Blatter resigns

[lucy]

Sepp Blatter has tonight resigned. A good thing i think.

[Frosty]

The Empire is crumbling fast ............

[arana peligrosa]

Hadn't kept all up on it although was aware of the situation and it was only a matter of time before Mr Blatter made way. Heard something about how the English are now one of the favorites to host World Cup '18 but hasn't that already gone to Russia ?. Point being, Blatter resignation or not, don't see how they can change something of that magnitude after it's already been decided.

[Shed on tour]

Hadn't kept all up on it although was aware of the situation and it was only a matter of time before Mr Blatter made way. Heard something about how the English are now one of the favorites to host World Cup '18 but hasn't that already gone to Russia ?. Point being, Blatter resignation or not, don't see how they can change something of that magnitude after it's already been decided.

Think it is a safe bet that Russia will keep it's World Cup whatever comes out regarding the bids for 2018 and 2022.
It's less than 2 months for the draw for the qualifying rounds and even if the tournament was taken away from Russia it only gives another country 3 years to prepare for it and the cost is also a major factor. Only a few countries in the world have sufficent stadia already built and even some of them would need significant refurbishment.
Imo it is more likely that Quatar could lose the tournament if it is proved that widespread corruption took place during the bidding process.
As for Sceptic all I can say is good riddance.

[hallamblue]

FIFA, rotten to the core. Disband the whole thing, and start again.

[marko69]

Hopefully the new President can restore some credibility to the organisation and our game. Don't like our sport, football (or soccer) being brought down. People who watch baseball having a laugh at soccer! REALLY?

Note to new FIFA committee, (once the dust settles) ; straight red for diving in the box. Make it the rule, and our game is 100% clean.

For the record, I personally have no issue with Russia 18. If that was decided due to bribes then obviously relocate that, but Russia would've been an ok World Cup. Shed on Tour may say different, "NO, IT RAINS TOO MUCH!"

Hoping Qatar is changed though. Sure it will be. I heard a rumour that it's being held in the UK......, with the 3rd/4th play off being held at Station Park in Forfar.

[Shed on tour]

Hopefully the new President can restore some credibility to the organisation and our game. Don't like our sport, football (or soccer) being brought down. People who watch baseball having a laugh at soccer! REALLY?

Note to new FIFA committee, (once the dust settles) ; straight red for diving in the box. Make it the rule, and our game is 100% clean.

For the record, I personally have no issue with Russia 18. If that was decided due to bribes then obviously relocate that, but Russia would've been an ok World Cup. Shed on Tour may say different, "NO, IT RAINS TOO MUCH!"

Hoping Qatar is changed though. Sure it will be. I heard a rumour that it's being held in the UK......, with the 3rd/4th play off being held at Station Park in Forfar.

Marko,

Have many memories from our trip to Moscow in 2007 for the Euro 2008 qualifier, some good, some not so good.
Don't think I would want to go back to Moscow but if we qualify and were drawn to play in St Petersburg would definitely consider going there.
As for it raining too much, that is why I'm going to Dublin this weekend to get used to it!

[The Don]

Finally, some fecking justice.

Russia will be safe. I never actually had an issue with Russia hosting it. At least it's a footballing country, despite the widespread violence and racism.

I can't remember where I heard it, may have been through work, but I believe England is Uefa's reserve country. From everyone available, England has the ability to step in and host a tournament at short notice. Something like 6 months, should a major disaster occur. We have the infrastructure and stadiums in place already and are more capable of making the small changes needed in that time should it ever happen.

Maybe that will sit well with the new "FIFA"

[marko69]

Don't forget us North of the border Don. Easter Road could host a Trinidad & Tobassco v Kuwait game.

Which is quite fitting actually because the pies are so good, there is a "Ku" and you must "Wait".

[Dubai Blue]

Don't see any hope of them changing either 2018 or 2022 regardless of the possible investigation. Too much money has been spent and the compensation claims would be long and expensive, probably take us past 2022 anyway. The focus has to be on the 2026 one.

You may not agree with me about 2022 but you would have to go there to see the massive amounts of money being spent on infrastructure and development primarily based on the 2022 WC.

Pretty happy to see Blatter go but worried that there are too many vested interests to make a proper revolution. We will see.....

[arana peligrosa]

Don't forget us North of the border Don. Easter Road could host a Trinidad & Tobassco v Kuwait game.

Which is quite fitting actually because the pies are so good, there is a "Ku" and you must "Wait".

Believe they had ideas for a co-host with Northern Ireland but any plans became dead in the water. Got some decent stadia but Ibrox, Parkhead, Hampden, Windsor Park aside there really isn't the capacity for attendance.

Got no issue with Russia hosting the event as planned, there is some adequate stadia over there and Moscow has held major soccer events before so good enough for a final.

The Qatar decision does deserve some amendment however. Holding the worlds greatest sporting event in a country so inadequate for a competition of such magnitude, it was an asinine choice right from the start.

[number 9]

I wouldn't be surprised if Blatter ends up becoming Qatar's Director of Football. I guarantee he has an ulterior motive for quitting...his decision probably has more to do with pressure from the sponsors. I'll never trust that bloke. I think the first thing on the new president's agenda should be a re-vote on the 2022 WC. Clearly if there's proof of bribery, Qatar should be stripped of the WC!

[Bluemike]

String the b*stard up I say.

Marko, I will be at Station park should that scenario arise LOL.

[Ohiotractorboy]

I think Russia is safe. As far as Qatar, who in their right mind would put a World Cup in a country with no soccer and 130 degree F days? Oh yeah, FIFA and the $5 million dollar+ bribe.

Reports are 900 workers have died building the stadiums so far, and they are on pace to total about 4,000 deaths. This in a country where the workers are, in essence, indentured workers. Can see this quagmire losing the Cup in 22.

America certainly has the stadiums to host it, with 30 NFL stadiums holding over 60,000. I don't see that happening though...

[hallamblue]

I wouldn't be surprised if the FBI bring charges against Blatter , and he does time.

[Ohiotractorboy]

I wouldn't be surprised if the FBI bring charges against Blatter , and he does time.

Me either. To be honest, reading the charges so far is like reading an indictment against a mafia family.

[Charnwood]

I can't believe Blatter has stayed in post for as long as he has.

But then the words "bribe & corruption" come back to mind.

He was first linked with bribery and corruption in 1998 when he was first elected President of FIFA. This came to light during the 2002 elections when the vice-president of the Confederation of African Football and president of the Somali Football Federation both claimed to have been offered $100,000 to vote for Blatter. Ever since then Blatter has been linked with continuous rumours of financial irregularities and backroom dealings.

Given the fact that he's now 79, I hope he ends up with a long prison sentence so he gets no time to enjoy spending all his bribe money, I'd also like to see him stripped of all his assets that can be linked to his criminal earnings.

Rot in hell Blatter.

[ipswichtownNo1]

I can't believe Blatter has stayed in post for as long as he has.

But then the words "bribe & corruption" come back to mind.

He was first linked with bribery and corruption in 1998 when he was first elected President of FIFA. This came to light during the 2002 elections when the vice-president of the Confederation of African Football and president of the Somali Football Federation both claimed to have been offered $100,000 to vote for Blatter. Ever since then Blatter has been linked with continuous rumours of financial irregularities and backroom dealings.

Given the fact that he's now 79, I hope he ends up with a long prison sentence so he gets no time to enjoy spending all his bribe money, I'd also like to see him stripped of all his assets that can be linked to his criminal earnings.

Rot in hell Blatter.

FIFA- Federal Investigation Fu@ks em All

About time too, theiving whatsits. Lets see you buy your way OUT of something for a change Mr Blatter.

[Bluemike]

It's quite funny how everything all of us have known for years is now making massive worldwide headlines LOL.

[Watership Down]

Unfortunately it goes deeper than FIFA, it's the Olympic Committee, and a lot of the governing bodies who decide where games will be played. They are all ripe for backhanders. Jack Warner was given 10 million to help the Caribbean FA........ I wonder if that happened