Sepp Blatter’s re-election as president of FIFA doesn’t forecast a bright future for soccer’s potential as an agent for positive change in the world.
With Blatter’s stupefying re-election on Friday, is there hope that soccer can be held up as an agent of hope, rather than an embarrassment of widespread corruption and cronyism?
It seems unlikely.
Blatter is the aging and defiant head of a poisonous den of snakes within FIFA, some of whom were captured last week by a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Justice and its counterparts in Switzerland.
Fourteen defendants, including nine FIFA executives, were indicted for a variety of charges related to what the Justice Department said were $150 million in bribes being handed out for at least 20 years.
Blatter wasn’t one of those indicted, but it seems like it’s just a matter of time before one of those who worked for him decides to give up the goods on the emperor.
Blatter welcomed the inquiries but deflected responsibility, saying he can’t watch everyone in his organization.
While true, when you’ve been the long-time leader of a group that’s obviously been corrupt for a long, long time, you don’t get to deflect responsibility so cavalierly.
A World Cup in Qatar, with no history and no facilities?
A World Cup in South Africa, with few facilities?
Both have been accused of bribing their way to World Cup bids.
Seriously, Mr. Blatter, you didn’t question the votes when they came in? You didn’t ask your voting members why they supported bids that didn’t pass the common-sense test?
You either ran the group for 17 years and knew exactly what was going on, or you ran the group and knew nothing that was going on. Either way, you aren’t covered in glory.
To date, the Washington Post reports that 1,200 migrant workers have been killed on construction projects in Qatar, curious site of the 2022 World Cup. Blatter and FIFA have refused to re-open a vote on changing the host site. Blatter and FIFA haven’t said much about the deaths. Perhaps because Qatar allegedly and reportedly bribed its way into being chosen as the host site. Blatter rolls along.
Russia, site of the 2018 World Cup and which has violated international treaties by invading Crimea, now proposes to use prison labor to build trimmed-down versions of stadiums it promised. Blatter and FIFA haven’t said much of anything, other than the voting won’t be re-opened to host the World Cup there. Blatter rolls along.
Blatter has suppressed publication of most of a report into the World Cup bids of Russia and Qatar. He rolls along.
Previous FIFA executives have been expelled for corruption. Blatter rolls along.
He has said things that are sexist. He has said things that are bigoted. Still, Blatter rolls along.
He was reportedly asked to resign on Friday by Michael Platini, the head of UEFA. Blatter refused, reportedly saying he is the best person to lead FIFA.
The arrogance is outstanding.
It’s time for FIFA’s regional groups and sponsors to put an end to his leadership and enact true transparency in the world’s most powerful sporting organization.
If they don’t, the World Cup will be forever damaged. Soccer’s reputation, recently tarnished, will take a long time to polish.
Blatter must not roll on.
MLS Atlanta hire: Ann Rodriguez was named MLS Atlanta's vice president of business operations last week. She will start June 22.
She will oversee the day-to-day operations of the franchise and will play an instrumental role in several questions that many of the team’s fans want answered: what will be the team’s name, what will be the team’s colors and what will the team’s kit look like.
Rodriguez was formerly senior vice president of the Washington, D.C.-based NextGen Angels, an investment group. Before that, she worked for Under Armour, where she led the efforts to secure the kit sponsorship of Tottenham Hotspur, the club MLS Atlanta President Darren Eales worked for before coming to work for Arthur Blank.
She brings MLS experience from a previous role with San Jose, where she was vice president of marketing.
You will be able to read more about Rodriguez in next week’s AJC Soccer Insider.
Georgians in MLS
Here’s a list of players with ties to the state who are in MLS:
Joe Bendik (@jtbendik), Toronto, GK, Kennesaw
Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 3-1 win over San Jose on May 30. He is recovering from a foot injury.
Next game: at D.C. United on Saturday.
Mark Bloom (@markbloom21), Toronto, D, Marietta
Did not make the 18 for team’s 3-1 win over Portland on May 30. He is recovering from an injury.
Next game: at D.C. United on Saturday.
Ricardo Clark (@RicoC13), Houston, M, Jonesboro
Started and played 90 minutes in team’s 1-1 draw with NYCFC on May 30.
Next game: vs. New York Red Bulls on Friday.
Warren Creavalle (@warrenspeak), Toronto, D, Acworth
Started, played 66 minutes and scored a goal in team’s 3-1 win over San Jose on May 30.
Next game: at D.C. United on Saturday.
Chris Duvall (@chrisduvall91), New York Red Bulls, D, Duluth
Played 90 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Seattle on May 31.
Next game: at Houston on Friday.
Sean Johnson (@sjohn25), Chicago, GK, Snellville
Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 3-0 win over Montreal on May 30.
Next game: at D.C. United on Wednesday and vs. Orlando on Saturday.
Chris Klute (@chrisklute), Columbus, D, Silverbacks, Clayton State
Came off the bench to play 26 minutes in team’s 2-2 draw with Orlando on May 30.
Next game: at Philadelphia on Wednesday and vs. Montreal on Saturday.
Jack McInerney (@jackmcinerney9), Montreal, F, Alpharetta
Started but didn’t score in 3-0 loss to Chicago on May 30.
Next game: vs. Vancouver on Wednesday and at Columbus on Saturday.
Kwadwo Poku, NYCFC, M/F, Silverbacks
Came off the bench to play 22 minutes in team’s 1-1 draw with Houston on May 30.
Next game: at Philadelphia on Saturday.
Andrew Wolverton (@a_wolvie), Los Angeles, G, Atlanta
Did not make the 18 for team’s 2-2 draw with New England on May 31. He recently joined the club after suffering a foot injury that required surgery in January.
Next game: vs. Vancouver on Saturday.
Walker Zimmerman (@thewalkerzim), Dallas, D, Lawrenceville
Made the 18 but didn’t play in team’s 4-0 loss to Sporting KC on May 29.
Next game: at San Jose on Sunday.
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