Sepp Blatter offside: What an incentive for racists!!

In a conflict between the hammer and a nail, the fingers can never be good mediators for obvious reasons. And how the solution lies with the behaviour of the nail when hammered, I just don't know.

The recent racism incident of former Portsmouth and Tottenham player, Kevin Prince Boateng saw him lead his team-mates off the pitch during a match at Pro Patria. He was subjected to racist chanting from a section of the home fans and he insisted he would walk off again in any competitive match under similar circumstances. This is the aggrieved man speaking.

However, speaking at a conference in the Middle East, Fifa boss Joseph S. Blatter said Boateng's actions were wrong. Wow. He tried to explain how there must be a "zero tolerance" approach to racism but suggested that clubs should have to forfeit matches if their players force the abandonment of a match, whatever the reason.

"I don't think you can run away, because then the team should have to forfeit the match. This issue is a very touchy subject, but I repeat there is zero tolerance of racism in the stadium, we have to go against that.
"The only solution is to be very harsh with the sanctions (against racism) - and the sanctions must be a deduction of points or something similar."

Like all football players, Fifa is their home and Blatter their father. What Blatter is advising his children is to stand up tight and upright when the train approaches and never run away. What advise! I gave the football boss the benefit of the doubt with his 'handshake' story, but now, this is totally out of line.

Racial abuse is extremely traumatic and the reaction of the victims cannot be pre-programmed. It is one thing to deal with the racists and yet another to advise the victims on how to react. It is not the black players who are a problem and they are not the solution. They will never be part of the solution unless they banned to play.

Blatter misfired big time on this one. Leave the black players alone and deal with racists. This should be the focus of action by whoever runs the game anywhere. It does not matter how the victims behave. They must not be abused to start with. I agree that under all circumstances, the black players are responsible for their behaviour and actions in racial abuse cases, but they committed no wrong by being exposed to the elements.

How Fifa and Blatter could begin to say an abused player should have or should not have done is tantamount to condoning the racist acts while telling the world of the 'zero tolerance' to racism. It is bitterly disappointing that this is all that can be said and done.

Trying to elaborate on the moral of his argument, he said teams would lose points or forfeit the matches for causing abandonment. Who would be the cause of abandonment in such cases? The teams with black players would lose an abused players and be disjointed by the racist behaviour of other teams' supporters and fans, and then forfeit the match for that reason. What happens to the offending clubs? What an incentive for racists!!

The concern for Fifa should be the solution to the root cause, to ensure it does not happen. It sounds like calling white people to like black people. While they must, they do not have to. All they must do is to keep it to themselves, especially in stadia. Actually, some abusive team supporters have black players at their clubs. They cease to see these stars as black because they slave for the clubs.

Clubs that exhibit the hatred of blacks must be the ones to bear the brunt and wrath of the law and rules, not the victims, not the behaved and law abiding clubs and teams. No matter the excitement, I think the issue will be reported as having been taken out of context elsewhere soon, but either way, the position of the Fifa President is a careless one big time.



   

Race verdict slap on the wrist to Luis Suarez

From www.footballfigures.com

Frankly Luis Suarez’s 8 match ban and a few coins for his alleged racial utterances has been a hot topic. The guilty verdict has not been taken lightly by the club and its fans. It could be that his bosses believe he is innocent, or they think there is a conspiracy to do their resurgent game down.

I actually think no matter how guilty Suarez was, they would hurt because the Uruguayan is the best thing that has ever happened to them since Steven G. Liverpool and their fans would make the same noise had it been their player who suffered the crippling damage from another player, assuming it was a leg breaking tackle from Patrice Evra.

The debate of whether this or that was said by Suarez to Evra has been bringing insinuations of the credibility of the offended, which is racist in itself. Let’s accept the verdict is out and Suarez is guilty. The question of being racist and saying something racist is being thrown into the fray by commenting fans and pundits alike.

This depends on the level of interaction on the involved parties but nobody reports a case unless they feel aggrieved and this occurs in tense and serious situations.

I do not intend to get into the merits and demerits of racism, but on the actual case and verdict. The Reds are cry-babies. They may be covering for the FA, who I feel are a let down. Suarez deserved a harsh sentence for his acts. Liverpool are concerned about his irreplaceability in their line up than having a case as a barometer for future references.

Suarez should have been banned for the rest of the season mainly to set precedence. I am not writing FA laws or advising the FA board on their affairs. Maybe it is the ceiling for their system. At this point, I am left with no option but advise Evra.

The French defender should press criminal charges and have Suarez locked up. It could be that the territorial laws are also generous to drive the point home.

Given the fact that these are high profile players in the world’s most popular sport, this case needed high profile attention to deter those with a tendency, that racial tendency to undermine Africans. In that case, hauling Suarez to the Hague would get everyone talking.

I am not saying Evra will not do this. There is time for Suarez to appeal and Evra has not said he is ok with it, if it is within his right to accept the verdict as fair or pardon the offender.

John Terry’s case is also being looked at, hence there is a tense atmosphere and for now, all we can do is hope for his innocence. We would not love to see two players mingling with politicians at the Hague, but racism, is a political crime for me. This will be the only language the perpetrators will hear.

In all this, I should have been stressing that Suarez’s appeal is pending, meaning he deserved less crucifying than I am doing now and I apologise. All this is meant to be, is to highlight the criminology of the case, if the judgement is upheld.

Judging from the child-like behaviour and reaction of Liverpool, Suarez will not even lose his dues from the team and they will pay his fine. This makes Suarez feel nothing for the crime committed, again, if the judgement is upheld after appeal.

It sounds like the team will take the punch for the player and that sends a message about the team’s view of racism in general. Shouldn’t they view this as injustice and discrimination committed by their player against another, than a give an impression that this a farce?

I put it this way, given their opinion that the accusation by Evra was not credible while citing other previous racial cases they claim unfounded. This reference is flawed because Evra never lodged complaints himself.

Three or four seasons ago, a lip reader said a certain Steve Finnan racially abused Evra while Sir Alex Ferguson’s staff of Mike Phelan and Richard Hartis at Stanford Bridge also said they heard a Chelsea groundsman insult Patrice Evra.

The problem for me is how suddenly Suarez is turning from ‘accused-found-guilty’ to a victim by both the club and fans. Evra is and must always remain a victim regardless of opinion and verdict. This is not to say whatever he says goes. According to the merits of the report, Suarez should have lodged a complaint before Evra did, to say that he reports a case of being a victim of Evra’s complaint.

At a closer look, this saga has shown a desensitised take on the racial attitudes in the game. I think there will be more to say after the John Terry  verdict, though we must note and acknowledge the difference between the two cases, but the FA, having called for the resignation of Sepp Blatter after the FIFA boss is alleged to have said there is no racism in football, will want to be seen as taking a tougher stand.

As said earlier on, a tougher stand is never just 8 games for a serious and criminal case of racism in football.  

EXTRA TIME with Vusumuzi Mourinho Ndlovu - Is FIFA shifting goalposts

Naturalisation is taking centre stage mostly in Europe but much to my surprise FIFA seems to be the catalyst on this deed.

If this trend is anything to go by, then there is certainly a method to ensure that you never hit a dry spell talent-wise because you can always import players you may need for particular positions.

Article 18 of FIFA’s Laws reads: Any player who is a naturalised citizen of a country by virtue of that country’s laws shall be eligible to play for that national or representative team of that country. FIFA does not care if a nation grants citizenship on basis of parentage, regardless of place of birth. If a player is deemed citizen under a particular country’s law, he is eligible to play for that country.

Players with dual nationality, who had already played for a country’s national team at junior levels were only allowed to switch loyalties until the age of 21. The age limit has been removed but players who have played for the senior national team are barred from switching.

Recently, Brazilian born Internationale Milan midfielder Thiago Motta fired in a winner for Italy’s European championships qualifier against Slovenia. With less than 5 years playing or living in Italy, Motta got the Italian citizenship because of his grandfather who was an Italian.

However, Motta’s case baffles in that he has 2 senior caps with Brazil. Having played for their U-17, he played for Brazil at the 2003 CONCACAF GOLD CUP. Due to the fact that the Selecao was participating in the FIFA Confederations Cup, Brazil sent an U-23 team to represent them at the GOLD CUP. Motta was part of that U-23 team that that played as a senior national team.

The Azzuri capitalised on Dunga’s reluctance to select Motta for Brazil and hooked him up. They probably dangled a sweet juicy carrot in front of him. Who knows? With the absence of Andrea Pirlo, Motta may form a formidable partnership with Danielle de Rossi in the engine room. Cesare Prandelli, the Azzuri coach recently said, “Motta has maintained the Brazilian technique and acquired a European mentality.

As to how Motta plays for Italy after playing for Brazil remains a puzzle that can only be solved by the Zurich based Sepp Blatter led federation.

FIFA, money, grass and roots

  
FIFA President, Joseph Blatter has offered to resign in 2014 if re-elected. In other words, he must be re-elected at all costs in June 2011. Less serious is the fact that if not re-elected, he will not quit. Then, there must be another no fly zone declared until he goes.

Talking about costs, FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke announced on Monday in Johannesburg, South Africa, that due to a very successful South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup, member associations in Africa will pocket US$800, 000 bonus each from the federation and a further annual US$250, 000 development grant.

He explained how good business it was doing business in the jungle of Africa, calling it 'a huge success from all fronts' and 'was not the financial failure that some people claimed it would be.' It is a welcome gesture to see the money being planted back to African football development.

It is traditional that the money will be channelled towards the development of football at grassroots level. The issue here will be the channelling. Usually it gets tunnelled in bottomless pits and develops into 'insufficient funds' projects that turn into white elephants. These elephants should actually be termed black since they are the Dark Continent species.

In the process, there is always great desire to fund football development from grassroots by African associations. Usually, there is no grass to see here. Football is always done on rock-hard surfaces. Villages and academies have been claimed to be 'on schedule' being developed. I think this is where the trick is. They are always at root level.

FIFA has done a great job in getting this money into capable hands, as you and I would blow it away overnight buying football equipment. We would probably get rooted into projects that generate interest among the youth too quickly due to lack of red-tape, but then, you need roots to establish a very strong base for any foundation, like building a house on a rock and not sand.

Could Sepp be trying to buy Africa votes here, or Valcke fancies himself a successor in the FIFA presidency?

Is This The Way For FIFA To Go?

The contemplation of FIFA to scrap the extra time for the FIFA World Cup, should be made global. FIFA, who are expected to go into an IFAB meeting this October 2010, to discuss among other football issues, the much talked about goal-line video technology, has proposed through President Sepp Blatter, either going into extra time after 90 minutes or revisit the golden rule, where the team that scores the first goal in extra time wins the match.

My view is that there should never be extra time at all anywhere for whatever reason. There must never be drawn matches even in leagues matches. Sepp Blatter saw the growth in the business revenue graph of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but the goal tally was inferior to the previous tournaments. Any idea of encouraging forward thinking football is welcome. Personally, teams during the World Cup practised anti-football tactics and played not to lose. The idea of encouraging positive forward thinking football is welcome.

Blatter is of the opinion of even bringing back the sudden death end game in extra time. To me the golden goal rule must never return. After the 90 minutes, sponsors do not want to pay extra air time for TV and other advertisers who bought space after matches need to be accommodated. People who drive long distances from afar need to have the matches concluded and travel on time. Even at World Cup level, group stage matches must be concluded with a winner.

It is noble that FIFA extended the 6th men team at UEFA Champions' League matches. They cover for the much awaited goal-line video technology that may never arrive. The good thing about the 6 official-team is the amount of jobs this creates. In the English Premiership alone, 40 more men and women will be employed. Consider those in the Championship going down! All leagues must be forced to implement this rule. I must say that 6 as they are, they are just as blind as the 4 we had. There has been a case of questionable decisions already.

In the UEFA Champions League, penalties have been wrongly given or denied. Jermaine Defoe handled the ball before scoring against Young Boys when he was facing the 6th official manning the goal-line. Jersey tagging is still unabated, but I still think they are very helpful and are necessary development to the game.

I still insist though, let's get the goal-line technology Sepp! Anyone with me?

Is This The Way For FIFA To Go?

The contemplation of FIFA to scrap the extra time for the FIFA World Cup, should be made global. FIFA, who are expected to go into an IFAB meeting this October 2010, to discuss among other football issues, the much talked about goal-line video technology, has proposed through President Sepp Blatter, either going into extra time after 90 minutes or revisit the golden rule, where the team that scores the first goal in extra time wins the match.

My view is that there should never be extra time at all anywhere for whatever reason. There must never be drawn matches even in leagues matches. Sepp Blatter saw the growth in the business revenue graph of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but the goal tally was inferior to the previous tournaments. Any idea of encouraging forward thinking football is welcome. Personally, teams during the World Cup practised anti-football tactics and played not to lose. The idea of encouraging positive forward thinking football is welcome.

Blatter is of the opinion of even bringing back the sudden death end game in extra time. To me the golden goal rule must never return. After the 90 minutes, sponsors do not want to pay extra air time for TV and other advertisers who bought space after matches need to be accommodated. People who drive long distances from afar need to have the matches concluded and travel on time. Even at World Cup level, group stage matches must be concluded with a winner.

It is noble that FIFA extended the 6th men team at UEFA Champions' League matches. They cover for the much awaited goal-line video technology that may never arrive. The good thing about the 6 official-team is the amount of jobs this creates. In the English Premiership alone, 40 more men and women will be employed. Consider those in the Championship going down! All leagues must be forced to implement this rule. I must say that 6 as they are, they are just as blind as the 4 we had. There has been a case of questionable decisions already.

In the UEFA Champions League, penalties have been wrongly given or denied. Jermaine Defoe handled the ball before scoring against Young Boys when he was facing the 6th official manning the goal-line. Jersey tagging is still unabated, but I still think they are very helpful and are necessary development to the game.

I still insist though, let's get the goal-line technology Sepp! Anyone with me?

Is This The Way For FIFA To Go?

The contemplation of FIFA to scrap the extra time for the FIFA World Cup, should be made global. FIFA, who are expected to go into an IFAB meeting this October 2010, to discuss among other football issues, the much talked about goal-line video technology, has proposed through President Sepp Blatter, either going into extra time after 90 minutes or revisit the golden rule, where the team that scores the first goal in extra time wins the match.

My view is that there should never be extra time at all anywhere for whatever reason. There must never be drawn matches even in leagues matches. Sepp Blatter saw the growth in the business revenue graph of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but the goal tally was inferior to the previous tournaments. Any idea of encouraging forward thinking football is welcome. Personally, teams during the World Cup practised anti-football tactics and played not to lose. The idea of encouraging positive forward thinking football is welcome.

Blatter is of the opinion of even bringing back the sudden death end game in extra time. To me the golden goal rule must never return. After the 90 minutes, sponsors do not want to pay extra air time for TV and other advertisers who bought space after matches need to be accommodated. People who drive long distances from afar need to have the matches concluded and travel on time. Even at World Cup level, group stage matches must be concluded with a winner.

It is noble that FIFA extended the 6th men team at UEFA Champions' League matches. They cover for the much awaited goal-line video technology that may never arrive. The good thing about the 6 official-team is the amount of jobs this creates. In the English Premiership alone, 40 more men and women will be employed. Consider those in the Championship going down! All leagues must be forced to implement this rule. I must say that 6 as they are, they are just as blind as the 4 we had. There has been a case of questionable decisions already.

In the UEFA Champions League, penalties have been wrongly given or denied. Jermaine Defoe handled the ball before scoring against Young Boys when he was facing the 6th official manning the goal-line. Jersey tagging is still unabated, but I still think they are very helpful and are necessary development to the game.

I still insist though, let's get the goal-line technology Sepp! Anyone with me?

Is This The Way For FIFA To Go?

The contemplation of FIFA to scrap the extra time for the FIFA World Cup, should be made global. FIFA, who are expected to go into an IFAB meeting this October 2010, to discuss among other football issues, the much talked about goal-line video technology, has proposed through President Sepp Blatter, either going into extra time after 90 minutes or revisit the golden rule, where the team that scores the first goal in extra time wins the match.

My view is that there should never be extra time at all anywhere for whatever reason. There must never be drawn matches even in leagues matches. Sepp Blatter saw the growth in the business revenue graph of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but the goal tally was inferior to the previous tournaments. Any idea of encouraging forward thinking football is welcome. Personally, teams during the World Cup practised anti-football tactics and played not to lose. The idea of encouraging positive forward thinking football is welcome.

Blatter is of the opinion of even bringing back the sudden death end game in extra time. To me the golden goal rule must never return. After the 90 minutes, sponsors do not want to pay extra air time for TV and other advertisers who bought space after matches need to be accommodated. People who drive long distances from afar need to have the matches concluded and travel on time. Even at World Cup level, group stage matches must be concluded with a winner.

It is noble that FIFA extended the 6th men team at UEFA Champions' League matches. They cover for the much awaited goal-line video technology that may never arrive. The good thing about the 6 official-team is the amount of jobs this creates. In the English Premiership alone, 40 more men and women will be employed. Consider those in the Championship going down! All leagues must be forced to implement this rule. I must say that 6 as they are, they are just as blind as the 4 we had. There has been a case of questionable decisions already.

In the UEFA Champions League, penalties have been wrongly given or denied. Jermaine Defoe handled the ball before scoring against Young Boys when he was facing the 6th official manning the goal-line. Jersey tagging is still unabated, but I still think they are very helpful and are necessary development to the game.

I still insist though, let's get the goal-line technology Sepp! Anyone with me?