the cries about that decision and why wasnt the voting system changed then?
now that everyone is unhappy about Qatar winning the world cup everyones crying and calling it foul play, what need did Qatar have to bribe fifa execs when it bought votes within the rules of the game set out by fifa.
Blame fifa, but dont punish Qatar for putting all its resources and energy into trying to win the biggest sporting prize in the world.
July 28th 2011 @ 11:30am
apaway said | July 28th 2011 @ 11:30am | Report comment
I am blaming FIFA.
July 29th 2011 @ 12:29pm
con said | July 29th 2011 @ 12:29pm | Report comment
lets be serious man, they probably did bribe officials ALOT. im not agaisnt the idea of it being in qatar, it will probably be really interesting to visit the mid-east, but it wasnt won fairly. i just hope the cut all the anti-semitism, restrictions on drinking or women having to be covered to the majority of people can enjoy themselves
July 28th 2011 @ 10:11am
ali said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:11am | Report comment
“”"”"It’s one thing for Blatter to successfully clear the decks for his own benefit. But World Cup hosting rights do resonate with fans around the world and circumstantial or not, there are huge questions over the awarding of the 2022 and to a lesser extent, the 2018 tournaments.”"”"
and to a lesser extent 2018??? excuse me author what is the difference between 2018, 2022???? England by far had the best bid ever in the history of world cup bidding, thoroughly deserved the 2018 world cup. How did they only get 1 vote (im not including Geoff thompsons vote)
Australia is also not the most attractive option also is it, the worst timezone and furtherst distance for america’s/europe, and the least profitable out of all the nine bidders according to official fifa reports.
Give the arab world a chance for f**ks sake! its hot in every country there in june july august so what difference does it make if they host it in 2022 or 2042. the heat is always going to be an issue no matter which arab country its given to.
July 28th 2011 @ 10:30am
nordozzz said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:30am | Report comment
good points … the Arab world deserves a shot too. People conveniently talk down Qatar as a tiny undeserving nation, forgetting it was always billed as an event for the region … Khilafah 2022
… i hope they move it to January, other confederations deal with mid-season breaks, won’t hurt UEFA to as well.
July 28th 2011 @ 11:30am
apaway said | July 28th 2011 @ 11:30am | Report comment
Ali
The article suggests that FIFA investigate the process which led to Qatar being awarded the World Cup in 2022. It doesn’t mention heat or Australia, just the process and whether a man found guilty of corruption could have played a role in a tainted process.
I said “To a lesser extent” in relation to the 2018 announcement because Bin Hamman was not directly linked to that bid.
July 28th 2011 @ 10:12am
Fussball ist unser leben said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:12am | Report comment
Nice article apaway, but I agree with ali – the only reason we’re talking about this now is b/c the whinging nations: England, USA and, the media in Australia (I don’t think I’ve heard any negative comments about FIFA from the FFA) are upset b/c they didn’t win the hosting rights to the WC.
You made an interesting comment about Jack Warner’s resigning and, therefore, avoiding investigation and sanctions and asked would this happen in the corporate world.
I would answer “yes” – unless there is some criminal or civil action that remains, by simply resigning from a position, a person can avoid internal investigations for improper behaviour.
For instance, this has happened several times in the health professions. I’ve read at least 2 cases of health practitioners – one a Dental Practitioner and one a Medical Practitioner – in Victoria cancelling their registration (licence) to practice when faced with an investigation into their conduct by their respective Registration Boards (Licencing Authorities).
By doing so, they removed themselves from the jurisdiction of the Dental and Medical Registration Boards and avoided an investigation into professional misconduct or unprofessional conduct. The government has now amended the legislation to ensure that investigations can continue for any event that occurred when a health practitioner was registered.
July 28th 2011 @ 11:09am
dasilva said | July 28th 2011 @ 11:09am | Report comment
I don’t think it is solely sour grape
we have the figurehead of Qatar guilty of offering bribes for the presidential bid.
Now although there is doubt whether he is truly is guilty as he is appealing the sentence.
However, if we accept that verdict is the truth then it throw doubts over the legitimacy of the Qatar bid as we have a person who was basically the figurehead of the Qatar bid who was guilty of corruption. Generally when a person in a company is guilty of serious corruption (serious enough to get a life ban and dismissal from the company), generally people will then investigate all of his activity in the company to see what else the person is up with.
Now it is possible for BH to bribe in the president election but be innocent in the World Cup bid but it is very understandable for people to be cynical about it especially the short time period between the World Cup bid and the presidential election.
July 28th 2011 @ 11:33am
apaway said | July 28th 2011 @ 11:33am | Report comment
Thanks DaSilva
There will always be an allegation of “sour grapes” when writing an article dealing with the 2022 bid. For the record, there were 4 countries who missed out on the 2022 World Cup, not just one.
July 28th 2011 @ 11:42am
Fussball ist unser leben said | July 28th 2011 @ 11:42am | Report comment
apaway
That’s a very important point about 4 countries missing out – I haven’t heard any outrage from the Japanese or South Koreans and, as I pointed out, it’s only the media not the FFA who are outraged in Australia. Are the Japanese & Sth Koreans, perhaps, more mature in their understanding of how global deals are done and global contracts are awarded?
Similarly, from those who missed WC2018 I don’t hear any cries of “we wuz robbed” from the Spanish, Portuguese, Belgians or Dutch .. only the English are whinging (ok, let’s steer clear of stereotyping certain cultures
)
July 28th 2011 @ 12:17pm
apaway said | July 28th 2011 @ 12:17pm | Report comment
Fussball
I am not particularly adept at embedding links to articles (something to do with a lack of skill and a computer system which filters too much!) However, a quick google search gave me a lot of hits from both US and Japanese media expressing sentiments from disappointment to outrage that they had been passed over in favour of Qatar.
To reiterate; this article is not about who DIDN’T win the bid. It is about FIFA’s “selective” investigation into Bin Hamman’s activities. It serves Blatter well to have Bin Hamman removed from FIFA. It doesn’t serve him well to have the World Cup bidding process investigated.
July 28th 2011 @ 12:22pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | July 28th 2011 @ 12:22pm | Report comment
Thanks, apaway – I agree that the FIFA model is not perfect and, if we can improve transparency and fairness with certain major decisions – I’m all for it.
PS: Love the way you think up the titles to your articles … a definite sign of a very nimble mind!
July 28th 2011 @ 12:20pm
dasilva said | July 28th 2011 @ 12:20pm | Report comment
I thinkI remeber hearing that a German newspaper after the World Cup 2018/2022 was decided called for Blatter to resign and they weren’t even involved in the bid.
July 28th 2011 @ 12:24pm
AGO74 said | July 28th 2011 @ 12:24pm | Report comment
We hear more from the British and American media because they tend to have a more of a presence in an English-speaking nation than the media of a non-English speaking nation.
Do you have anything to support your statement that the people and media of these more mature natiaons agree with what goes on in FIFA?
July 28th 2011 @ 12:42pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | July 28th 2011 @ 12:42pm | Report comment
Yup … the vote at the last FIFA Congress.
In spite of all of England’s whinging, 186 (out of 208) congress delegates said yes to Sepp Blatter as the president of FIFA during the voting on the 1st of June.
When England asked for support to delay the Fifa presidential election, 172 opposed; only 17 came out in favour. That’s the electoral equivalent of a 10-1 defeat – a pretty resounding … “stop your whinging” from the rest of the world.
I thought FIFA’s senior vice-president, Julio Grondona, summed it up beautifully when he said:
“We always have attacks from England which are mostly lies with the support of journalism which is more busy lying than telling the truth (note: this was BEFORE the News of the World scandal exposed the grubbiness of the English print media).
To present such a project as David Bernstein presented is like shooting a penalty because it cannot be always from the same place that the insults and problems come from. (note: a beautiful metaphor to highlight the ineptitude of England’s penalty taking, which leads to regular FAILURE at major tournaments)
I see it at every Congress. They have specific privileges with four countries having one vice-president. … we have seen the World Cup go around the world, to South America and Africa and it looks like this country does not like it.
It looks like England is always complaining so please I say will you leave the FIFA family alone, and when you speak, speak with truth.”
Yes, I voted for Qatar, because a vote for the US would be like a vote for England, and that is not possible.” (Note: I think this final remark is very interesting – I think certain countries (UK & USA in particular, perhaps, Australia) underestimate just how much the poorer nations of the world tolerates, but despises, them.
Source: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/925074/fifa-senior-vice-president-julio-grondona-blasts-england?cc=3436
July 28th 2011 @ 1:11pm
AGO74 said | July 28th 2011 @ 1:11pm | Report comment
Fuss,
1)You are quoting Julio Grondona. This is the man who yesterday orchestrate the restructure of the Argentine top flight from 20 to 38 teams which coincidentally has occurred only a matter of weeks after one of the big 2 in River Plate was relegated. This will effecitively re-promote River to the top flight. Please.
2) You are quoting a FIFA member who you could reasonably argue benefits from the status quo that exists at FIFA.
3) I didn’t ask for FIFA opinions. I asked for opinions of the more mature Korean, Japnese, Dutch etc media to whom you refer and whom you imply are accepting of what goes on in Zurich.
July 28th 2011 @ 1:21pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | July 28th 2011 @ 1:21pm | Report comment
Fair points, AGO74.
Although, in relation to the restructuring of the Argentina’s domestic leagues, did Julio Grondona have any role? Perhaps, he did or, perhaps, the league is run independently as the EPL?
Whilst I don’t read every newspaper in the world, I do have a glance at diverse English news services from various countries. I haven’t notice ANY groundswell of anti-FIFA rhetoric as I’ve noticed in the print media of England, Australia & USA.
If you come across any negative press from o/s please let me know.
July 28th 2011 @ 10:56am
nickp91 said | July 28th 2011 @ 10:56am | Report comment
I hope that FIFA will think and vote again.
July 28th 2011 @ 12:19pm
Ian Whitchurch said | July 28th 2011 @ 12:19pm | Report comment
One of the keys to understanding this is that Fussball is perfectly alright with corruption and corrupt conduct.
July 28th 2011 @ 12:54pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | July 28th 2011 @ 12:54pm | Report comment
I don’t condone corruption but I try not to be a hypocrite. Corruption is everywhere … yes, even in Australia where knowing the right people and providing the right privileges can result in boderline projects being approved; or will result in a winning contract; or, the job ahead of your competitors.
It’s naive and hypocritical for Aussies to think our society has no corruption.
So, if we accept that corruption exists, then to fight corruption we can look to the master of fighting battles, Sun Tzu, who in The Art of War (Chapter III, Attack by Stratagem) simply observed:
18. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.
July 28th 2011 @ 1:07pm
Ian Whitchurch said | July 28th 2011 @ 1:07pm | Report comment
Fussball,
You can lie to the caucus, and you can lie to the press, but never ever ever lie to yourself.
A World Cup gets awarded in a process that is not only known to be corrupt, but the head of football in the country awarded is found to be corrupt.
You, on the other hand both say “I don’t condone corruption but I try not to be a hypocrite” and “That’s a very important point about 4 countries missing out – I haven’t heard any outrage from the Japanese or South Koreans and, as I pointed out, it’s only the media not the FFA who are outraged in Australia. Are the Japanese & Sth Koreans, perhaps, more mature in their understanding of how global deals are done and global contracts are awarded?”
When we say “how global deals are done”, you of course mean “corruptly, involving bribes and side-payments”.
July 28th 2011 @ 1:57pm
apaway said | July 28th 2011 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
I wrote an article and someone quoted Sun Tzu in response.
Thank you Fuss, you’ve made my day!
July 28th 2011 @ 2:53pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | July 28th 2011 @ 2:53pm | Report comment
apaway … any time – I’ve always enjoyed “the assist” more than scoring (on the pitch, that is!)
July 28th 2011 @ 12:42pm
Futbanous said | July 28th 2011 @ 12:42pm | Report comment
In the following article Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has plenty to say about FIFA.
“I don’t accept any longer that we [should be] guided by people who are not serious and clean,” he told the Guardian.
“Now is the moment to intervene. Because knowing something is wrong is an obligation to change.”
Rummenigge believes clubs around the world, both large and small, are in favour of change.
“It’s not just the top clubs, it’s all the clubs,” he said.
“Sepp Blatter is saying [that he is cleaning up] but the fact that no one believes him tells you everything you need to know.
“I’m not optimistic because they believe the system is working perfectly as it is. It’s a money machine, World Cup after World Cup. And for them, that’s more important than serious and clean governance.”
One wonders how much truth is in the last sentence. Pulling in the moolah can lead to selective blindness.
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/210344,rummenigge-calls-for-fifa-reform.aspx
July 28th 2011 @ 1:01pm
nordozzz said | July 28th 2011 @ 1:01pm | Report comment
i think there’s an element of opportunism there too … wants action on the basis of media reaction rather than waiting for full facts to emerge … and note the quote below …
[He] asked the footballing authorities “to recognise that it’s time for democracy, transparency and the right balance in the football family”.
so the “right balance” in the football family in the same sentence as calling for democracy seems self-serving somewhat.
July 28th 2011 @ 2:15pm
Futbanous said | July 28th 2011 @ 2:15pm | Report comment
What will be interesting nordozzz over the coming months is how this develops. Will more Karl-Heinz’s come out of the woodwork or will it slowly fade away.
As you indicate theres other heavyweights in World Football aside from FIFA with large vested interests. Some of those interests involve big moolah.
Personally I’m tipping the first scenario.
If so very interesting times ahead.
July 28th 2011 @ 2:29pm
nordozzz said | July 28th 2011 @ 2:29pm | Report comment
indeedy … the line between business deals and “corruption” is a blurred one as Fuss was pointing out above. I find it hard to see how adding the clubs into the mix at FIFA will make it any less messy a process.
In some sense i believe the rotation policy for hosting world cups was not such a bad thing.
Maybe a version of this is one answer … break the world up into three Zones … Euro/Africa, Asia, Americas … and rotate between those, would work well for the broadcasters going on time zones. They are the ones pumping the $$$ in after all.
Then allow bidding (and voting) only within those zones. Would cut down the number of elements that could vote for any one tournament. So only FAs from within that area gets a say. Localises the process which would at least make it less of a bunfight.
July 28th 2011 @ 3:34pm
Rosco said | July 28th 2011 @ 3:34pm | Report comment
Once a crook.. always a crook.. i say.. Does anyone really think that MHB did everthing by the book for world cup bid. Come on.. Australia put in 40 mill plus into their bid ( that big bickies.. which could of been pumped into A league.. i know its debateble wether the government would of given us the $ for the Aleague).. Australia was an investor into WC and we deserve to be on a level playing field… and so does every other country which was involved in the world cup bid.
The ethics committee should be told by FIFA to investigate both 2018 and 2022 bids.. i know it won’t happen as there is to many skeltons in the closet.. can you imagine the whole FIFA board may be found to be corrupt.
Which organistion in the world .. would allow this occur and not investigate it .. what a joke .. its like saying rape, steal and pillage .. and all you have to do to get away with it .. is just resign before the investigation occurs… are you for real.
July 28th 2011 @ 9:47pm
Roarchild said | July 28th 2011 @ 9:47pm | Report comment
The more mature Korean media????? They were a bit miffed but as long as Japan didn’t get it they were ok with the result. They would have been more outraged had their campaign legacy been something other than a giant slush fund similar to the goal project in it’s ability to buy votes.
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July 29th 2011 @ 8:22am
Bondy said | July 29th 2011 @ 8:22am | Report comment
Good read apaway .
I like your articles .