Wall Street Journal (June 9)
With the unfolding FIFA scandal, the legitimacy of Russia’s successful bid to host the World Cub may be called into question. To some, the bribery is irrelevant. “Why not at least threaten a boycott of the Cup for as long as Russian troops remain in Ukraine? The average Russian couldn’t care less that the deputy prime minister is under international sanctions for Moscow’s seizure of Crimea. But soccer-mad Russians would care, a lot, if the games were taken from them.”
The Guardian (June 5)
“Try telling Sepp Blatter we live in a post-American world.” Talk of a “multipolar world” can be overdone. The role of the U.S. in taking on FIFA and deposing its long time leader “is a stark and very public reversal of the familiar narrative of America losing its clout in global affairs. All of a sudden, talk of a post-American world seems less convincing.”
Tags: Clout, FIFA, Global affairs, Multipolar, Post-American world, Sepp Blatter, U.S.
USA Today (May 29)
The work of U.S. federal prosecutors “will not be done until they find a way to force the soccer governing body to enact meaningful reforms and get rid of leaders who, at the very least, tolerated the corruption.”
Tags: Corruption, FIFA, Governing, Leaders, Prosecutors, Reforms, Soccer, U.S.
Financial Times (June 4)
Just as the World Cup is about to kick off in Brazil “the prestige sporting event has been tarnished by allegations of corruption at Fifa, world football’s governing body, over the choice of Qatar to host the 2022 competition.” But alleged bribes are hardly Fifa’s first red card. “Fifa is a body that has been mired in corruption allegations for so long – and which has been so lame in mending its shoddy governance – that it demands a complete overhaul.”
Tags: 2022, Allegations, Brazil, Corruption, FIFA, Football, Governance, Overhaul, Qatar, Soccer, World Cup
Wall Street Journal (December 3)
FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, “makes the United Nations seem like a model—well, almost—of transparency and good governance. Even the International Olympic Committee, no stranger to corruption and foul play, benefits by comparison.” The Journal is upset by recent allegations of vote buying and collusion in site selection, which may have benefitted Russia and Qatar at the expense of the UK and the U.S.
Wall Street Journal (June 25)
The stakes are high for the North Korean World Cup team. Their 7-0 defeat by Portugal was shown live on North Korean TV. Dear Leader could not have been pleased. During their next game against Ivory Coast, the team “may literally be playing for their lives.” If they lose, the WSJ believes the coach and players should be offered asylum so they don’t have to return to North Korea and face the awful consequences.
Tags: Asylum, FIFA, North Korea, Soccer, World Cup
The Chosun Ilbo (June 21)
Win or lose, North Korea will gain at least $10 million from FIFA for its World Cup appearance. If the North advances to the next round, the figure will rise. This money is significant to the North. $10 million is equivalent to three-months of wages for the 43,000 North Koreans who work in the Kaesong Industrial Complex.
Tags: FIFA, North Korea, Soccer, World Cup
Los Angeles Times (May 30)
The World Cup may offer a chance to shame North Korea where soccer is the number one sport. For the first time in 44 years, North Korea has qualified for the World Cup. While FIFA is unlikely to bar North Korea from the games, teams and individual players could use non-compulsory equipment, such as armbands or wristbands, to protest. Non-compulsory equipment could be emblazoned with the number 46, representing the lives of the South Korean sailors killed on the Cheonan.
The World Cup may offer a chance to shame North Korea where soccer is the number one sport. For the first time in 44 years, North Korea has qualified for the World Cup. While FIFA is unlikely to bar North Korea from the games, teams and individual players could use non-compulsory equipment, such as armbands or wristbands, to protest. Non-compulsory equipment could be emblazoned with the number 46, representing the lives of the South Korean sailors killed on the Cheonan.
Tags: FIFA, North Korea, World Cup
