Time to press the ‘reset’ button
National Post readers respond to the question: “Do the recent arrest of FIFA executives point to the beginning of the end for the behemoth soccer federation?”
Bond vs. Blatter
One would like to think that the arrests of the FIFA executives would topple this nefarious organization. However, it is so intertwined with high-ranking heads of state, many of which are questionable themselves, I would not hold my breath. Speaking of this outrageous outfit, they and their now-former head would be the perfect nemesis in the next Bond flick. Think about it: James taking on FIFA and the villainous Sepp Blatter.
Stephen Flanagan, Ottawa.
What did Blatter know, and when?
What is wrong with this picture? For years, it seems that people in the soccer world, maybe going back to the late 1990s when Sepp Blatter became president, have speculated about the corruption in the top management of FIFA. Maybe it actually started later? Which is worse, I wonder, FIFA or the International Olympic Committee? More unbelievable was that after a number of people were arrested and charged with corruption, FIFA members actually re-elected Blatter. Are there really people out there who believe that the president of an organization for over 15 years didn’t know about what was going on?
Lloyd Creech, Penticton, B.C.
Need to start all over
While corrupt regimes and the Vladimir Putins are happy with the way thing are, there is little evidence, or interest, in any significant change taking place. The top man of FIFA had no problem keeping his job (at least, for four days), with a majority of votes from its members, even after this scandal was headline news all over the world. If FIFA executives are found guilty of corruption, they could easily be replaced with equally corrupt executives, by equally corrupt regimes. The only hope is to press the reset button, and start all over again.
Fred Perry, Surrey, B.C.
Power corrupts
The big bosses of a big business — be it oil, banks or sports — tend to coalesce into a powerful clique who believe they are above the law. Recently, five major banks were fined $5 billion for market-rigging. Nothing will change unless these arrogant tycoons are given prison time as well as fines. The FIFA power-clique should be terminated. As Lord Acton observed: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
William Bedford, Newmarket, Ont.
A new FIFA is coming
Yes, this might be the end, and kudos to the FBI for arresting the FIFA executives. The actions of this dishonourable federation have culminated in South Africa, revealing an alleged bribe of a $10-million World Cup. Undoubtedly, there were even greater sums exchanged for Qatar, a country totally unsuitable to host the 2022 games. These FIFA executives seem to have stuffed their Swiss bank accounts while ignoring the well-being of the soccer players they represented. It appears as though absolute greed, avarice and blackmail prevailed, leaving a trail of money and broken dreams. These corrupt FIFA suits will be brought to justice, and a new, transparent FIFA will emerge to run the affairs of the best soccer players throughout the world.
Madeleine Wannop Ross Salter, Stoney Creek, Ont.
Two divisions for world soccer
I do not believe that FIFA will, or should, survive in its present form. It is ridiculous to think that so much power and influence has been exerted over so many by a single, historically corrupt organization. I would suggest two divisions for world soccer, each to square off with the two winners to play for the world title. I would add that if the money trail leads to match-fixing, world soccer will take serious hit.
Robert McLachlan, St. Catharines, Ont.
Bring on the reform
Bureaucracies corrupt and absolute bureaucracies corrupt absolutely. Folks are realizing that any governing organization eventually becomes corrupt and self-serving. The last authoritarian experiment ran into the early 1600s, when common sense became popular enough to prompt a great reformation. Reformation included ending church/state political murder as well as government “sciences.” Astrology became astronomy, alchemy became chemistry and the Earth-centric solar system became heliocentric. As for nowadays, reforming FIFA, IOC and the United Nations would be a nice start.
Bob Hoye, Vancouver.
Poor Brazil
The answer is no, this is not the end for FIFA. The arrests and the resignation of Sepp Blatter are window-dressing: FIFA will go on. There’s just too much money to be made. The question is, why does the public support these corrupt sports bodies and their five-ring circuses? And wretched as FIFA may be, just remember that the International Olympic Committee is the true champion of graft. Poor Brazil! First the financial hangover from the World Cup, and now the Olympics. A recent National Post story said it all: Rio’s poorest are being evicted for a sports circus they will see no benefit from.
Andrew van Velzen, Toronto.