Shameful FIFA

Whilst the World Cup in South Africa has in many ways been a success, it has again highlighted that World Football is run by a bunch of self satisfied cronies who care little about the game, and more about money.

Firstly, because of an exclusive agreement, a finanical agreement with Adidas, FIFA agreed to use the new Jabulani ball, which has been widely seen as making the matches worse and preventing some of usual long range goals that light up so many games. It is interesting to note that even the ex Liverpool player Craig Johnson, inventor of the Predator football boot (which was developed with Adidas) has described it as the worst ball ever).

To compound the problems with the ball, FIFA allowed this special ball to be used by the German FA, in the Budesliga, for the last six months, thus giving the Germans a massive advantage over other teams. If FIFA are to introduce comedy balls in to matches, it does seem the be a basic principles of fairness that one team should not be given an advantage. I know the Bundesliga also has a deal with Adidas, but FIFA should have made sure that they had exclusivity over the new ball. Of course, the head of FIFA, Sepp Blatter is German speasing, so we can draw our own conslusions for the German advantage.

They there is the issue of goal line technology. Trials a couple of years ago proved that goalline technology works, it gives referees an instant "yes/no" answer as to whether the ball has crossed the line, and it can be provided at no cost (with the makers seeing it as good marketing). But FIFA, still said no. They claim that football has a "universality" and that is must be the same, whereever it is played in the world. This is, of course, ridiculous.

On a Sunday morning in parks across the UK, matches take place with substitutes running the line as linesman, and in many cases, managers acting as referees. Football pitches are not all the same size and some have potholes. In short, football in different countries and football played at different levels is always very different. There is no universality in football. It is ridiculous for FIFA to stand opposed to to gaolline technology for so long, only to change their minds when confronted with a blatant goal that makes the game look like a throwback to previous decades. Every major sport makes use of technology. Tennis has "hawkeye" on certian courts, but not on others, and this causes no problems. Yet football, and Mr Blatter, make themselves look foolish and out of touch. Well done FIFA.

Then there is the issue of of "infrastructure", FIFA like to mona about the cancellation of flights to South Africa leading to passengers missing matches, but did nothing to stipluate top the South African authorities that scheduled flights hsould have precedence over the celebrities flying to the matches in their private jets. the problem is that FIFA are the ones who want to see the celebs at the matches. how were these celebrities able to get last minute tickets if it was not without FIFA's help ?

Now, to top things off, we read that FIFA are presuurising Nelson Mandela to attend the final tonight. The 92 year old is said to be unwell and very frail, and still  mouring the recent death of his granddaughter, yet FIFA again seem to care not one jot. After all, a photo call between Mr Blatter and Nelson Mandela will look good on Mr Blatter's mantelpiece ?

Shame on FIFA.