Who really believes that there's no corruption in FIFA????

Can anyone ever believe this sport is free from corruption when it seems to go right to the halls of power at FIFA itself? If this is how business is done at the highest levels of the so-called "World Game" then the sport is a joke!!!!!!! You want something, then show me the money!!!!

The controversial former vice-president of world football's governing body FIFA has been caught on tape telling the organisation's Caribbean delegates they must decide whether to accept 'gifts' of £25,000 from disgraced former Presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam. The Telegraph (UK) has obtained footage of a meeting on 11 May, the day after Jack Warner is alleged to have offered delegates the money in brown envelopes.

Warner is taped opening the meeting by asking "Is the media here?" He then goes on to explain that Bin Hammam had wanted to bring some gifts – Warner refers to a "silver tray and some trinkets" – but that to do so for 30 people would be "too much luggage". So, says Warner, he asked Bin Hammam to bring cash.

"I said to him if you bring cash, I don't want you to give cash to anybody, but when you do you can give it to the CFU (Caribbean Football Union) and the CFU will give it to its members. Because I don't want [it] to even remotely appear that anyone has any obligation to vote for you because of what gifts you have given them."

Business is business
Later in the same meeting, Warner issues a typically robust challenge to anyone tempted to turn down the 'gift'. He says: "I know there are some people here who believe they are more pious than thou. If you are pious go to a church friends, but the fact is that our business is our business."

Bin Hammam was forced to withdraw from the election for the presidency and has been banned from football for life after being found guilty of attempted bribery. Warner also faced charges of paying bribes, but resigned in June before FIFA's ethics committee could complete its procedures.

Warner said at the time that any investigation would see him "fully exonerated" and that "gifts have been around throughout the history of FIFA". He went on "What is happening now for me is hypocrisy." FIFA said the ending of investigations following Warner's resignation meant "the presumption of innocence is maintained".

Ernst & Young

Warner's time at FIFA was dogged by controversy. In 2006, FIFA's auditors Ernst & Young found Warner's family had made a profit of at least $1m from reselling tickets to that year's World Cup. He was fined $1m and asked to sever all ties with the company concerned. But Warner's son and personal assistant remained at the company throughout 2006, and only $250,000 has been repaid.

Scottish FA President John McBeth says that Warner asked for money for a friendly between Trinidad and Tobago and Scotland to be paid into his personal account in 2004. Warner responded by calling McBeth a racist bigot.

In 2011, allegations that Warner asked for personal payments to back England's World Cup bid were aired by former FA chief Lord Triesman, and the BBC published correspondence from Warner to the English FA requesting funds for the purchase of Haiti's World Cup TV rights.

What a Joke!!!!!!

A Victory with Harry? Simply Awesome!!!

A-League club Melbourne Victory have confirmed they are in talks with Australian international Harry Kewell.
The former Leeds United, Liverpool and Galatasaray winger has been linked with a return to his homeland for a few months now but most of it did seem like it was all speculation.
However, Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro has revealed that the two-time A-League champions are in negotiations with the 32-year old attacker.
"Harry Kewell is an iconic sports figure in Australia, not just in football. It would be great for the A-League. We would love Harry to come back to Australia," he said.
"This is the first time we've admitted to negotiating with a player. That in itself tells you of the significance of the signing like Harry Kewell.
"We're not in a position to say that it is any closer or now. We're in the mix with everybody else. We'd love him to have a Melbourne Victory guernsey on, but we'll wait and see."
And new Victory head coach Mehmat Durakovic, who was appointed a week ago, admitted that the prospect of Kewell coming to Melbourne was very tantalising.
"I'm very happy with Harry Kewell coming to Melbourne Victory. Who wouldn't want to have him," the new coach said.
"I personally and a few of the coaching staff know him quite well. He's a fantastic player and it would be fantastic for Melbourne Victory to have him on board. Whether that happens only time will tell." (http://www.tribalfootball.com/)

I'm not a huge soccer fan, but living in Melbourne, the Melbourne Victory is the most successful of our two A League soccer teams (Sorry Melbourne Heart!). Have never been to an A League game before but if Harry Kewell was to play for the Victory, I'd go watch them, just to see the great man in action!!!!! Imagine the number of Kewell jerseys the Victory would sell! If Harry Kewell was to play, this would be the major shot in the arm the A League needs in this country. A legitimate superstar returning home to play in his country's premier soccer league with its premier club!
Let's hope the Victory can pull this one off!!!!

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What do you think of our site, Harry??
(Just kidding, we didnt really ask him!)

The Ultimate Goalkeeper!!!!

Council workers in Northern England have brought a new meaning to "setting up the wall" in soccer!!! I thought the players set up the wall to defend against free kicks. This "wall" looks like it's set up to defend against scoring!!!!! Anything!!! Ever!!! The Ultimate Goalie!!!!

It seems that the fence, costing almost $10,000 was erected by the local council in the suburb of Heworth but the council workers neglected to relocate the soccer goals!!!! Brain surgeons!!!!!! Hahahahaha!
A representative for the council said the failure to relocate the goal posts was "a real own goal" and said he had asked for the issue to be rectified as soon as possible and apologised for the error!!!!!

We dont have any "walls" available but we do have a huge selection of other great, quality soccer gear. You can find what you're looking for by visiting our soccer gear page. http://sportzofallsortz.com/golf__soccer.html

Lucas Neill - Hero or Bad Guy?????

Can you believe the stuff flying around at the moment about how Lucas Neill has been accused of leading a player revolt against the game plan of then Head Coach, Pim Verbeek prior to Australia's first World Cup game against Germany last year??
For a start, what sort of game plan is going out only trying to draw a game?? That's not the Australian way!! Where were all the strikers in the starting lineup? All sitting on the bench getting splinters in their butts! So who is supposed to score the goals?? I'm not a huge soccer fan and dont follow the strategies of the game much but arent the strikers supposed to be your main goalscorers?
Pim Verbeek seemed to come across as if he didnt have any respect for Australian soccer. Wasnt this a bloke who had announced he was moving on prior to the tournament taking place? Mmmm, dont know if this is common in world soccer but can you be giving it your best when your mind is on other things? Like starting your new job?
The players are professionals who play to win, regardless of the prize. For Australian soccer players, after so many years in the wilderness as a soccer playing nation, have proved that they can take on the worlds best and be very competitive. You're not always going to win in every sporting contest but at least give yourself the best opportunity to win. As a supporter, I dont want to see my team playing for a draw. I want them to do all they can to win. If they lose having given it their best shot, then I can accept that....dont like it but can accept it!

I would be hoping that the Australian captain would think the same way. Lucas Neill has always come across to me a very positive, motivated person who wants the best result possible for his team from every game. Especially when playing for his country! If what has been alleged did happen, then good on you, Lucas, for standing up for your principles. We would hope it didnt happen and that Les Murray is just trying to drum up publicity for his book! You surely could have come up with a better way of garnering publicity for you book, Les, rather than accusing the Australian captain of instigating a player revolt! Hope your sources are impeccable!! This has the potential to cause major damage to the progression of your sport in this country especially amongst those of us who arent fullon soccer fans.

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