Fifa officials arrested in Zurich after dawn raid

[Rhiannon]

I suppose the big question is when will Sepp Blatter join those who have been arrested!!

Have you got evidence that he has committed a crime?

I think, perhaps, the worst thing he has done is allow a culture of corruption to develop for which, of course, he should resign, but it's not a criminal offence.

ETA it wouldn't surprise me if some criminal activity by Mr Blatter wasn't discovered, but the evidence isn't there yet AFAIK.

But t his happened on his watch - a man of honour would resign, surely?

[Nearly Sane]

The non sponsoring of FIFA

http://www.soccerbible.com/advertising-branding/2015/05/skins-official-fifa-non-sponsorship/

[floo]

If the corruption surrounding soccer spreads into the wider community and is as bad as claimed, the sport should be banned, and no loss to society imo! Many of the fans seem like lunatics too!

[Nearly Sane]

If the corruption surrounding soccer spreads into the wider community and is as bad as claimed, the sport should be banned, and no loss to society imo! Many of the fans seem like lunatics too!

Football is not the fount of corruption. The corruption already existed and exists in wider society which means by your logic that we must ban society

[Ricky Spanish]

and some people seem to be stupid, prejudiced, opinionated old cows.

perhaps they should be banned too?

their braindead comments would be no loss to society.

[Hope]

I suppose the big question is when will Sepp Blatter join those who have been arrested!!

Have you got evidence that he has committed a crime?

Whether he has committed a crime or no, he has been in charge of FIFA during a period that has seen a huge amount of corruption scandal.  Furthermore, there have been times when he has stopped internal investigations in their tracks when material has been uncovered that might damage FIFA - thus damaging it perhaps more than the material might have done.

I believe that being an accomplice to fraud and corruption may well be a criminal act.

[Andy]

If the corruption surrounding soccer spreads into the wider community and is as bad as claimed, the sport should be banned, and no loss to society imo! Many of the fans seem like lunatics too!

You don't half talk some utter shit at times.

[floo]

I must doing something right then! I make no apologies for my thoughts on the subject!

[Rhiannon]

It's like saying that because some elections are rigged then democracy should be banned.

How do I ban my son from kicking a ball about with his mates?

[Andy]

It's like saying that because some elections are rigged then democracy should be banned.

How do I ban my son from kicking a ball about with his mates?

You could always join Floo in picketing the kids down the park?

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Apparently ze police effected entry by getting srough ze vindows by means of climbing up Sepp Blatters.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Vlad,

Apparently ze police effected entry by getting srough ze vindows by means of climbing up Sepp Blatters.

Yes I did groan but with a smile on my face, anyway this is all a big conspiracy by the U.S to poke Putin in the eye.

Gonnagle.

[Nearly Sane]

Hugh Dennis wants his Sepp Blatter back, there are guttering problems

[Rhiannon]

It's like saying that because some elections are rigged then democracy should be banned.

How do I ban my son from kicking a ball about with his mates?

You could always join Floo in picketing the kids down the park?

Down with this sort of thing.

Careful now.

[Andy]

I wasn't lambasting picketing, but if you've got nothing better to do...

[Rhiannon]

http://newsthump.com/2015/05/27/fifa-officials-finally-arrested-after-hitting-the-absolute-limit-of-taking-the-piss/

http://newsthump.com/2015/05/28/mafia-moves-to-distance-itself-from-fifa/

[Rhiannon]

UEFA could be growing a pair.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/fifa-corruption-arrests-live-blog-football-officials-arrested-in-investigation--live-updates-10277649.html

[Hope]

UEFA could be growing a pair.

Not sure that they are, Rhi.  They have threatened to do just this, several times, each time following one of the previous corruption cases coming to light - yet they're still there.

[jeremyp]

I suppose the big question is when will Sepp Blatter join those who have been arrested!!

Have you got evidence that he has committed a crime?

I think, perhaps, the worst thing he has done is allow a culture of corruption to develop for which, of course, he should resign, but it's not a criminal offence.

ETA it wouldn't surprise me if some criminal activity by Mr Blatter wasn't discovered, but the evidence isn't there yet AFAIK.

But t his happened on his watch - a man of honour would resign, surely?

Of course he should resign.  That's why my post said he should (I've bolded the relevant part, because it seems you missed it first time).

[jeremyp]

If the corruption surrounding soccer spreads into the wider community and is as bad as claimed, the sport should be banned, and no loss to society imo! Many of the fans seem like lunatics too!

My agreement with Bashful Anthony prevents me from replying to this in the manner in which it deserves.  Suffice it to say, I second Thrud's reply.

[jeremyp]

I suppose the big question is when will Sepp Blatter join those who have been arrested!!

Have you got evidence that he has committed a crime?

Whether he has committed a crime or no, he has been in charge of FIFA during a period that has seen a huge amount of corruption scandal.  Furthermore, there have been times when he has stopped internal investigations in their tracks when material has been uncovered that might damage FIFA - thus damaging it perhaps more than the material might have done.

I believe that being an accomplice to fraud and corruption may well be a criminal act.

If you have the evidence, fine.  But at this time we can assume the evidence is lacking because he hasn't been arrested.

It is, however, incredible that he hasn't resigned yet. 

[Rhiannon]

I suppose the big question is when will Sepp Blatter join those who have been arrested!!

Have you got evidence that he has committed a crime?

I think, perhaps, the worst thing he has done is allow a culture of corruption to develop for which, of course, he should resign, but it's not a criminal offence.

ETA it wouldn't surprise me if some criminal activity by Mr Blatter wasn't discovered, but the evidence isn't there yet AFAIK.

But t his happened on his watch - a man of honour would resign, surely?

Of course he should resign.  That's why my post said he should (I've bolded the relevant part, because it seems you missed it first time).

No I didn't.

You know how people keep repeating things out of complete disbelief at what they are seeing/hearing?

[Rhiannon]

UEFA could be growing a pair.

Not sure that they are, Rhi.  They have threatened to do just this, several times, each time following one of the previous corruption cases coming to light - yet they're still there.

They'll look really stupid if they don't this time.

[BashfulAnthony]

At nearly 80, it ought to be time for Blatter to call it a day anyway, whatever else is going on.

[ad_orientem]

Blatter's going to win. I think that's almost certain. He has Africa and Asia in his pocket. I really hope that UEFA will back their words up with action. I've long been of the opinion that they should withdraw from FIFA. As well as being corrupt FIFA has also become increasingly anti-European and especially anti-English. Without the European teams FIFA and the World Cup would be a farce. UEFA should assert its authority otherwise it will also lose any respectability.