R.I.P. FIFA

At long last someone has actually done something about the appalling corruption in FIFA, the ruling body for worldwide football.

That the 'someone' has been the authorities in the United States might seem a bit strange, but apparently it's all about bribes which involved amounts in US dollars, making the corruption actionable under US law. The arrests of 7 senior FIFA officials and indictment of 14 in total demonstrates just how widespread the corruption has been, certainly in recent years and probably for decades. Investigations into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 world cup competitions are also continuing, suggesting the possibility that either or both of these tournaments may be moved from their current hosts, Qatar and Russia.

Somehow, Sepp Blatter, the long time President of FIFA, has avoided, so far at least, being either arrested or indicted. However, that he has been in charge of this rotten organisation for 17 years suggests that he either knew about the corrupt practices of his colleagues but did nothing, or that, if he didn't know, he is incompetent. Either way he must now resign rather than insist on carrying on in his attempt to win a fifth term as President in an election to be held on Friday 29th May. Numerous voices are being raised against him and sponsors are voicing their concerns, and FIFA, itself, is now tottering on the brink of the abyss.

The awarding of the 2018 world cup to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar must be reviewed, though by whom is another matter, and it is time for UEFA to stop shilly-shallying. Whatever Blatter does, FIFA is, surely, now a dead duck. It is so discredited that its position at the head of world football must end.

IS QATAR WORLD CUP DEAD ?

No one in their right mind can surely have thought that the award of the 2022 football World Cup to the stupidly hot and incredibly minor country of Qatar was anything but suspicious. The allegations now published by the Sunday Times, to the effect that large bribes were paid by the Qatari representative to FIFA in order to secure the tournament for that country, add fuel to the already lively flames.

Whether or not there has been corruption, the stink is there. The evidence is mounting that there may well be more than simple stink. There is also the lunacy of having to play a World Cup in the middle of most European domestic seasons as that is the only time when temperatures in Qatar are even close to what might be considered reasonable for running around and kicking a ball.

Qatar never should have been awarded the tournament. However, there now has to be a worry that the latest revelations are part of an orchestrated scheme to have it taken away from them. While this seems unlikely, whether or not it is, the allegations have to be investigated; regardless of the outcome, the tournament should be moved and Sepp Blatter, the longstanding boss of FIFA must finally go. His number is up.