FIFA Bureaucrats Arrested, to be extradited to US

Discussion in 'General Football & Other Sport' started by Fitz, May 27, 2015.

  1. Fitz

    Fitz Squad Player

    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32895048

    Interesting development.
    Will it stick?
    Will it have any long term effect?
    Why USA?

    Blatter is surely wary and has lawyered himself up. Is there a chance to take him down before Friday's election?!
     
  2. The Voice of Reason

    The Voice of Reason First Team Captain

    At last, now maybe the alleged corrupt Fifa Delegates, of which there are rumoured to be many, will get their comeuppance, and hopefully we will begin to sort the alleged deep rooted corruption in Fifa out, and bring it back to being a reputable and admired organisation.
     
  3. Otter

    Otter Gambling industry insider

    The timing isn't co-incidental in my opinion.
     
  4. sherlock

    sherlock Tippytappy footy expert

    I agree with the "at last!"
    So many countless rumours during years and years, Blatter became a sort of unmovable "king", dubious decisions (Qatar? seriously?).
    PFC questions:
    I certainly hope it sticks.
    I hope this may have a long term effect in cleaning the air in football, beginning with the head.
    USA probably were the only single nation strong enough to send an international order of arrest to Swiss police towards ultrapowerful FIFA top men without being laughed at.
     
  5. wfc4ever

    wfc4ever Administrator Staff Member

    The beginning of the end?

    Let's hope so - Qatar might start to get worried.
     
  6. zztop

    zztop Eurovision Winner 2015

    The US authorities love to make "deals". Those arrested will start squealing like pigs!
     
  7. molly

    molly Reservist

    Taken from another forum

    (America has the authority because of) "The Rico act and the Alien Torte Statute. Most of the officials were CONACAF so it's on their side of the pond. Also their FIFA representative was caught dodging domestic tax issues so spilled the beans to the FBI to save his arse"

    I'm just glad that someone, somewhere is finally doing something concrete about it all. I do wonder how much of America's motivation was the award of the 2018 World Cup to Russia though.
    As ZZ say's, it won't be long before they're all singing like canaries.
     
  8. Shakespearo

    Shakespearo Reservist

    Am looking forward to seeing Herr Blatter in an orange jump suit.
     
  9. reids

    reids First Team

  10. Timbers

    Timbers Apeman

    Hey at least he can arrange the football tournaments in there hey!
    [​IMG]
     
  11. csdxl

    csdxl One Millionth Post

    According to BBC News, Reuters are reporting that on top of the hotel arrests, FIFA HQ is currently being raided with documents taken as evidence of wrongdoing in the voting process for the 2018/2022 World Cups. :sign15:

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Diamond

    Diamond First Team

  13. Reminds me of USADA bringing down Armstrong. Get the henchmen to cough, get the big guy.
     
  14. cyaninternetdog

    cyaninternetdog Forum Hippie

    FIFA is just the start.
     
  15. nascot

    nascot First Team

    Let's hope this is the beginning of the end for them. The whole organisation needs to start afresh.
     
  16. iamofwfc

    iamofwfc Squad Player

    It about bloody time, cant believe it has taken so long after who got the next two world cups, I assume if there were bribes fifa will legally allowed to have another vote who would get the next two world cups?
    I assume of Qatar and Russia found guilty then they would not be allowed to bid? If so hopefully England and Australia will win the right to host it.

    I am not a legal expert but why would it have to be come from FBI for the investigations? have the Swiss Authorities requested them to, I would have expect the only people who could take legal action would be the Swiss Authorities?

    This just the tip of the Iceberg

    I just hope something sticks to Blatter!

    Put God Taylor forward to run it!
     
  17. KelsoOrn

    KelsoOrn Squad Player

    This has to be the best news ever. Don't you just sometimes love the Yanks when they decide to 'kick arse'?

    I'm away to the off licence to obtain a magnum of Krug of a fine vintage. I intend to charge it to the 'Blatter account' while it's still got some mileage attached to it.
     
  18. iamofwfc

    iamofwfc Squad Player

    I bet there are a few hard drives and getting smashed up at the moment, wonder if Honest Harrys dog account is under suspicion.

    Love it the way the FIFA spokesman said this is a good thing for Fifa.

    This will make it a very interesting Summer.
     
  19. KelsoOrn

    KelsoOrn Squad Player

    The Sky reporter in Geneva is Paul Kelso. To 'scotch' any rumours - ain't me guys!
     
  20. GoingDown

    GoingDown "The Stability"

    I can understand why FIFA think this is all a good thing.

    Teflon Sepp dodges another bullet. They can play the ignorance card all day long and say they are working hard to root out the bad eggs whilst the rotten core remains.

    Nothing much will change whilst all the countries are slaves to the machine that is FIFA. Too many countries do too well out of them and are happy to turn a blind eye to the issues involving World Cup venues. Do the FA's of Costa Rica or Jamaica really care if there are backhanders from the Russians or Qatar? Of course not. Especially if they are the recipient of such backhanders.

    The only thing that will change things would be if a major football nation pulls out and sadly due to the financial ramifications of doing that, it'll never happen. Dyke talks a good game but he doesn't have the balls to do it.

    And while all the big countries procrastinate, Sepp gets elected once again.
     
  21. GoingDown

    GoingDown "The Stability"

    I genuinely just wondered that.
     

  22. And in a bizarre twist, the Sky reporter at Kelso races is Paul Geneva.
     
  23. PowerJugs

    PowerJugs Doyley Fanatic

  24. Otter

    Otter Gambling industry insider

    If FIFA are to regain the smallest amount of credibility they simply have to vote against Blatter on Friday. I know it will be a tough task for the Jordanian fella to win as it stands but for all of the federations that back Blatter because they want continuity (for want of a better word and to avoid typing anything libelous) then there is the danger the whole thing will come crashing down.

    Irrespective of the outcome of the FBI investigation there could be the possibility that if all of the European associations collaberated then theoretically UEFA and its members could simply break away from FIFA rendering the remains of FIFA pretty much powerless.
     
  25. Happy bunny

    Happy bunny Cheered up a bit

    Didn't Chuck Blazer, their very own FIFA man, do a plea-bargain?
     
  26. goldpapaya

    goldpapaya First Year Pro

    Are there any honest/honourable people in FIFA to replace the ones being done? Or will it be more of the same. I cannot see how they can find suitable people from within to take over. How do you establish who is fit and proper.

    All this talk about another exercise to award the World Cups - pie in the sky. Politically and practically, the fall out from this will be minimal.
     
  27. Otter

    Otter Gambling industry insider

    We don't know, but I hope that Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein wins and makes his first priority to clean up FIFA, as uncomfortable as it sounds that may include amnesties and drawing the line in the sand at worst, bit something has to be done quickly. If Blatter wins, I suggested in an earlier post, I hope FIFA is torn apart and a new organisation created in its place.
     
  28. sonofben

    sonofben Reservist


  29. fEck yeah !
     
  30. Happy bunny

    Happy bunny Cheered up a bit

    From the BBC website:

    FBI's Fifa news conference
    Posted at 16:17
    It has been confirmed that there will be a fresh inquiry into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
    Corruption did, it has been stated during the news conference, 'extend to Fifa presidential campaigns'.
    Total of 47 charges dating back 24 years.
    Arrests come as Switzerland opens its own inquiry. Swiss federal prosecutors open criminal case.
    Defendants have surrendered $150m in illegal profits.
    US banks and wiring used in bribery.

    GOD BLESS AMERICA!
     
  31. GoingDown

    GoingDown "The Stability"

    It should mean the end for FIFA in its current form. There is no way that the election should go ahead and any decisions should be suspended until such time as these charges are addressed.

    However, this is FIFA and they couldn't care less. And the football associations that profit from their relationship with FIFA couldn't care less either.

    A mass walkout of UEFA members would be the best option, as they don't really need FIFA that much. The Champions League is on a par with the World Cup and the Euro Champs are not far behind.

    There's an opportunity to end this, now. It depends on how much bottle they have to do it.
     
  32. nascot

    nascot First Team

    Agree. The smaller nations that support Blatter will not survive without the powerful European nations. It does seem like more and more Euro members are disillusioned with FIFA.

    After all the crap the British media and the FA took from FIFA, other FA's and foreign press about corruption in the game, it looks like they had a point. At the time they were labelled racist, jealous and bad losers.
     
  33. Rookery Refugee

    Rookery Refugee Reservist

    From another forum..... Some bloke named PizzaNBeer (I like him already) posted this:

    For those of you perhaps unfamiliar with US law, these charges are more massive than they might appear.

    "The indicted and convicted individual defendants face maximum terms of incarceration of 20 years for the RICO conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, money laundering and obstruction of justice charges. In addition, Eugenio Figueredo faces a maximum term of incarceration of 10 years for a charge of naturalization fraud and could have his U.S. citizenship revoked. He also faces a maximum term of incarceration of five years for each tax charge. Charles Blazer faces a maximum term of incarceration of 10 years for the FBAR charge and five years for the tax evasion charges; and Daryan and Daryll Warner face maximum terms of incarceration of 10 years for structuring financial transactions to evade currency reporting requirements. Each individual defendant also faces mandatory restitution, forfeiture and a fine. By the terms of their plea agreements, the corporate defendants face fines of $500,000 and one year of probation."

    The potential length of the incarceration aside, the big bit is the invoking of RICO. That is shorthand for the Racketeering Influence and Corrupt Organisations act. It's the tool that was used to take down the Mafia families. Essentially, in addition to individuals being liable, it lets them go after the assets of the organisations - and even the families of the criminals. Theoretically, they could pillage FIFA itself.

    They will separate the accused and see who is willing to turn on the others. Those who give evidence against others will get reduced charges and penalties. More people will be charged. The Swiss banks will likely open up their records as well.

    Blatter should be afraid. Very, VERY afraid.
     
  34. Elz

    Elz Reservist

    [​IMG]

    They're going to need a new name for this.
     
  35. Arakel

    Arakel First Team

    The US has broad powers to act against organised crime via the RICO act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act). While this does not give them carte blanche to grab anyone internationally willy nilly, in this case they have former CONCACAAF executive Chuck Blazer (a Yank) working undercover and squealing like a pig after he made a deal with the FBI.

    Thanks to RICO and Blazer's finger pointing/intelligence, the US has firm ground to request extradition of involved FIFA officials to the US in order to face prosecution under RICO.

    Make no mistake, these execs are absolutely fu*ked if it came to this. RICO cases generally require a significant amount of evidence to gain traction, so if the FBI have applied for extradition for these men then they are going to be nailed to the floor.

    As mentioned above, it's only a matter of time before some others start squealing like Blazer, and apparently a few have already copped to it. The whole corrupt organisation is going to come crashing down. I really cannot see Blatter surviving this.

    America has just given the football loving world an absolutely enormous gift.
     

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