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Posted by: *Tim 2nd June 2015, 04:53 PM

Just reported on the Dutch news, lemme find an English source

EDIT:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32982449

Posted by: Silas 2nd June 2015, 04:55 PM

About time that toxic c**t stepped down. Now to get the 2018 and 2022 selections overturned and given to more appropriate hosts

Posted by: *Tim 2nd June 2015, 04:57 PM

Can I get a Hallelu?!

I was so angry when he was re-elected but I'm so glad he stepped down regardless. It's time for a new era in FIFA

(And reverse the decisions like Phil said indeed)

Posted by: ML Hammer95 2nd June 2015, 05:01 PM

Has he actually been found to be corrupt though? I know loads of his executives had, but surely his ambitions as president have been noble? Spreading football beyond the big established nations and giving Africa their first World Cup. Also, he's been pretty vocal on the need for reform - would he do this if he was implicitly guilty?

Think Russia should keep 2018, at least they are a country with a rich footballing tradition and Eastern Europe deserves to host a World Cup. Qatar is a disgrace though, I'd like Australia to host 2022 instead.

Posted by: Iz~ 2nd June 2015, 05:10 PM

Excellent news. I was reading an article about UEFA leaders breaking away and drawing European teams out of the World Cup if Blatter wasn't dealt with, I wonder if that had any impact on his decision, given there'd naturally be far less money involved if most of the successful teams didn't show up.

He's been presiding over a corrupt regime for too long, the organisation needs change, and whether he's guilty or not he's got to have been aware it was going on. He's a symbol, and as he has been staying on the side of keeping the date for a ridiculous winter tournament bought with money and slave labour his time has passed.

Posted by: Suedehead2 2nd June 2015, 05:15 PM

He was a senior person within FIFA for the whole of the time the alleged corruption was going on. If he really didn't know anything about it, that makes him incompetent.

Both decisions on 2018 and 2022 should be revisited, although Russia and Qatar should both be able to state their case for keeping the tournament.

Posted by: Mart!n 2nd June 2015, 05:17 PM

Great news, that's made my day.

I think Russia 2018 should stand, as for the Qatar 2022 which is one huge mess could be given to someone else without disrupting the British and the European league Games.

Posted by: Mart!n 2nd June 2015, 05:20 PM

Or they can be designated to whoever came second, whoever that maybe

Runners Up are Portugal/Spain 2018
Runners Up are USA 2022

Posted by: Rooney 2nd June 2015, 05:21 PM

It's clear that he's been tipped off. To go from being so stubborn about not resigning to resigning less than a week after being re-elected, something smells fishy to be here. It's excellent news of course, but FIFA needs reforming completely.

I don't care if he's corrupt or not - if this level of corruption is happening in your organisation and you're not aware of it, then it's criminal. I admire him for wanting to give football to other continents, but that's it. He's well liked because the FIFA money is distributed equally, and every nation is equal. How the hell can San Marino get as much say as England/France in the way FIFA is run? All of the countries that back Blatter have next to no chance of ever appearing in a FIFA competition. This is where the reform needs to happen, the voting system should be balanced by the nation's contribution to FIFA.

I think the Russia World Cup will go ahead, and while it's still a massive joke it's being held there, I think it's too late in the game now to change things. Qatar on the other hand, well I think it could be in serious jeopardy now.

Posted by: RobinJuanPersie 2nd June 2015, 05:21 PM

This is the best news I've heard all year. The new president must announce a revote on the 2018 & 2022 World Cups, especially Qatar as they are in no way fit to host a major sporting tournament.

Posted by: sm1ffj 2nd June 2015, 05:26 PM

He is the 8th president serving from (1998–2015).

The full list are as follows from President number:-

1 Robert Guérin (1904–1906)
2 Daniel Burley Woolfall (1906–1918)
3 Jules Rimet (1921–1954)
4 Rodolphe Seeldrayers (1954–1955)
5 Arthur Drewry (1955–1961)
6 Stanley Rous (1961–1974)
7 João Havelange (1974–1998)

Jules Rimet was the longest serving 33 years.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 2nd June 2015, 05:31 PM

How should the votes be weighted then, if people feel the bigger nations should have more say? I am not too sure how this is workable. Population? Football heritage?

Back when Stanley Rous was President, this was in effect how FIFA was run: favouring Europe and the big Latin American countries. This angered Africa and Asia who had to compete for just one World Cup place and mass boycotted the 1966 tournament. Created a culture where Joao Havelange was able to get elected in 1974 and this was when FIFA began to look for the support of smaller nations. Populist gestures like expanding the World Cup did this.

Posted by: Rooney 2nd June 2015, 05:35 PM

Maybe similar to how the US Presidential election is run? All countries should still have a say, but the way the system is right now is unsustainable and breeds corruption. Why the hell would these small nations ever want reform, when they get their pockets lined from FIFA money. And it's not invested in to trying to make their nation's football grassroots better! Blatter was intent on letting any small country be a part of FIFA because this just meant it was one extra nation on his side.

Posted by: Doctor Blind 2nd June 2015, 05:41 PM

Good that he has gone - he represents all that is wrong with FIFA (even if he had nothing to do with it, as others said he has presided over this level of corruption).

I think FIFA needs to revisit the process by which the World Cups of 2018 and 2022 were awarded, and also redraw its guidelines. I think more should be done by UEFA and the English FA to promote and fund football in Africa and Asia and there should be an agreed timetable by which the World Cup is cycled equally between continents.

Posted by: Iz~ 2nd June 2015, 06:15 PM

The tiny island nations and poor African countries are probably not going to get anywhere near the World Cup for a long time. So they should have less say than the major footballing nations. With initiatives to help the lowest-ranked ones improve as a counterbalance to losing voting power.

This isn't going to be like 1966 again, the continent placings are fair as they are and I think it's unlikely that any future FIFA president will pull it back so massively in favour of Europe that another continent boycotts, but as the current system stands it's a bit ridiculous that Germany or France has the same level of say in FIFA matters as the Cayman Islands. In full agreement with Rooney on this.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 2nd June 2015, 06:28 PM

I think I agree with this in principle, but I still struggle to see how they'd implement this system. Who's gonna decide who's important enough to have a greater say in FIFA? Countries like India and Thailand have limited football tradition but surely they wouldn't be ignored? Would that be in favour of smaller, but proud football nations like Peru or Norway or Costa Rica?

You do have to encourage the minnow nations in some way and cutting them out isn't a way to do this surely?

A system controlled by Western Europe and Brazil/Argentina and probably the USA/China as well is surely as open to manipulation and corruption as the current system.

Posted by: Rooney 2nd June 2015, 06:37 PM

It's completely mental. It's the same mentality of sponging off the state, none of these minnow nations contribute anything to FIFA yet they get a massive pay package. No wonder they're happy! If this money was actually invested into improving the standard of football in their country then maybe it might change things, but there is zero incentive for them as with Blatter they just have it all on a plate. It's ridiculous. One nation - one vote is definitely not the way forward.

Posted by: Flatcap 2nd June 2015, 06:41 PM

This is the best thing to happen for football.

I would like to see a president be limited in the amount of terms that he/she can serve. Perhaps 2 like the system in the USA. Also an upper age limit.

Posted by: Suedehead2 2nd June 2015, 06:59 PM

That was suggested several years ago. They even adopted it as a policy very briefly, before it was dropped. I don't agree with sharing it equally, because each federation does not have an equal number of potential hosts. Europe has Germany, England, France, Italy, Spain and Russia who could host it on their own. Asia has Japan, China and Australia (as they compete in the Asian federation). Oceania has none (unless Australia return). South America has Argentina and Brazil, while North and Central America has the USA. Africa has South Africa, although others may be able to do so eventually. That would mean the USA would host it every 20 years, but England etc. would only get it every 120 years.

Posted by: Doctor Blind 2nd June 2015, 07:18 PM

You're right - any system should share equally across the continents but take into account the number of nations capable of hosting the event. Maybe the option of sharing (as was adopted in 2002, and frequently in Europe - or across Europe as in Euro 2020) could be a viable way around increasing this number in Asia and Africa.

I don't have a problem with England hosting it once every 100 years, we have to accept that there are an increasing number of countries that could do with the investment that hosting such an event brings.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 2nd June 2015, 07:43 PM

Didn't the experience of Japan/South Korea in 2002 put FIFA off xo-hosting? Apparently felt like two separate tournaments, a criticism also levelled at Euro 2012. Euro 2000 and Euro 2008 were more positive experiences though, so the idea can work.

Uruguay are bound to host some part of the 2030 World Cup, probably co-hosting with Argentina.

Posted by: Mack 2nd June 2015, 07:51 PM

About time he had. Isn't this 6 days too late though. As this congress isn't set to take place until December at the earliest.

Obviously the first small step to a new era for FIFA.

Posted by: Suedehead2 2nd June 2015, 07:58 PM

They said they didn't want any more co-hosts. That didn't stop some countries (Spain / Portugal) putting in a joint bid. The biggest problem with joint hosts is that it takes two qualifying places. That isn't too bad if at least one country is an almost certain qualifier anyway. It is more of a problem if they are both borderline qualifiers. It also helps if there is an open border between the two countries.

Posted by: Mart!n 2nd June 2015, 09:20 PM

I read that somewhere, its to mark the 100 years of the World Cup, Uruguay and Argentina were both finalists, and Uruguay won, it could still happen. I rather have Uruguay hosting the whole tournament since they actually won it. I don't particularly like Joint hosts.

Posted by: popchartfreak 3rd June 2015, 08:56 AM

allegations have been circulating in print for years and he had plenty of opportunity to clean up the house and do his job. Power corrupts and all that, if not subject to checks and balances, so I would imagine being found utterly incompetent is the least worst option for him now....

Tournaments? depends on how much evidence there is or not that the nations paid off officials to get them. If there is any hard evidence money exchanged hands then any country involved in that at an official level is highly suspect and should be disqualified from holding it. In which case it should go to the next best bid that is proven clean (or at least not proven guilty).

The Americans don't muck about with corruption....!

Posted by: Mack 3rd June 2015, 12:16 PM

Blatter is under investigation by the US over corruption.

Even if they redo the voting process for the 2018 & 2022 World Cup. It's very likely that Qatar & Russia would sue FIFA.

EDIT:

South Africa have denied paying $10 bribe to secure the 2010 World Cup.

Posted by: Rooney 3rd June 2015, 09:08 PM

From the BBC..


The guilty pleas of former top Fifa official Chuck Blazer have been detailed with the release of papers from a 2013 hearing in New York.

He says that he and others on Fifa's executive committee agreed to accept bribes in conjunction with the choice of South Africa as 2010 World Cup host.

The American says he also accepted bribes over the 1998 event.

The US has launched a wide-ranging criminal case that engulfed Fifa and led President Sepp Blatter to resign.

The US prosecutors last week indicted 14 people on charges of bribery, racketeering and money laundering. Four others had already been charged, including Mr Blazer.

The US justice department alleges they accepted bribes and kickbacks estimated at more than $150m (£97m) over a 24-year period.

The details of Mr Blazer's guilty pleas came as prosecutors unsealed the transcript of the 2013 hearing in the Eastern New York District Court. The admissions are part of a sentencing deal with prosecutors.

Mr Blazer was the second highest official in Fifa's North and Central American and Caribbean region (Concacaf) from 1990 to 2011 and also served on Fifa's executive committee between 1997 and 2013.

Mr Blazer says: "Beginning in or around 2004 and continuing through 2011, I and others on the Fifa executive committee agreed to accept bribes in conjunction with the selection of South Africa as the host nation for the 2010 World Cup."

Earlier on Wednesday, South Africa denied paying a $10m bribe to secure the hosting of the 2010 event.

Mr Blazer also says: "I and others agreed to accept bribes and kickbacks in conjunction with the broadcast and other rights to the 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2003 Gold Cups (the regional championship for national teams)."

Absolutely crazy.

Posted by: Mack 4th June 2015, 02:00 PM

Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has said in a TV address that he will revel all he knows about corruption at the world football body. He also said that he has feared for his life.

Furthermore according to a British government minister, England would be ready and able to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup if it was stripped from Qatar. However this is unlikely to happen as Russia are staging the 2018 tournament.

Posted by: Mack 4th June 2015, 07:39 PM

According to the Football Association of Ireland. FIFA paid them 5 million Irish euros to stop them taking legal action over Thierry Henry's handball in Ireland's 2010 World Cup play-off defeat to France.

Posted by: Rooney 4th June 2015, 10:48 PM

It's crazy. Going by the rumours, as has long been suspected, there might have been some match-fixing in 2002. Not sure who would want to lead FIFA after all this comes out.

Posted by: Mart!n 5th June 2015, 09:34 AM

If Qatar was stripped from hosting, it could still swing to a European host if a European country is ready to host, also there is plenty of time to sort Qatar's Big Mess, personally I can't see Qatar hosting it now surely officials will start digging to see if bribes were taken for Qatar to host, not sure about Russia, but I think its too late to do anything about that one.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 5th June 2015, 10:20 AM

I bet it was that South Korea Italy match, the amount of wrong decisions in that one was perplexing and angers Italians to this day. Swear the ref got caught match-fixing later too.

Worst thing for the English to say is that we'd step in and host the 2022 World Cup. Firstly, there's no void to fill yet. Secondly, it just perpetuates the view that the English are bitter about not getting the World Cup rather than the corruption. People underestimate how staggeringly unpopular England is to the rest of the world! Part of me is surprised we even got 2 votes in the 2018 World Cup bidding.

Greg Dyke should shut up and let the details unravel. They speak louder than anything the English FA and government ministers pipe up about.

Posted by: Suedehead2 5th June 2015, 10:32 AM

England would have a better chance of stepping in to host 2018 in the unlikely event that it is taken away from Russia. After all, there can't be many countries capable of staging the tournament at short notice. If Qatar lose 2022, I can't see FIFA having two successive tournaments in Europe.

Posted by: Mart!n 5th June 2015, 11:40 AM

If England do end up hosting 2018, than an Oceania country could be up for 2022 if Qatar lose it. I do sense that Qatar will lose it, plus there is still plenty of time to do a re-vote. I don't think it really matters having two successive tournaments in Europe, if a European country is ready to host a competition, it just be a one-off situation, anyway 2022 is far off, it could go to the runners up (US) for all we know.

Posted by: ML Hammer95 5th June 2015, 11:56 AM

Do people actually want England to host the World Cup?

For me, part of the excitement of a World Cup is learning about the host country, seeing different players play in exotic places. Seeing the England team grapple with swealtering heat and the adventure associated with different countries.

All that would be lost if the World Cup was held in cities like Sunderland, Birmingham and Sheffield. Stadiums we see every week anyway.

Plus, who actually enjoys hosting a party!? Much better to attend as a guest.

Posted by: Mart!n 5th June 2015, 12:09 PM

I do actually, at least we don't have to play in the preliminary draws as England will get an automatic entry as a host nation for 2018 I think Russia will host the 2018 comp as the preliminary draws are just weeks away.



http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/england-favourites-to-host-2018-world-cup-following-sepp-blatter-resignation-10292941.html

Posted by: Iz~ 5th June 2015, 12:33 PM

And indeed, some nations, the really weak ones like Caribbean islands and Asian nations where football isn't very popular, have already started their qualifying campaigns for it even before the draw. Russia won't be changing.

I wouldn't mind England hosting, but the preliminary draws are nothing to worry about for us, there's very little chance of us not making the finals these days and I agree with ML Hammer, I like seeing the World Cup hosted in far-off places, and if it were hosted here, I'd feel pressure to actually try and go to a football match in person, which I'd find absolutely terrifying. Though I suppose I didn't try to go to any of the Olympics (bit of a regret in all honesty) and I enjoy them far more so that may not be a problem.

I'd say if Qatar did go, would it not be USA's prerogative, as they came 2nd in the bidding and would easily be able to take it up with very few problems. 94 was successful for a reason. Them or Australia.

Posted by: popchartfreak 5th June 2015, 06:36 PM

The USA are the obvious ones, they are doing all the work that no-one else wanted to do digging through the mounds of dirt and corruption, and they will be livid that they lost the bid to corruption (allegedly). I would imagine the bulk of the teams would be overjoyed not to be playing in ridiculous risky temperatures and jet off to a more balmy and pleasant venue.

Russia, of course, can't possibly have been involved in anything corrupt and underhand, the very idea is just too ridiculous and I'm sure the Americans won't even be looking very hard for evidence.

Posted by: ┌ ╫ ┘ 5th June 2015, 06:55 PM

but that is somewhat trivial at the end of the day isn't it because you could spend that energy taking great pride in your homeland hosting a wonderful competition

after all, it'll only be once in a lifetime such an occasion could or would occur

Posted by: Chez Wombat 5th June 2015, 07:05 PM

I think it would be great for us to host. Our hosting of the Olympics really showed us at our most cultural and crucially, united as a nation, I can't remember a happier two weeks in recent years. I see no reason why we couldn't do perform similarly well with hosting the World Cup (I mean we'd probably do terribly, unlike Team GB but it's all about the unity really), tis the same for other countries and cultures but we shouldn't be any different.

That said, I feel the US would be the fairest option for 2022, they'd handle it fine I'm sure.

(V.glad for all this corruption being exposed and Blatter out, a Qatar world cup was just ridiculous really)

Posted by: Mack 7th June 2015, 04:55 PM

Another day, even more scandal from FIFA.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-33039014

Posted by: Mart!n 10th June 2015, 11:44 AM

Fifa World Cup 2026 bidding process delayed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33078284

Posted by: Mack 26th June 2015, 07:36 PM

Sepp Blatter has said today that he didn't resign as FIFA president.


He said:

He could be considering standing for re-election as president.

Just when you thought he had gone...

Posted by: Mack 6th July 2015, 04:30 PM

FIFA have banned a key World Cup official who assessed the bids of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups from all football-related activity for seven years. They said former Chilean Football Association Harold Mayne-Nicholls had been suspended by its ethics committee and that more information would be given when the "decision becomes effective".

Posted by: Mack 9th July 2015, 11:22 AM

FIFA has banned Chuck Blazar from all football related activity for life. Blazer, was working undercover with prosecutors in the USA after pleading guility to charges of bribery, money and laundering and tax evasion.

Posted by: Mack 20th July 2015, 10:00 AM

Sepp Blatter is set to reveal his plans for reform FIFA today.

Wonder how this will go.......

Posted by: Mack 20th July 2015, 01:10 PM

FIFA will be holding a extraordinary congress on 26th February 2016 in order to elect their new president.

Posted by: Mack 21st July 2015, 01:34 PM

Did anyone see this yesterday:



Lee Nelson throwing money at Sepp Blatter and saying "That's for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North Korea'

Posted by: ML Hammer95 21st July 2015, 02:28 PM

Hilarious. His face showed that very fibre in Blatter's being wanted to grab that money

In all seriousness, it looks like Platini will be the next President. I'm not sure he represents a significant change from Blatter if I'm honest.

Posted by: Mack 24th July 2015, 01:44 PM

Latest on the FIFA corruption scandal is that FIFA will plan to hold a summit with the sponsors in August as they have admitted that potential World Cup sponsors are being put off.

Posted by: Mack 28th July 2015, 12:24 PM

According to Putin.

Sepp Blatter deserves the Nobal Peace Prize!!

Posted by: Mack 27th September 2015, 10:27 AM

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini are facing a investigation by FIFA's ethic committee over a payment that Platini received in 2011.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34371697

Posted by: Mack 29th September 2015, 11:28 AM

Fifa's independent Ethics Committee has banned Jack Warner from football-related activities for life.

The decision to ban the former Fifa vice-president and executive committee member was taken on the basis of investigations carried out following the Ethics Committee report on the bidding process for the 2018 and '22 World Cups.

Posted by: Mack 16th October 2015, 07:30 PM

Bernie Ecclestone getting involved in the Sepp Blatter situation:

Posted by: Mack 29th October 2015, 09:20 AM

Now apparently the 2018 World Cup host was already decided:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34657900

Posted by: ML Hammer95 21st December 2015, 08:53 AM

Blatter and Platini both banned for EIGHT YEARS from all football related activity.

Considering his age, that is surely the end of Sepp now!?

Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack 21st December 2015, 12:10 PM

It must be the end of Blatter now. They will both appeal their bans.