By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
  1. Bill Archer

    Bill Archer BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 19, 2002
    Washington, NC
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

    By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
    If there were any lingering doubts about whether Gianni Infantino has taken full, personal, complete Blatter-like control over the FIFA universe, they were utterly demolished in Bahrain yesterday.

    In a chaotic session of the full FIFA Congress, the Bald headed Swiss attorney managed to gavel the proceedings closed without actually allowing a vote on the question of whether the Palestinian FA can shut down Israeli soccer teams that play their games in West Bank settlements.

    As discussed previously, the question of PFA control was on the published agenda and FIFA's constitution says that when that happens it must be voted on by the Congress as a whole.

    Instead, when the time came, Infantino put this slide up on the massive projection screen at the front of the room:

    [​IMG]

    PFA President Jabril Rajoub was immediately on his feet, angrily shouting and waving a photo purporting to show Israeli soldiers preventing Palestinian children from playing soccer.

    Noting that Infantino has not released the Sexwale report, Rajoub said:

    “Until now all FIFA initiatives have failed …due to the pressure exercised by the Israeli government...

    “None of you would accept clubs from another association playing on your territory. That’s all we want. We are not looking for suspension of expulsion of Israel. What we are proposing is a football solution presented by Tokyo Sexwale. Why has his report not been presented to this congress? Why was the item removed from the agenda? We’ve already had delay after delay. What exactly has Tokyo Sexwale achieved?"

    (The language became so heated at one point that Infantino had to interrupt and ask that he tone it down.)

    From the podium, Infantino announced that the commission report had not been "consolidated" (whatever that means) and that not even the council had seen it. They only got a verbal report at Tuesday's session.

    Furthermore, he announced that he, Infantino, had determined that hereafter this is an issue that will be dealt with by the Council, not the Congress.

    This again brought Rajoub to his feet,this time in the company of his "legal team", furiously insisting that FIFA's constitution demands that a properly submitted proposal from any Federation must be voted on, without exception.

    Infantino responded that he was substituting the proposal shown above which gives Sexwale until October to present a report to the Council and gives them all until next March to distribute it to the federations.

    IFA President Ofer Eini then took the floor and described Rajoub’s arguments as “political from start to finish”, adding:

    "The sole purpose (of the PFA proposal) is to establish the political boundaries. This is outside the authority of FIFA to establish borders."

    “I do not intend to give a hate speech in return … this Congress has to do everything within its power to have everyone playing football everywhere.”

    Infantino then called for a vote on his proposal which passed with 73% of the vote. All of the 50 votes against the proposal came from Asia and Africa.

    The bottom line is that FIFA managed to dodge a question which a) they don't want to have to deal with and b) is way beyond their competence anyway.

    So the issue is put off for another day, at which point they'll likely find a way to delay it some more.

    The only thing we really found out yesterday is that Infantino now has the kind of iron control over FIFA that allows him to ignore the constitution, blow off procedure and makeup rules when it suits him.

    Somewhere Sepp is smiling.
     

Comments

Discussion in 'Articles' started by Bill Archer, May 12, 2017.

    1. AndyMead

      AndyMead Homo Sapien

      Nov 2, 1999
      Seat 12A
      Club:
      Sporting Kansas City

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      No win situation for everybody. If FIFA could settle the border crisis between the Israelis and Palestinians, there should be Nobel Prizes for all!

      I don't point this out to diminish your point about Infantino. His moves are increasingly troublesome and disappointing. But getting a federation vote at FIFA to draw the borders in the Middle East would be like putting up a poll in Yanks Abroad to select the national team for the next round of World Cup Qualifiers.
       
    2. kgilbert78

      kgilbert78 Member+

      Borussia Mönchengladbach
      United States
      Dec 28, 2006
      Cowlumbus, OH
      Club:
      Borussia Mönchengladbach
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      Rajoub's quote was interesting: “None of you would accept clubs from another association playing on your territory."

      Of course, this happened Wednesday in Columbus, as MLS is a two-country league. There are many other examples.

      However, I do see his point. Not sure I actually believe him about not wanting Israel expelled, long term, tho....
       
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    3. FirstStar

      FirstStar Hustlin' for the USA

      Fulham Football Club
      Feb 1, 2005
      Time's Arrow
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      I'd like to think that we would do an outstanding job of such team selection. Better than Jurgen, anyway.
       
      The Franchise repped this.
    4. Southern Man

      Southern Man Member

      Jun 14, 2008

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
    5. Stan Collins

      Stan Collins Member+

      Feb 26, 1999
      Silver Spring, MD

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      Yeah, he stated that badly, but the rule seems to be that both countries have to accept it, so there could still be a problem here.
       
    6. Pablo Chicago

      Pablo Chicago Member+

      Sep 7, 2005
      Sweet Home Chicago
      Club:
      Chicago Fire
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      C'mon Bill! Simon & Garfunkel, and now Buffalo Springfield blog title references? What's your target market? White males over 50?

      If you want hits from millennials, may I suggest Nathanial Rateliff and The Night Sweats? Nope too late, that hipster phenom has already become too popular.

      Please consult someone under 30 before you make another obscure lyrical reference that only me and old man river will understand. [Insert sarcastic smiley face here] <---- I think this is going to be my new signature from now on.

      Keep 'em coming Bill!
       
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    7. Stan Collins

      Stan Collins Member+

      Feb 26, 1999
      Silver Spring, MD

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      It was all I had to not say "what a field day for the heat"
       
    8. gstommylee

      gstommylee Member+

      Oct 3, 2008
      Club:
      Seattle Sounders

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      Funny last time i checked Palestine isn't even a country so how exactly can they even create political bounties when they aren't even a country.
       
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    9. Bill Archer

      Bill Archer BigSoccer Supporter

      Mar 19, 2002
      Washington, NC
      Club:
      Columbus Crew
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      You have my permission to tell the guy who wrote that that he doesn't ha e any idea what he's talking about.

      Firstly, Vitaly Mutko WAS in fact disqualified from running for reelection to the FIFA Council . He tried to run but the new candidate eligibility review committee said no.

      He's gone. The writer is all wet on that one.

      On his other point, yes the two guys in question got canned but not for the reason he suggests

      Infantino didn't can them because they were too honest or whatever. They were fired because they were old Blatter allies, particularly Borbely who has a long ugly history of being Sepps loyal toady.

      Which isn't to suggest that Infantimo will find anyone more honest. He won't because he doesn't want to.

      Rather, he wants those spots filled by HIS toadies instead of the last guys toadies.

      It's just a case of him cleaning house and appointing his own people
       
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    10. Umar

      Umar Member+

      Sep 13, 2005
      One step ahead
      Club:
      Real Madrid
      Nat'l Team:
      Palestine

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      You might want to educate yourself. 136 countries recognise the state of Palestine, compared to 161 that recognise israel.

      If Palestine doesn't have clearly defined borders, then guess what - israel doesn't either.
       
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    11. Nico Limmat

      Nico Limmat Member+

      Oct 24, 1999
      Dubai, UAE
      Club:
      Grasshopper Club Zürich
      Nat'l Team:
      Switzerland
      #12 Nico Limmat, May 12, 2017
      Last edited: May 12, 2017

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      All other examples of cross-border football have sanctioning from both associations. I believe once upon a time Liga MX was looking at placing a team in LA. The USSF quickly put a stop to that. Think this was in the days before MLS.

      The bottom line is Palestine needs clearly defined borders for the purposes of FIFA governance. There has to be decision. In my opinion it only makes sense for an international body like FIFA to consult its political equal in New York. The United Nations. Why take the decision yourself?

      Oh wait. They have already done so.

      And not long thereafter we had UN Security Council Resolution 2334.

      Guess we'll just have to wait until Tokyo Sexwale runs his final, final report (version 17.6) through spell-check. In 2027 or so.

      Unless the PFA takes this matter to the CAS first which might suit FIFA anyway.
       
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    12. Bill Archer

      Bill Archer BigSoccer Supporter

      Mar 19, 2002
      Washington, NC
      Club:
      Columbus Crew
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      ?
      I almost wrote "when you're lost in the rain in Juarez and it's Eastertime too"
       
    13. gstommylee

      gstommylee Member+

      Oct 3, 2008
      Club:
      Seattle Sounders

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      Israel is a established country though with a running government. I'm not even sure what kind of government Palestine even is.
       
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    14. Hugo Sanchez

      Hugo Sanchez Member+

      Aug 21, 2003
      MEX2010
      Club:
      --other--
      Nat'l Team:
      --other--

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      Well, you have the US and Great Britain to thank for that little running government.

      Prior to 1948, however, you know (you never know)... before GB found it more profitable to back the Jewish population over the Arab, the area you refer to as Palestine was under direct British Administration.

      Since then, the newly-formed State of Israel took a nice chunk, Jordan took a little slice and Egypt took another.

      So tell me how YOU would relate to this scenario before you belittle their, uhhh, lack of "running" government.

      Kind of a raw deal, I'd say.

      To sit here and lampoon them for having shitty management seems a bit harsh.

      I'm just sayin'...
       
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    15. MM66

      MM66 Member+

      Mar 9, 2009
      Brookline, MA
      Club:
      Real Madrid

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      Try 70.
       
    16. Umar

      Umar Member+

      Sep 13, 2005
      One step ahead
      Club:
      Real Madrid
      Nat'l Team:
      Palestine

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      I guess the USA is no longer a country then, given the dysfunctional leadership there.
       
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    17. Nico Limmat

      Nico Limmat Member+

      Oct 24, 1999
      Dubai, UAE
      Club:
      Grasshopper Club Zürich
      Nat'l Team:
      Switzerland
      #18 Nico Limmat, May 13, 2017
      Last edited: May 13, 2017

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      Even if you support the view that the West Bank settlements are somehow "disputed territory" it doesn't change the ultimate outcome sought for these six teams in question. They don't belong in the football pyramid of the Israeli FA. In that scenario (i.e. disputed territory) neither FA should get to play official games in the West Bank settlements.

      No matter how you look at it the IFA is in the wrong.

      So I ask again. Why is this such a difficult decision to take?
       
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    18. Nico Limmat

      Nico Limmat Member+

      Oct 24, 1999
      Dubai, UAE
      Club:
      Grasshopper Club Zürich
      Nat'l Team:
      Switzerland

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      Palestine FA take FIFA to CAS over ‘illegal’ congress delay in Israeli dispute
      Good. This should finally force a decision.
       
      Hugo Sanchez repped this.
    19. Rol9

      Rol9 New Member

      Real Madrid
      Italy
      Apr 16, 2017

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      How is MLS and Mexican teams being an example? Were these teams formed and playing on occupied land?
       
    20. Hugo Sanchez

      Hugo Sanchez Member+

      Aug 21, 2003
      MEX2010
      Club:
      --other--
      Nat'l Team:
      --other--

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      It is not, as the deal with SUM and the USSF specifically allows Mexican teams to play on US soil.

      Now about occupied land... that's topic for another debate.
       
    21. Nico Limmat

      Nico Limmat Member+

      Oct 24, 1999
      Dubai, UAE
      Club:
      Grasshopper Club Zürich
      Nat'l Team:
      Switzerland

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      It's an example of one association (USSF) blocking unwanted activity by another (FMF) on its territory. It is precisely what the Palestinian FA is trying to achieve here with the backing of the FIFA statutes.
       
    22. kgilbert78

      kgilbert78 Member+

      Borussia Mönchengladbach
      United States
      Dec 28, 2006
      Cowlumbus, OH
      Club:
      Borussia Mönchengladbach
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      This stuff has happened before during occupations. See the Saar. Look, we all get the point. But you seem to be missing (or ignoring) the point that, fair or not, the territory in question still is under dispute. Heck, technically, it's still Occupied Jordan. So it should be Jordan who is complaining, if anyone.

      At the same time, I realize that this is one of those hot button topics that isn't worth discussing past a certain point. That point has been reached.
       
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    23. Nico Limmat

      Nico Limmat Member+

      Oct 24, 1999
      Dubai, UAE
      Club:
      Grasshopper Club Zürich
      Nat'l Team:
      Switzerland

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      If you truly believe that these settlements are disputed territories then you need to be consistent enough in your argument to arrive at the conclusion that neither association deserves to play on this ground. The status quo benefits one side and one side only.

      Which brings me back to my original point. These six clubs have no business being part of the official IFA structure. It really is that simple.

      If you take a wider issue with the admission of Palestine as a FIFA member in the first place then that is a clock that can't be turned back. Some of you want to shrug and walk away but this is a problem that requires a solution. As long as Palestine is a FIFA member it requires borders that can be enforced from a sporting governance perspective.
       
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    24. Umar

      Umar Member+

      Sep 13, 2005
      One step ahead
      Club:
      Real Madrid
      Nat'l Team:
      Palestine

      Nobody's Right If Everybody's Wrong

      By Bill Archer on May 12, 2017 at 8:22 AM
      israel is also disputed territory according to many parts of the world. The West Bank is not occupied Jordan - it is occupied Palestine.

      From the perspective of the Montevideo Convention, Palestine is every bit a state as israel is. The fact that israel disputes the validity of international law as it applies to Palestine doesn't mean that the rest of the world (or FIFA) have to accept their opinion.

      In the eyes of the vast majority of the world (including the USA) the settlements are on Palestinian land and their existence is a violation of international law.
       
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