Heil Sepp Blatter — Uf Widerleuge
It is a couple of weeks since Josef Sepp Blatter was forced to announce his resignation as the President of the “World”. The sigh of relief and shock with which the decision has been felt everywhere football is played are yet to die down. Interesting developments each day have kept the news very current. My blog deems it fit to wish Blatter goodbye in the appropriate language to a man who is Swiss-German and has ruled over an animated crowd of 80 million people.
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Adored by some and hated by the vast majority, Blatter for 17 years has been FIFA. His era is cast in bronze and sport historians may well refer to the year 2015 as Ad blatter. Surely football will continue to thrive but, for better or worse, there will be something missing on the rotten side.
Everything about the man, Sepp Blatter appears Napoleonic. Never mind that the eras of the two characters are separated by two full centuries. Look at his beguiling short height and unattractive physical presence, Napoleon Bonaparte, like Blatter, was dwarfed by all his generals but he had absolute control. He committed some monumental blunders in strategy but he was winning his wars till Waterloo.
FIFA Structure
The FIFA structure of six Regional Federations each headed by a President, has enabled Blatter to run the world body with an iron fist. All he needs are docile presidents who are at his beck and call. Again, at the head office in Zurich FIFA has made sure that the Executive Committee is made up of characters such as the Jack Warners who would act on cue from Blatter. He has enjoyed such long tenure because of the FIFA structure that assured him of a firm support base.
Allegations of corruption
Over many years when one looked at FIFA, it appeared neither fish nor fowl and it smelt neither dawadawa nor koobi. But recent revelations show that the Swiss legislature had warned Blatter and Co. on several occasions that the stench was emanating from their own heads and that they better clean up their acts. They turned deaf ears. Now that the FBI has moved and the Swiss legislature is acting firmly on this amorphous organisation the true facts are bound to come out in black and white for all to see.
Source of corruption
The practice of paying bribes for World Cup hosting rights has long been whispered. In this regard, the current FBI investigations are focusing on bribes and kickbacks that flew around for the hosting rights of South Africa 2010. This scheme involves the serious crime of money laundering. Already, some characters involved have started singing.
Simultaneously, another investigation is being launched into allegations about Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. As swiftly, the Swiss Legislature is also introducing a bill to deal with the “association” status of FIFA that has enabled her freedom to indulge in practices that are not allowed for some other bodies under Swiss law.
Other matters
Other serious matters such as commercial and broadcasting rights which are alleged to be offered cheaply to organisations run by cronies are also being hinted at. World conglomerates such as Coca Cola, Adidas, Emirates and other World Cup sponsors may have nothing to fear but it is prudent to be nervous. Their relationships with FIFA may not be the same again.
Impact on Regional and Local FAs
All the current investigations and subsequent prosecutions would amount to nothing if they are not followed with reforms. The effect of such reforms on CAF, GFA and local federations must not be overlooked.
Taking a cue from the Swiss and the Americans, local legislation will effectively stop the arrogance of flashing a Zurich red card in the face of lawmakers. The Justice Dzamefe Commission has thrown a searchlight in that direction.
Who succeeds Blatter on December 16?
Blatter’s replacement, like it or not, unfortunately, will be a Blatter protégé. He will be a character who believes in Blatter’s policy of feeding and nurturing soccer in CONCAF, CAF and ASIAN regarded as the poor FIFA two-thirds. They - and not rich, arrogant UEFA - have become the kingmakers by the votes they hold:
ASIAN: 46; CAF: 54; CONCAF: 41; CONMEBOL: 10; OCEANIA: 11; UEFA: 53
The new FIFA President must be committed to real reforms, not cosmetic changes. He has no choice.
But what do we hear now? Blatter is rumoured to be considering un-resigning following support from CAF and ASIAN. He will agree to stand again for election if, in his opinion, no suitable candidate emerges. Well, the autocrat of Zurich is getting his strategy awfully wrong on advice from the sycophants with a past to protect. Clearly, Blatter is a Napoleon misled by his generals with big appetite for spoils to invade Russia in bleak winter. This is a miscalculation of the mood of the decent world. In the name of the fans, he must go.
frazierjoek@gmail.com
(Author: Blame not the Darkness; Akora; The Sissain Bridge)