FIFA , IS IT A BANANA REPUBLIC ?

In accordance with the rules of the Banana Republic of FIFA, the re-election of the current President of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, must take place as planned on Wednesday June 1, 2011 !!!   This takes into account the result of the hearing of the ETHICS COMMITTEE as a result of which Bin Hamamm, the only other candidate standing against Sepp Blatter was disqualified .

Within much less than 48 hours the Ethics Committee had heard all the evidence required to condemn Bin Hamamm, others as well, from all football activities, but Sepp Blatter got away Scot free !!! 

So the FIFA Presidential election must take place as planned. This was explained by  Jerôme Valcke, the French born FIFA general secretary.

If the Banana Republic of FIFA really does apply its law does that mean all votes cast will be counted ?  After all, there will be votes for the sole candidate, but will there not also be votes against him ?  These votes must be counted, and the result of all votes cast (there are 206 members of FIFA) should be announced !!!  The simple visual mass show of hands to judge the winner must be avoided. However, the names of all who voted and how, should be made available.  This will make clear the feelings of all the delegates.

Whatever may happen in the voting, there is also another verity which will reveal itself during the weeks to come !!!  Refugees flee intolerant administrations  !!!  Would some countries not opt for such a solution to restore some common sense in football ?  Will there not be a breakaway movement ?

Finally, is there a legal system in Switzerland, besides that which FIFA applies ?  Does FIFA have auditors ? 

This Blog would love to scrutinise the Auditors Report and the Acoounts !!!

FIFA ETHICS COMMITTEE WILL JUDGE.....WHAT ?

This is going to be the next non-event in the FIFA saga.

The backdrop of the case is very simple. When Sepp Blatter got back from his last long trip to outposts of FIFA last Tuesday, he heard that there were accusations of bribery against members of the FIFA executive.

Blatter immediately examined the accusations and within 24 hours declared that there had not been any fraud !!!  The next step in the saga led to Bin Hammam, Blatter's sole opponent in the forthcoming FIFA Presidential election, being accused of "ethical wrongdoings" by Sepp Blatter.  Not to be outdone, Bin Hammam promptly accused Sepp Blatter also of "wrongdoings".

The Ethics Committee was immediately seized to judge the matter !!!  

The whole situation is a complete farce !!!  Firstly, how on earth could Sepp Blatter, in the space of 24 hours examine and conclude that there had been no infringements of FIFA's rules or ethics ? Did he consult all the relevant whitnesses ?

Secondly, now that the Ethics Committee has been told to judge the matter, Blatter was to be heard yesterday, Saturday, May 27, and Bin Hammam will be heard today, Sunday 28 !!!  Does this tight timetable really reflect the practical reality that all relevant whitnesses must be called and heard ?  Is the object of this manoever not to ensure a quick result, to avert the possibility that the Election of the FIFA President on June 1st is not delayed ?

Thirdly, the accusations by both parties imply that there was something fraudulent somewhere.  Lord Triesman set the ball rolling recently in the House of Commons !!!  Fraud is a criminal matter, not something for the Ethics Committee !!!

This Blog has already clearly said that to sort out this mess, a Legal Administrator should be appointed immediately and that the Election of the Next FIFA President should be temporally cancelled.

This whole problem smells !!!  In fact in good legal English, one says it "stinks" !!!  

FIFA MUST DELAY ELECTION !!!

When the only two candidates standing for election, to become the next President of FIFA, accuse each other of improper conduct, not to say anything more serious like corrupt conduct, the election next week lacks the fundamental condition that any candidate must be above suspicion of any kind !!!

These circumstances mean that no real result from the Ethics Commitee Court on Sunday, having judged Bin Hammam, Jack Warner and, to be quite clear, Sepp Blatter, can have any real effect on the future outcome of the "Presidential" election.  How can an "election" have any meaning if only one candidate remains !!!

FIFA MUST DELAY THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION and also REQUEST THE NOMINATION OF A PROFESSIONAL INTERNATIONAL  ADMINISTRATOR.

The mutual accusations by Bin Hammam and Sepp Blatter against each other are very serious.  They should not be judged just by a FIFA Ethics Committee, but by an independent court of criminal law !!!


Every day brings new evidence that not everything is perfect in the World of  FIFA.   If the 206 members of FIFA do not know what to do at or before the 61st FIFA Congress, they must insist on the nomination of an Administrator !!!  The proposed election of the President Is Flawed !!!

In the short term the NOMINATION OF AN INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATOR  will become the only way out of the current conflicts within FIFA !!!
     

DSK CONSIDERED GUILTY BY ............?

In this unending interlude before the next step is taken by the prosecution in its case against DSK, and before defence lawyers reply, speculation is rife on the final outcome of the case !!!

Speculation even concerns the future of the chief USA Procecutor, Cyrus Vance Jr.,  if he does not come out of this case unscathed !!!  All this has nothing to do with the case against DSK !!!

The socialists in France seem to have come to a firm opinion that DSK could never again become an honourable candidate in the French Presidential Election in 2012 !!!  This general conclusion suits everone.  It means all the main candidates can pursue their private ambitions, but must be selected to be the official candidate !!!  If not selected, some may nonetheless want to become independent candidates !!!.

This possibility is even still open to DSK, if he comes out of his current problems like an angel, unscathed and clean as a pin !!!  His lawyers have not yet revealed their hands. 

Something which is reprehensible is all the speculation in the press everwhere, concerning the guilt or not of DSK, of his past and of his future.  There are many rules in many countries but it is unlikely that the press anywhere will be punished for intervening in a case which is still  "sub judicae", i.e. before the court !!!  This is typically the type of case which sells, in the press, on TV and in the media in general !!!    

  

KATE SMILES BUT WILLIAM .....?

How often do we see our new Princess Kate smile stunningly, and into the eyes of her beholder ?  Almost every time there is a picture of her in the Press !!! 

Her Prince charming has much to learn !!!  William smiles a lot more now than before capturing his Princess, but he always looks down when he smiles !!!  He should have the same smile but look up !!!

Is there someone in Buckingham Palace who could take him in hand ?  William could slay many more admirers.     

WHO SUFFERS EU BAIL OUT DEBTS ?

What are the debts that the E U has taken on in bailing out Greece, Ireland, Portugal and possibly Spain ?  The IMF also seems to have subscribed to these "Bailouts" !!!  What in fact is the possible loss the IMF could suffer if any "Bailout" country goes to the wall ? 


To put it more bluntly, how much by EU country, would the cost be if Greece declared itself "Bankrupt" and wanted to readopt the drachma as its new currency to replace the EURO? 

If the EU or the IMF makes "Finance" available and in spite this a country cannot pay its debts, Greece for example, who or which countries, will suffer the loss of the "Finance" provided to Greece, if in spite of the "temporary" finance, Greece does become bankrupt ?   

The "Rescue Fund" which the EU has set up, is in fact composed of loans by participating countries.  If Greece has obtained a part of these loans, and if Greece then defaults, the loss will then be borne by the participating countries !!! 

For electors who are not Financial Wizzards, all these questions are a complete mystery.  The national press and politicians should explain the risks invoved and their effect on future national policies.  Taxpayers  have a right to know !!!

FIFA NEEDS A REVOLUTION

The election of the President of FIFA, or even his re-election, is now only one week away !!!  Neither candidate, Sepp Blatter who is now seeking a fourth term as President, nor Bin Hammam, who has obtained the hosting of the 2022 World Cup for Qatar, have met publicly to explain in more detail their intentions over the next four years if elected !!!

This fact is inadmissible of an organsation which is supposed to have the interests of more than a Billion people at its heart !!!  This blog has repeatedly said that FIFA needs a fundamental reform.

Sepp Blatter has recently promised that he will not seek a re-election in 2015 !!! Can this be believed if by then he has not finished all he starts to modernise FIFA !!!  Like now he will then plead for more time again !!!

When leaders do not want to stand down, not seek re-election, not modernise procedures, not take into account the wishes of their electorate, revolutions suddenly take place.  This we have repeatedly seen in arab countries and elsewhere, in recent years.

Could this not happen in the world of FIFA ?  If a petition is signed by all 200+ members of FIFA demanding an Extraordinary Meeting to adopt a draft revision of the Statutes of FIFA within three months, would nothing happen ?

If nothing happens, what would FIFA do then if all the members refused to pay any new monies due to FIFA until changes are made to its organisation ?