World Cup 2018 & 2022 bids

What an odd program. Panorama has is an overrated pile of drivel. All they did was make some allegations which had nothing to do with the bid anyway but with some company. It was all rather dull. If you are going to ruin a bid atleast make it interesting. Well done the BBC and the national media in general.

Also that reporter has the most annoying voice one could hear. Snide buffoon.

Exactly - it was cringeworthy stuff. After their last attempt at a football expose (the Glazer Gnome fiasco), I wasnt expecting much but it was even worse than I possibly imagined.

I really cant understand the decision to show this, for the Beeb to claim this pile of wank was 'in the public interest' is a serious insult to intelligence. Old rehashed info which has absolutely nothing to do with the bidding process at all.

I cant believe that some people are actually defending the media in this case - does anyone seriously think that crap like this will help to get rid of corruption?
 
And i hate panorama, i don't care if FIFA is corrupt to the core i want to see the world cup in England, piss off BBC you bunch of no nothing feck biscuits.

If it's corrupt to the core, don't you think that being so can influence where the world cup goes and where it doesn't? If corruption is rife within FIFA, then it's quite obvious that the corruption can sway decisions including where the World Cup goes. Where the World Cup (which for me is a totally outdated concept in the first place) goes should be judged on merit over several criteria, not on backhanders and politicking.
 
absolutely nothing to do with the bidding process at all.

So people taking backhanders in the past that are still sitting on the executive committee of FIFA, the body that is going to decide who gets the World Cup, has nothing to do with the bidding process at all? Maybe it is a valid insult on your intelligence?

I cant believe that some people are actually defending the media in this case - does anyone seriously think that crap like this will help to get rid of corruption?

If the corruption is not highlighted, then I think that it's quite obvious that it will continue. How else do you want to get rid of it if it's not widely publicised?
 
Can you expand on this, Weaste?

This is not more Football Manager influence is it? ;)

I've never played Football Manager in my life, and have no interest in doing so.

As for the outdated part, I don't want to disrupt the thread, I've stated my views on the validity of International Football in general many times before.
 
So people taking backhanders in the past that are still sitting on the executive committee of FIFA, the body that is going to decide who gets the World Cup, has nothing to do with the bidding process at all? Maybe it is a valid insult on your intelligence?



If the corruption is not highlighted, then I think that it's quite obvious that it will continue. How else do you want to get rid of it if it's not widely publicised?

The point is that it is old news which is nothing to do with the current bid, compare The Times story which was very much about the current process so could be argued to be worthwhile.

The corruption will continue whether it is highlighted or not - you must be extremely naive if you think otherwise.
 
15 million quid apparently the FA has spent on this bid. Where do people think that the FA gets this money from in the first place? Yes, off the back of regular football fans, who quite rightly want to know that when the FA is spending their money, it is being spent on a fair and just process, not being pissed in the wind because of corruption and politicking within FIFA.
 
The corruption will continue whether it is highlighted or not - you must be extremely naive if you think otherwise.

It's you that is naive. The whole point is to bring the issue into the public domain and embarrass the organisation to the level that it is forced to restructure and be totally transparent. Your desire to have the world cup in England at any cost is clouding your judgement.
 
I've never played Football Manager in my life, and have no interest in doing so.

As for the outdated part, I don't want to disrupt the thread, I've stated my views on the validity of International Football in general many times before.

Me either. But I figured you must do, as in another convo a few months ago you thought there was little more to football management than picking the players.

I have never read your views on int'l football, suffice to say that if the players are proud to represent their country, who are we to stop them.

And actually on topic, organisations such as the IOC and Fifa are so inherently corrupt, it's sad to see everyone whoring themselves at their feet.
 
It's you that is naive. The whole point is to bring the issue into the public domain and embarrass the organisation to the level that it is forced to restructure and be totally transparent. Your desire to have the world cup in England at any cost is clouding your judgement.

So you think the Panorama programme will shame FIFA into becoming more transparent? Will it feck.

This issue has already been in the public domian, there is nothing new here. If they had new information it would be different - but they didnt. These were just rehashed stories from years ago which have already been investigated 10 years back.
Like I said, The Times story is totally different as it was more relevant.

If I thought it would make any difference then I would say it was worthwhile, but I dont. The only affect will be a negative impact on our bid, which you rightly point out has had £15m of our money spent on it already and possibly now all pissed away due to the Beeb chasing a few tabloid style-ratings.
 
a few months ago you thought there was little more to football management than picking the players.

No I didn't, don't take what I said out of context. I said that there was a difference between being a good coach and a good manager (with responsibility for buying and selling).
 
No I didn't, don't take what I said out of context. I said that there was a difference between being a good coach and a good manager (with responsibility for buying and selling).

What I thought you said was the team Rafa had for in Valencia 3 years was still not his team as he didn't buy the players. Well, you actually did say that, but I obviously misinterpreted it. Somehow.
 
This is a WC thread - please take your Rafa bollocks elsewhere!

It was more about Football Manager, but point taken.

If the likes of the BBC don't highlight institutional corruption, it will continue unabated ultimately to the detriment of the sport.

Bad timing in the sense that it could well derail England's bid but may do some long term good.
 
It was more about Football Manager, but point taken.

If the likes of the BBC don't highlight institutional corruption, it will continue unabated ultimately to the detriment of the sport.

Bad timing in the sense that it could well derail England's bid but may do some long term good.

Yes it is the timing of it all that really annoys me - after years of work and pots of money being spent on our bid process, I cant possibly understand the need to show 10 year old infomation just 3 days before the final vote.
 
Yes it is the timing of it all that really annoys me - after years of work and pots of money beening spent on our bid process, I cant possibly understand the need to show 10 year old infomation just 3 days before the final vote.

I actually can't understand the timing either. If they feel the information needs to be in the public domain, why not wait a week? It's strange.
 
I actually can't understand the timing either. If they feel the information needs to be in the public domain, why not wait a week? It's strange.

Very strange - like I said, if it was brand new info that just came to light then I could possibly understand it, but it is mostly very old news.
It is hardly a revelation that FIFA and its bid process is full of politics and corruption - if the Beeb wanted to expose this then why not 2 years ago before the FA went and spunked millions on the bid? Or like you say, just wait a couple of weeks and do it then.
I just find the whole thing very frustrating really.

Edit: Just realised that I am sounding a bit like David Cameron here, which cant be good !
World Cup 2018: David Cameron 'Frustrated' By BBC Panorama Documentary Criticising Fifa | UK News | Sky News
 
IOC to examine Fifa bribe claims

30 November 2010 Last updated at 09:58

The International Olympic Committee is to investigate BBC claims of corruption against Fifa Vice-President Issa Hayatou, also an IOC member, it says.

It has asked the BBC to give any evidence of alleged bribes taken by Fifa executives, following the screening of its Panorama programme.

Panorama alleged Mr Hayatou and two other Fifa officials voting on World Cup bids took bribes in the 1990s.

Fifa, world football's governing body, has dismissed the claims.

The IOC has said it will refer the matter to its ethics commission.

"The IOC has taken note of the allegations made by BBC Panorama and will ask the programme makers to pass on any evidence they may have to the appropriate authorities. The IOC has a zero tolerance against corruption and will refer the matter to the IOC Ethics Commission," it said.

On Tuesday, Fifa issued a statement, saying the allegations referred to events that had taken place before the year 2000 and had been investigated by the Swiss authorities.

"In its verdict of 26 June 2008, the Criminal Court of Zug had not convicted any Fifa officials. It is therefore important to stress again the fact that no Fifa officials were accused of any criminal offence in these proceedings."

The BBC Panorama, broadcast on Monday, alleged that Fifa officials Issa Hayatou, Nicolas Leoz and Ricardo Teixeira took bribes from a sport marketing firm which awarded lucrative World Cup rights.

The men will vote on the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.

They have not responded to Panorama's allegations.

England is competing with Russia, Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium to host the 2018 tournament.
BBC news....along with this.....

BBC defends Panorama investigation into Fifa 'bribes'

The BBC stood by its decision to air the allegations ahead of Thursday's vote in Zurich.

Clive Edwards, executive editor of current affairs, told Radio 4's Today programme that Panorama had received a list showing the alleged payment of bribes three weeks ago, and had spent the intervening time checking the claims and putting them to those named.

Mr Edwards added Panorama presented its evidence to Fifa on 10 November.

"Some people have said that it would have been better to do it after the vote but it is surely nonsense to suggest that you know a process could be flawed and you don't say anything until after it has happened," Mr Edwards said.

"I am not prepared to sit on information we have. I believe that it is in everyone's interest that there should be a fair process and that corruption should be exposed."

BBC News - BBC defends Panorama investigation into Fifa 'bribes'
It's a long article so I've only taken this extract.
 
What i reckon our bid team should do is go round all the FIFA Execs and tell them that if they dont vote for England on Thursday then they are going set our tabloid media on them - that'll shit them up!

We know it is all about politics and dodgy dealings so maybe it is about time we got involved in it all :angel:

I look at the timing of all this and just think there must be more going on here than we expect - the BBC say they received this info a few weeks ago (I didnt know that to be fair), who sent it to them? Hmmm ...
 
What does it have to do with the Olympic Committee?

The same shady bloke is a FIFA Exec and an IOC Member

I think he was the one who told the Panorama reporter that he would spit on him but that it would be a waste of spit (or something to that effect) :lol:

Edit: Actually that was Warner ...
The most entertaining encounter was with Jack Warner, who is no stranger to being badgered by reporters, and is David Cameron's lunch guest today. After Jennings accompanied him through an airport, Warner informed the reporter that he would spit on him before changing his mind and informing his pursuer: "I would not dignify you with my spit. You're garbage."​
Panorama programme: 'I would not dignify you with my spit. You're garbage' - News & Comment, Football - The Independent
 
He's also on the IOC, so any thoughts that he should be taking bribes in one puts his integrity under the spotlight.

The same shady bloke is a FIFA Exec and an IOC Member

I think he was the one who told the Panorama reporter that he would spit on him but that it would be a waste of spit (or something to that effect) :lol:

Edit: Actually that was Warner ...
The most entertaining encounter was with Jack Warner, who is no stranger to being badgered by reporters, and is David Cameron's lunch guest today. After Jennings accompanied him through an airport, Warner informed the reporter that he would spit on him before changing his mind and informing his pursuer: "I would not dignify you with my spit. You're garbage."​
Panorama programme: 'I would not dignify you with my spit. You're garbage' - News & Comment, Football - The Independent

Ah right, cheers, missed the documentary. That is a superb line.
 
My view is summed up by one of the comments after that article:

"To anyone who takes an interest there was absolutely nothing new in the programme which is simply the latest in a pathetic line of attempts to use the profile of football to boost the fortunes of a flagging series (and channel).

Yes Fifa are corrupt but anybody with half a brain knew that before we started bidding
(long,long before!!) so why waste all that time and energy if we didn't want want to deal with them.
It would be bad enough if this own goal had been perpetrated by one of the tabloids but for it to have been done by a publically funded organisation when so much of our money has been spent on the bid borders on criminal."​
 
If corruption is that rife within FIFA, then we were never going to get the tournament in the first place, as I can't see the FA giving anyone backhanders. So what's the problem with the timing of it? So much of our money would be down the drain in any case because we never stood a real chance in the first place.
 
If corruption is that rife within FIFA, then we were never going to get the tournament in the first place, as I can't see the FA giving anyone backhanders. So what's the problem with the timing of it? So much of our money would be down the drain in any case because we never stood a real chance in the first place.

Exactly, and if we had got it then it would be proof of corruption from our lot.

But no, we were capable of getting it without corruption, and only we could.
 
The votes were decided long ago, all this last minute handshaking and panic is pointless, The England bid died when Lord Triesman or whatever he's called said the Russian and Spainish/portugese bids were bribing. Last nights Panorama, The Times sting will have had no bearing on it whatsoever.
 
As far as I see it England would have put in a very good bid. We are as near perfect as it gets for holding the WC.

We have the best and most exciting football league in the world, we have all the stadia and infrastructure in place. No travelling problems for fans...won't take them long to travel between cities. We would have virtually guaranteed ticket sales for the matches....providing the tickets go to the appropriate bodies that is. We have ample hotel facilities. We have mild weather giving ideal playing conditions for all teams. We are the home of football.

Some things might need improving but it won't be much. If we lose this bid it won't be because we aren't the best option. If the best option does lose the bid though there's going to be just cause for even more questions to be levelled at FIFA and their selection process.

Maybe the BBC timed this correctly. Showing it after we lost the bid would just have made their programme look like sour grapes. Showing it before the bid results may make FIFA members think twice about the quality of the various bids......as opposed to any other influencing factors.......and vote accordingly.

I can't help but think that if I had taken a bribe for my vote I'd be feeling mighty twitchy about it right now.
 
As an aside, it seems a bit more than coincidence that the BBC should obtain new information about 10 year old corruption with just enough time to investigate and make a program about it before the vote.

Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if this information actually came from a rival bidder knowing the british media are stupid enough to run with it.
 
As an aside, it seems a bit more than coincidence that the BBC should obtain new information about 10 year old corruption with just enough time to investigate and make a program about it before the vote.

Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if this information actually came from a rival bidder knowing the british media are stupid enough to run with it.

They're(Panaroma) not stupid but sensationalists, and only care about viewing figures...this just happened to be the right time to air the programme.
 
Don't want the World Cup - FIFA need a serious shake up from top to bottom, and I am not comfortable with the price nations have to pay to make FIFA even more money.