Football Corruption

[Woodwardfan]

The Qatar World Cup appointment is shrouded in suspicion. It was one of those football decisions that defied logic and beggared belief. As soon as the announcement was made everyone looked at each other knowingly that something was up.

There are some decisions which stink. The Tevez affair was one of those and was subsequently proved in court to be unsound. We all thought something was amiss, dodgy in fact. Nothing has been proven but would it surprise anyone if it headlined in a Sunday paper one day? I hope I live to see that headline should it happen.

We fans are at the mercy of the judgement and integrity of the authorities. With the Tevez affair the least that was wrong was judgement. I hope it was not a corrupt decision but that would be an explanation and we suffer the consequences to this day. Norwich City and Fulham also suffered similar consequences this season. The precedent was set and so Sunderland got away with the fielding of an unregistered player without points deduction. Even though it was much less a transgression than the Tevez debacle, which included repeated lies and deception, it was another clear case for points deduction which is the fate any lesser Football League side would suffer automatically. There was talk of the clubs at the bottom joining in an action, just like the 2006/7 season, but it has come to nothing as yet.

I must state I know of nothing corrupt at Premiership level in 2007, but to this day, when I hear of occurences like Qatar , I can't help but think instantly of the Tevez decision; I can't help it being an open wound after all this time. Justice was only partly served by the £24m compensation. The seemingly fireproof Scudamore and his sidekick Richards got away scott free.

 

[BerksBlade]

Remember the saying: "power corrupts..."
Hosting a World Cup or an Olympic Games is a big deal for the country concerned, so there will be all sorts of machinations going on behind the scenes. I'm sure it happens every time, it's just that Qatar is a particularly unsuitable venue, so there's more focus on it. The "bidding" processes need to be more transparent and the suits at the head of FIFA and the IOC brought to account.
The Tevez thing seems slightly different - more incompetence than corruption. The Premier League knew the situation, so why did it take months to reach a decision? Then they had the nerve to suggest it would be "too late" in the season for a points deduction.

 

[Bladesway]

The only surprise is that there is surprise.

 

[B.Lade]

I remember there being some stories on the news about designer handbags or something that the fa were giving to the fifa delegates as 'gifts' as part of the bidding process. If that sort of stuff I'd going on in the open is it any wonder more valuable 'gifts' are being offered behind closed doors?!

 

[blade too long]

yes , lets play the world cup in a country the size of Worksop , , and where its 50*c in the summer , that couldnt cope with a million visitors asthe runways inadequate, great choice

 

[LoughboroBlade]

The precedent was set and so Sunderland got away with the fielding of an unregistered player without points deduction. Even though it was much less a transgression than the Tevez debacle, which included repeated lies and deception, it was another clear case for points deduction which is the fate any lesser Football League side would suffer automatically. There was talk of the clubs at the bottom joining in an action, just like the 2006/7 season, but it has come to nothing as yet.

It would have been fascinating to see what would have happened had Sunderland stayed up by 1 point rather than 5. My understanding is that in most cases the deduction has been limited to the games affected - they only got one point in the 4 games Dong played in while ineligible. This is probably why the three clubs affected have been quiet since.

That's obviously not to say that the lack of a points deduction might have in and of itself been a boost to Sunderland at a key time of the season, in the same way it was for West Ham in 2007.

 

[vorpal blade]

When Scudamore was exposed for the sexist memos he was sending about to his mates, it exposed him as stupid. Much as I dislike the man's dealings with Wet Sham, I had never thought that of him. It then made me wonder further about his integrity....like you did Woodward Fan because we now know he miscalculates and is something of a dolt.

It was clear at the start of the Tevez shambles that they wouldn't be able to dock the Hammers points because as you allude to, BerksBlade, they left it too late to announce the verdict. This was deliberate, as I remember it, they announced about 4 or 5 weeks previously to that there would be an enquiry into the ownership but that the verdict would only be arrived at with about a week of the season to go thereby almost guaranteeing WHU wouldn't be docked points.

I agree, I can see scandalous headlines one Sunday morning in years to come but its already too late.

 

[JOEYDEE]

Can't believe that there is so many suspicious people on here ..
Corruption in our beautiful game .shame on you all,where is the proof ??????

 

[Damski]

Fuck that "too late" bullshit. Such a flimsy excuse.

 

[SwissBlade]

that couldnt cope with a million visitors asthe runways inadequate, great choice

Odd statement. It's one of the major Hubs in the world taking 12million passengers a year

 

[puppet]

My friend was headhunted to redesign the transport system there on something like a 9 year contract, makes you wonder what is in it for the qataris!

 

[Selly]

Remember the saying: "power corrupts..."
Hosting a World Cup or an Olympic Games is a big deal for the country concerned, so there will be all sorts of machinations going on behind the scenes. I'm sure it happens every time, it's just that Qatar is a particularly unsuitable venue, so there's more focus on it. The "bidding" processes need to be more transparent and the suits at the head of FIFA and the IOC brought to account.
The Tevez thing seems slightly different - more incompetence than corruption. The Premier League knew the situation, so why did it take months to reach a decision? Then they had the nerve to suggest it would be "too late" in the season for a points deduction.

When Scudamore was exposed for the sexist memos he was sending about to his mates, it exposed him as stupid. Much as I dislike the man's dealings with Wet Sham, I had never thought that of him. It then made me wonder further about his integrity....like you did Woodward Fan because we now know he miscalculates and is something of a dolt.

It was clear at the start of the Tevez shambles that they wouldn't be able to dock the Hammers points because as you allude to, BerksBlade, they left it too late to announce the verdict. This was deliberate, as I remember it, they announced about 4 or 5 weeks previously to that there would be an enquiry into the ownership but that the verdict would only be arrived at with about a week of the season to go thereby almost guaranteeing WHU wouldn't be docked points.

I agree, I can see scandalous headlines one Sunday morning in years to come but its already too late.

Just on these two points.

The premier league charged west ham in the January, and at the start of February WHU indicated they would be pleading Not Guilty to all charges. In order to give them time to prepare their defence (time which would not be needed for a guilty plea) the hearing was set for April

WHU then changed their plea THE DAY BEFORE the hearing. In most places you get a reduced sentence for and early guilty plea, in this case the opposite occurred.

 

[Dkc]

Pup - They have plenty cash, but want the prestige. They want to be seen as the top dogs in the region. Also, "soft power" - no one would dare invade a country that was hosting the World Cup.

 

[Eskimo]

I like your post Woodwardfan. You say 'We fans are at the mercy of the judgement and integrity of the authorities'

That's right of course but who judges the authorities? There are many recent examples, not just in football of governance /oversight arrangements failing or being inadequate. It makes me shudder when I hear politicians talk about cutting red tape when what we need is clearer rules, greater transparency and accountability.

 

[djbaldken]

hello Eskimo. I am your neighbour!!!! I Also inhabit Shepley. The gas board are digging up the road right outside my place now.
If your ever in the Black Bull on a Tuesday night make yourself known, Im the guy with the mike reading out the quiz.

 

[djbaldken]

And regarding the original poster. I see one of two outcomes over the Qatar corruption allegations. Bearing in mind FIFA is investigating itself!!!! The first one being; FIFA taking the stance it was an individual member making money himself from bribes. He has been sacked. It will not happen again. Move on now, nothing to see here.
The second being along the lines; Well there is momentum building to change the venue due to intense heat making matches unsafe to play in. So using an individual took bribes as a reason (excuse) FIFA can save face by having a revote for a new venue.

I will say the second option is highly unlikely. The Qatari money will be an incentive here.

 

[Kenilworth]

hello Eskimo. I am your neighbour!!!! I Also inhabit Shepley. The gas board are digging up the road right outside my place now.
If your ever in the Black Bull on a Tuesday night make yourself known, Im the guy with the mike reading out the quiz.

I have to admit that I had to stare at the word "guy" a few times to make absolutely sure

 

[djbaldken]

But Im not the only 'guy' in the village!!!

 

[Eskimo]

Not wishing to stay too far from the thread topic. I wondered if there a prize associated with the quiz in the Black Bull?
If so, could you let me have the answers in advance DJ and I'll share the proceeds with you.
Deal ? Regards Scudamore AKA Eskimo

 

[Kenilworth]

Not wishing to stay too far from the thread topic. I wondered if there a prize associated with the quiz in the Black Bull?
If so, could you let me have the answers in advance DJ and I'll share the proceeds with you.
Deal ? Regards Scudamore AKA Eskimo

Ha! - That's almost as dodgy as the phrase "the gas board are digging up the road right outside my place now" which has to be some form of euphemism if ever I heard one

 

[Kenilworth]

But Im not the only 'guy' in the village!!!

I'm sure that you have heard about the the gay Eskimo then?

He rubbed his nob on the ice so he could get a chap on the end of it.



Not our resident forum Eskimo of course - Inuit was a joke

/ coat?

 

[djbaldken]

Not wishing to stay too far from the thread topic. I wondered if there a prize associated with the quiz in the Black Bull?
If so, could you let me have the answers in advance DJ and I'll share the proceeds with you.
Deal ? Regards Scudamore AKA Eskimo

There is a prize associated with the quiz in the Black Bull.

But if last nights turn out is anything to go by letting you haver the answers in advance would have netted us both three quid each!!!
But you would have had a free supper .

regards Mohamed Bin Hammam, AKA Baldken

 

[djbaldken]

Ha! - That's almost as dodgy as the phrase "the gas board are digging up the road right outside my place now" which has to be some form of euphemism if ever I heard one

Kenilworth the workings of your mind have plumbed new depths!!!!! PMSL