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When Soccer Turns Dirty, It's the Poor Who Lose When Soccer Turns Dirty, It’s the Poor Who Lose
(about 5 hours later)
LONDON — Two images entwined by soccer: On some dusty lot in Africa, shoeless children kick a ball made of rags and rubber and castoffs; in London or Barcelona or Munich, coifed figures at the pinnacle of their game earn millions from seamless skill on a perfect green field before huge television audiences.LONDON — Two images entwined by soccer: On some dusty lot in Africa, shoeless children kick a ball made of rags and rubber and castoffs; in London or Barcelona or Munich, coifed figures at the pinnacle of their game earn millions from seamless skill on a perfect green field before huge television audiences.
Binding the two is one of soccer’s founding legends of hope and ambition that, over the years, has drawn a procession of players from hardscrabble lands to the top-flight clubs of Europe. And between them, Sepp Blatter, head of FIFA, the organization that runs the international game, has sought to cast himself as the conduit of their dreams.Binding the two is one of soccer’s founding legends of hope and ambition that, over the years, has drawn a procession of players from hardscrabble lands to the top-flight clubs of Europe. And between them, Sepp Blatter, head of FIFA, the organization that runs the international game, has sought to cast himself as the conduit of their dreams.
With the disgrace and arrest of top FIFA officials in corruption investigations, the myth has been tainted by accusations of malfeasance. That, in turn, has once again confirmed the worst suspicions, voiced for years, that soccer has written its own long and dark chapter in the annals of kickbacks and shady transactions: the zero-sum game that deepens the poverty of the poor.With the disgrace and arrest of top FIFA officials in corruption investigations, the myth has been tainted by accusations of malfeasance. That, in turn, has once again confirmed the worst suspicions, voiced for years, that soccer has written its own long and dark chapter in the annals of kickbacks and shady transactions: the zero-sum game that deepens the poverty of the poor.
“Corruption often conjures up images of people getting rich,” Francis Campbell, a former British diplomat and government adviser, told the BBC. “But in fact, corruption more often produces poverty than wealth.”“Corruption often conjures up images of people getting rich,” Francis Campbell, a former British diplomat and government adviser, told the BBC. “But in fact, corruption more often produces poverty than wealth.”
Indeed, said Transparency International, a group that monitors corruption, “bribes and backroom deals don’t just steal resources from the most vulnerable. They undermine justice and economic development, and destroy public trust in government and leaders.”Indeed, said Transparency International, a group that monitors corruption, “bribes and backroom deals don’t just steal resources from the most vulnerable. They undermine justice and economic development, and destroy public trust in government and leaders.”
Of course, corruption has never been the exclusive realm of the corrupted. For every beneficiary of dubious gifts seeking unearned income, there is a donor seeking unfair advantage.Of course, corruption has never been the exclusive realm of the corrupted. For every beneficiary of dubious gifts seeking unearned income, there is a donor seeking unfair advantage.
And it is no surprise that soccer — awash, like other big-league sports and international tournaments, with income from sponsorships, advertising and television rights — should be identified with temptation. Professional players’ salaries run into the millions, mirrored in five-star lifestyles that gild their allure for youngsters seeking to clamber free of poverty’s grasp.And it is no surprise that soccer — awash, like other big-league sports and international tournaments, with income from sponsorships, advertising and television rights — should be identified with temptation. Professional players’ salaries run into the millions, mirrored in five-star lifestyles that gild their allure for youngsters seeking to clamber free of poverty’s grasp.
The imbroglio at FIFA has illuminated a dependency that cuts through the global economy, leaving third-world lands in thrall to the richer nations that exploit them. “Africa is comfortable having you. Africa stays with you,” Issa Hayatou, the head of the Confederation of African Football, told Mr. Blatter shortly before a vote on May 29 that gave the FIFA chief a fifth term in office.The imbroglio at FIFA has illuminated a dependency that cuts through the global economy, leaving third-world lands in thrall to the richer nations that exploit them. “Africa is comfortable having you. Africa stays with you,” Issa Hayatou, the head of the Confederation of African Football, told Mr. Blatter shortly before a vote on May 29 that gave the FIFA chief a fifth term in office.
Four days later, as the scandal grew, Mr. Blatter offered his resignation, but the journey to his promised departure could take months, giving him ample time to influence the succession — and craft the narrative of his rise and exodus.Four days later, as the scandal grew, Mr. Blatter offered his resignation, but the journey to his promised departure could take months, giving him ample time to influence the succession — and craft the narrative of his rise and exodus.
Perhaps his followers are not the only ones who should be casting a critical inward eye.Perhaps his followers are not the only ones who should be casting a critical inward eye.
Modern sports — from soccer to motor racing to tennis to cycling — are a blend of competitive spectacle and the choreographed secrecy of back-room operations buttressed by lawyers and spin doctors. We see the players, but rarely glimpse the machinations beyond them.Modern sports — from soccer to motor racing to tennis to cycling — are a blend of competitive spectacle and the choreographed secrecy of back-room operations buttressed by lawyers and spin doctors. We see the players, but rarely glimpse the machinations beyond them.
Across Europe, some journalists argue, traditional reporting focuses on the visible contest on the track or field, charting winners and losers, medals and records but ignoring the maneuvering of administrators and others who shield themselves with warnings of lawsuits and threats to withdraw reporters’ access.Across Europe, some journalists argue, traditional reporting focuses on the visible contest on the track or field, charting winners and losers, medals and records but ignoring the maneuvering of administrators and others who shield themselves with warnings of lawsuits and threats to withdraw reporters’ access.
“The rest of the media gets far too cozy with them,” Andrew Jennings, an investigative author and broadcaster who has exposed wrongdoing at the International Olympic Committee and FIFA, told The Washington Post.“The rest of the media gets far too cozy with them,” Andrew Jennings, an investigative author and broadcaster who has exposed wrongdoing at the International Olympic Committee and FIFA, told The Washington Post.
Desperate to secure lucrative international tournaments, many governments, too, have seemed ready to join soccer’s code of silence.Desperate to secure lucrative international tournaments, many governments, too, have seemed ready to join soccer’s code of silence.
Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, during a trip to Switzerland in 2010 as part of an unsuccessful English bid to host the World Cup, deflected questions about reported malfeasance at FIFA. Securing the World Cup was his sole concern, he said, “nothing else.”Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, during a trip to Switzerland in 2010 as part of an unsuccessful English bid to host the World Cup, deflected questions about reported malfeasance at FIFA. Securing the World Cup was his sole concern, he said, “nothing else.”
By last week, the ground had shifted. It was time, Mr. Cameron said, to end the “international taboo” on combating the “cancer of corruption that poisons and stifles.” For the barefoot players in faraway lands, that might be a more welcome promise.By last week, the ground had shifted. It was time, Mr. Cameron said, to end the “international taboo” on combating the “cancer of corruption that poisons and stifles.” For the barefoot players in faraway lands, that might be a more welcome promise.