So I start my blog at the
same time as Sepp Blatter has announced his resignation as FIFA
president amid the FBI's probe into corruption. Rejoice! Like the
majority of football/soccer fans, this is something that has needed to
happen for a very long time. I feared Blatter was going to one of
history's true untouchables, so I was surprised as much as anyone when
he announced his resignation. I can't imagine he resigned under his own
volition, so I assume he felt under pressure from both inside and
outside the organization. It's not like the man has ever had
football/soccer's best interest at heart. FIFA as an organization is a
laughing stock now. Football fans have had to stand by for a long time
powerless to do anything as this corrupt organization makes a mockery of
the sport on the world stage, so it's great that people outside of the
football world are now taking action against FIFA.
The awarding of
the World Cup to Qatar was just a joke and it's obvious the only way
that the tournament was awarded to that small RICH country with it's
extreme summer heat was through less than honest means. Qatar already
has a horrible human rights record before the World Cup was even awarded
to them. It was FIFA’s ultimate middle finger to the sane world to let
them know how untouchable they thought they were.
Can
you believe a World Cup could be given to a country where flogging and
stoning are legal. For gay people who want to see a World Cup bear in
mind that sodomy between consenting adults is illegal and can be
punished by up to 5 years in prison. For Muslims it’s much worse as
homosexuality is a crime punishable by death.
When
Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup, Blatter was asked about what gay
football fans should do given that homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf
state. He joked: "I'd say they (gay fans) should refrain from any sexual
activities."
Blatter
later apologized "It was not my intention and never will be my
intention to go into any discrimination," Blatter said. "If somebody
feels hurt, then I regret and present apologies."
There
has also been the controversy over migrant worker deaths as they work
on the Stadiums for the tournament. The Guardian newspaper's
investigation into the migrant worker's conditions in Qatar reported
migrants were dying at a rate of one every two days. The Guardian also
reported that migrant deaths there in 2012/2013 was an incredible 964.
That's just awful.
The sooner the old relic, Blatter is removed
from being the figurehead of world football the better. Football and the
world in general can well do without his often offensive views and
comments.
In regards to racism and sexism he gave us these gems.
In
June 2011, Blatter said that any racism on the field of play could be
solved with a handshake. When pushed further about racism on the pitch,
Blatter told CNN "I would deny it. There is no racism.There is maybe one
of the players towards another -- he has a word or a gesture which is
not the correct one. But the one who is affected by that, he should say:
'This is a game. We are in a game, and at the end of the game, we shake
hands.' And this can happen, because we have worked so hard against
racism and discrimination." Really Blatter, sigh…
Blatter also caused a stir in January 2004 when he suggested women footballers should wear more feminine clothes.
"Let
the women play in more feminine clothes like they do in volleyball," he
said at the time.”They could, for example, have tighter shorts." Okay,
so we all have our pervy thoughts every now and then, but you don't say
such things for the whole world to hear.
Whoever takes over the presidency will sure be a breath of fresh air to the organization and the beautiful game as a whole.
Candidates.
Here are my thoughts on some of the candidates who are already in the running for the FIFA presidency.
Prince Ali bin al-Hussein.
At
the recent FIFA elections I was desperate for Prince Ali to win, but
that was because he was the only person standing against Blatter. Now
that he's no longer the only candidate my feelings are split. I will
say, however, that because he was the only one brave enough to stand
against Blatter he probably deserves it just because of that.
Michel Platini.
Probably
the favorite now. Although he's been very critical of Blatter and has
called for him to resign in the past, I was disappointed he didn't put
himself forward as a candidate at the election. As head of UEFA I think
he's probably the best candidate of them all now.
Luis Figo.
He
said he pulled out of the recent presidential election because he
didn't want to split the anti Blatter vote, and because he didn't want
absolute power. If he runs again in the new presidential vote I think
he'll be an outsider as I can't really see him winning many votes.
Michael Van Praag.
The
Dutch football chief also recently pulled out of the presidential race
so he wouldn't split the anti Blatter vote. At the time of writing this
he's still considering whether he'll run again or not. I like that he's
interested in the human rights conditions of the workers employed to
build the stadiums and that he wants to limit FIFA's presidency to two
terms only.
David Ginola.
Ginola has
already said he would be running in the election again, although he
wasn't taken very seriously in his last attempt and had to withdraw
because he could not get the backing of the 5 football associations
needed to stand. A big, big outsider, although I loved him as a player.
My ideal choice.
So
my ideal choice for the role would be David Beckham. He was part of
England's failed 2018 World Cup bid. Since retiring as a player he is
still a great ambassador for the game and has the experience of playing
in World Cups. He's also played for some of the world's top club teams
and LA Galaxy (sorry Galaxy fans, bad joke) and is currently involved in
getting his MLS side up and running. With Beckham at the helm, FIFA
would take on an immediate image makeover. And damn, he's so good to
look at.
No matter who wins the upcoming election, I believe the
beautiful game will be the ultimate winner. Of course this wouldn't be a
gay themed blog if I didn't list them in order of attractiveness. So
here is how I see it based on looks.
1st choice: David Beckham
2nd choice: David Ginola
3rd choice: Luis Figo
