By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
  1. Bill Archer

    Bill Archer BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 19, 2002
    Washington, NC
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #1 Bill Archer, Jun 7, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2017

    US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

    By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
    A funny thing happened in the run up to tomorrow's crucial qualifier between the US and Trinidad & Tobago.

    Soca Warriors Coach Dennis Lawrence, whose team depends heavily on US based players, noted that MLS was releasing players to Bruce Arena's camp a week early and asked MLS to let his guys do the same.

    He was told, in effect, to go pound sand.

    So on May 27, David-John Williams, the continent-sized President of the TTFA, wrote to both Don Garber and Sunil Gulati, pointing out that reciprocity for his guys - Minnesota's budding star Kevin Molino, Atlanta's Kenwyn Jones and Seattle's Joevin Jones (plus Kevan George of Jacksonville of the neoNASL) - would be the only sporting thing to do in this instance.

    (The group originally included San Jose defender Cordell Cato, but he was sent home for being a jerk)

    In response, US Soccer sent a letter stating that “the MLS (sic) and USSF entered into an agreement before the beginning of the MLS season in January 2017 to release their players early for the June qualifiers.”

    Really. How interesting. Difficult to figure why il Bruce and the boys at Soccer House hammered out this deal and failed to mention it.

    T&T feels this is tantamount to cheating or at least unsporting behavior since Williams seriously doubts that MLS would have given him the same sort of deal if he had asked. But in this case, the league gets to claim that they would have if only he'd come to them sooner.

    My question is: do we really need to resort to screwing over tiny noncompetitive Caribbean island sides so that the supposedly mighty USA can win by 5 instead of only 3?

    Bad show.

    In other news, longtime Jamaica FA Supremo Horace Burrell died at Johns Hopkins Cancer Center yesterday.

    Burrell was a particular Blatter favorite who, despite one shiny-pated writer's snarky comments, was not in the fried chicken business, but got caught in the Jack Warner debacle, which stunted a career arc that would almost certainly have seen him step in as head of CONCACAF and possibly more.

    But mostly he is a player in maybe my all-time favorite FIFA corruption story which bears retelling just one last time:

    In the 1998 FIFA Presidential election it was neck-and-neck between Sepp Blatter and Lennart Johanssen and, despite all the envelopes of cash that were being shoved under hotel room doors (courtesy of adidas) it figured to be a close thing.

    In the Caribbean, Jack Warner had most of his troops in line except for Haiti's Jean-Marie Kyss, who was known as a Johanssen man.

    Kyss was literally at the airport when he was informed that Haiti's Sports Minister (?) had revoked his passport. To this day there has been no explanation of this, but in any case, Kyss wasn't going anywhere.

    Which is why when the time came to vote, the Haiti seat was vacant, and since FIFA rules prohibit proxy voting, it was going to remain that way.

    But then, strolling up the center aisle of the hall came the very comely Miss Vincy Jalal. In her rather short, rather tight red dress and five inch heels, she stood out in the crowd of old men who were, in turn, closely admiring her - um - attributes as she settled into Haiti's spot.

    Miss Jalal was Horace Burrell's girlfriend and had accompanied him to Zurich. Some people have scurrilously suggested that she was a short term rental or, as one wag put it "Mrs Burrell du jour" but I find these characterizations ungentlemanly.

    In any case, as the chair called the roll of nations and got to Haiti, Miss Jalal, who had obviously been well-coached, shouted out "Oui" just as if she was in fact the gray haired older black French speaking gentleman who was supposed to respond instead of a 20-something white girl whose familiarity with French likely didn't extend much past the one word she had just uttered.

    Nonetheless, everyone was too smitten, apparently, to say anything, so she then proceeded to the front of the room, cast Haitis' ballot and walked back down the aisle, straight out of the hall and into legend.

    [​IMG]


    Oh heck, just one more,as long as you're buying:

    Burrell had been President of the Jamaica FA for a couple terms when he signed over the local World Cup TV rights to Jack Warner, who said he could get much more money for them if everybody in the region "pooled" them. Which was probably true but what he didn't add was that he himself would be pocketing all the money.

    The Jamaican board was furious (being one of the few countries where those rights were actually worth something) and replaced Burrell with a reform candidate who wanted to use the money for - get this - doing things for Jamaican soccer.

    Warner was beside himself and issued all sorts of vague and not so vague threats and refused to recognize the duly elected president.

    But Horace took matters in his own hands.

    Owning a very successful chain of businesses, he simply went around to all of the voters (in Jamaica, all the recognized clubs elect the President, amounting to 14 or 15 entities at the time) and offered to have his stores sponsor the individual clubs. Generously.

    At the next board meeting, with the writing on the wall, the new guy resigned, they re-held the election and, as Vincy Jalal would surely NOT say, "voila". Horace Burrell was once again President of the Jamaica FA, a position he held until the day he died.

    So long and farewell to The Captain, Horace Burrell. We won't see your like again.

    Maybe.
     

Comments

Discussion in 'Articles' started by Bill Archer, Jun 7, 2017.

    1. Mateofelipe

      Mateofelipe Member+

      Mar 10, 2001
      Spokane, WA
      Club:
      Seattle Sounders
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      I wouldn't rate T&T so lightly. They are hex regulars and actually qualified in 2006. So I am fine with dicking them over.
       
      Roger Allaway repped this.
    2. dna77054

      dna77054 Member+

      Jun 28, 2003
      houston

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      This is a pretty crappy move by MLS/Gulati. Our last qualifier is at TnT. If we need points, do we really want them finding last minute visa issues with our players, even if they are already out of it.
       
      BuddhaWake and Unak78 repped this.
    3. Roger Allaway

      Roger Allaway Member+

      Apr 22, 2009
      Warminster, Pa.
      Club:
      Philadelphia Union
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      Besides, as long as we don't throw bags of anything at them on corner kicks, we're still ahead of the field in the CONCACAF Hospitality Standings. Or maybe we're in second place behind Canada.
       
      Pablo Chicago repped this.
    4. MPNumber9

      MPNumber9 Member+

      Oct 10, 2010
      Club:
      Los Angeles Galaxy
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      See how much better MLS/USSF work together with Jurgen gone?
       
      tab5g, Honore de Ballsac, NeilB and 4 others repped this.
    5. Patrick167

      Patrick167 Member+

      Dortmund
      United States
      May 4, 2017

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      Did Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, or Panama get players released with a pre-season agreement? So quick to jump to conspiracy. How about some actual journalism? Maybe T&T was just negligent in asking at the proper time and all the other federations did it correctly.

      The USA U-20 team was hamstrung by UEFA teams not releasing players. If your players are not domestic, you take a risk. MLS released Yangel Herrera who beat the USA in the quaterfinals for VNZ.
       
      barroldinho repped this.
    6. barroldinho

      barroldinho Member+

      Man Utd and LA Galaxy
      England
      Aug 13, 2007
      US/UK dual citizen in HB, CA
      Club:
      Manchester United FC
      Nat'l Team:
      England

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      During the 2014 qualification campaign Timmy Chandler's Bundesliga club pretty much pressured him into turning down call ups for competitive matches, even though they're technically obligated to release player for such games.

      The USSF had the foresight to make this request in January. If it didn't even occur to TnT to make such a request until they found out the US was doing it, that's their tough luck. Arranging this in advance allows MLS teams to make that agreement because they then have time to prepare for those absences. It's understandable that they'd be reluctant to then let TnT players go, given the shorter notice.

      It's also not the responsibility of the USSF or MLS to notify CONCACAF of the USMNT's preparation plans.
       
      deuteronomy and Patrick167 repped this.
    7. Bill Archer

      Bill Archer BigSoccer Supporter

      Mar 19, 2002
      Washington, NC
      Club:
      Columbus Crew
      Nat'l Team:
      United States
      #8 Bill Archer, Jun 8, 2017
      Last edited: Jun 8, 2017

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      You know, I used to just ignore boneheaded stupidity like this but Beau Dure scolded me about it, saying that I needed to respond to dumbass crap like this to show that I'm engaged or something.

      So fine. Here you go:

      No.

      Is the US playing Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica or Panama four days after an MLS game this week? No? Then how is this query remotely relevant?

      Let's review:

      1) I said that US Soccer entered into a previously unreported agreement with MLS to release American players for national team duty a week early so they could get in extra preparation for the T&T match.

      US Soccer confirmed this in a letter sent to the President of the T&TFA.

      2) The President of the T&TFA asked if his team could get the same kind of consideration and was told no.

      3) I wrote that, in my opinion - which is what this space is for, oddly enough - it wasn't particularly sporting of us.

      SO: your response that this is a"jump to conspiracy" is ludicrous, asinine and lame. I reported basic, commonly available facts. No "conspiracy" was implied, suggested, alluded or "jumped" to.

      I heartily enjoy hearing dissenting opinions. Some commenters above, for example, think that I'm wrong, that this is a quallie and that all's fair. They certainly have a point.

      You sir, do not.

      I know that this is supposed to be some kind of insult but I honestly have no idea what the hell this is supposed to mean.

      What would "the proper time" be, exactly? I have well-worn copies of both the FIFA bylaws and the CONCACAF competition regulations on my desk somewhere under all this mess.

      Perhaps you can refer me to the page where I would look to find "the proper time" to request this kind of thing and where a drop-dead date is prescribed after which said requests may not be granted.

      Your point being?

      If you mean they don't pick up after themselves and can't cook, I agree. Otherwise I don't know what "risk" you're referring to.

      What does the fact that Herrera (who's with NYCFC on loan from ManCity) was permitted to join his country's U20 side for a tournament have to do with a damn thing?

      Idiot.

      Dear Beau: I hope you're happy. Love, Bill
       
    8. Patrick167

      Patrick167 Member+

      Dortmund
      United States
      May 4, 2017

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      If you have such a thin skin and can't handle any kind of discussion of your ideas, I would suggest you not write publicly. Maybe keep a journal where only you can read it and tell yourself how logical and great it all is?

      The personal attacks show a lack of intelligence and creativity. Surprised you didn't curse...

      Here is the logic. I will reduce the variables so as not to confuse you.

      1. IF Mexico entered an agreement with MLS in January to have players released early for these qualifiers it would show that the USSF was not the only federation to do so.
      2. This would imply it was not a secret deal to screw over T&T, but the process as to how it should be done.
      3. Repeat for Panama, CR, Honduras
      4. If ONLY USSF did it, then maybe your article is correct.

      Everyone else and your editor understood it. Was pretty simple really. You had a compelling idea (I clicked on it and read it); I just needed this extra bit of information to come around to your view completely. I asked for it and you attacked me personally, well done.
       
    9. rca2

      rca2 Member+

      Nov 25, 2005

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      Bill, keep writing. I like your blog, thin skin and all.
       
      Honore de Ballsac and Roger Allaway repped this.
    10. robviii

      robviii Member

      Dec 21, 2001
      Chicago

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      Agreed!

      Bill, you're a thin-skinned POS, but please keep writing.
       
    11. dredgfan

      dredgfan Member+

      MLS
      Nov 5, 2004
      Denver or NOLA
      Club:
      Colorado Rapids
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      You not from round here, are ya boy?

      Your getting served by Bill Archer appearing as Bill Archer. Knives stay sharpened, polite banalities to those who he does not suffer be damned.
       
    12. Atomic Fury

      Atomic Fury BigSoccer Supporter

      Apr 30, 2007
      Pennsylvania
      Club:
      Manchester United FC
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      Bill - If feedback to anything you post is always positive, you aren't really saying anything.
       
    13. deejay

      deejay Member+

      Feb 14, 2000
      Tarpon Springs, FL
      Club:
      Jorge Wilstermann
      Nat'l Team:
      Bolivia

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      It's a stretch to characterize this as an anti-T&T move. The early release was also to prepare for Mexico at altitude. And let's face it. MLS (SUM) will move heaven and earth and offend right and left if it means assuring qualification to the WC.
       
    14. AlbertCamus

      AlbertCamus Member+

      Colorado Rapids
      Sep 2, 2005
      Colorado, USA
      Club:
      Colorado Rapids

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      I agree with Mr. Archer. It's a dickish move and embarrassing that we did it. T&T is about the size of Bridgeville, IL.
       
    15. RafaLarios

      RafaLarios Member+

      Oct 2, 2009
      Medellín
      Club:
      Atletico Nacional
      Nat'l Team:
      Colombia

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      Any federation worth its salt will do the same.
       
    16. It's called FOOTBALL

      LMX Clubs
      Mexico
      May 4, 2009
      Chitown

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      Your fanbase has a history of saying racist garbage, so you're actually near the bottom of the pile when it comes to CONCACAF Hospitality Standings. Your post was very ignorant.

      Canada is probably right in the middle.
       
      Adrian559 repped this.
    17. barroldinho

      barroldinho Member+

      Man Utd and LA Galaxy
      England
      Aug 13, 2007
      US/UK dual citizen in HB, CA
      Club:
      Manchester United FC
      Nat'l Team:
      England

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      I guess if there's one thing you can say about the practice of hurling bags of wee wee at opposing players and fans, it's that the perpetrators do seem to treat it as an equal opportunity endeavour.
       
      Patrick167 repped this.
    18. El_Huero

      El_Huero Member+

      Dec 21, 2009
      EduarDitto "The Pelé of Anal"
      Club:
      CDSC Cruz Azul

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      another ignorant dikbag..lol
       
      It's called FOOTBALL repped this.
    19. barroldinho

      barroldinho Member+

      Man Utd and LA Galaxy
      England
      Aug 13, 2007
      US/UK dual citizen in HB, CA
      Club:
      Manchester United FC
      Nat'l Team:
      England

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      Hmm. The pee bag comments seem to have touched a nerve...
       
    20. Roger Allaway

      Roger Allaway Member+

      Apr 22, 2009
      Warminster, Pa.
      Club:
      Philadelphia Union
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      Here's another example of hospitality, CONCACAF-style: Laser pointers.
       
    21. It's called FOOTBALL

      LMX Clubs
      Mexico
      May 4, 2009
      Chitown

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      Don't get sarcastic, that's immature. You're supposed to be one of the esteemed posters here. Both fanbases won't win the top spot, Jamaica probably will. But Mexico is ahead as far as class goes.
      Because it's all a lie, that doesn't happen.

      The mod banned me from N&A for my polite conversation with you, can you believe that. A convo that was 100% necessary since Mexico is America's team, so if you support a team simply because you emigrated here, it stands to reason it'd be Mexico.
       
    22. Roger Allaway

      Roger Allaway Member+

      Apr 22, 2009
      Warminster, Pa.
      Club:
      Philadelphia Union
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      I wasn't being sarcastic. I've seen the green flashes on the faces of American players during TV broadcasts. However, at the one US-Mexico qualifier that I've been at (Foxboro, 1997), the Mexican fans were classy. Can't say as much for the Jamaicans in DC that same year.

      Maybe the classiest visiting fans that I've seen were the Hondurans in DC in 2001. I like watching from up high, and I was the only American in a sea of Hondurans in the section where I was sitting. They were great.

      All of those were visiting fans. As far as fans at home games, your assessment that the Jamaicans are the best may be correct.
       
    23. It's called FOOTBALL

      LMX Clubs
      Mexico
      May 4, 2009
      Chitown

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      I doubt that, I'd bet almost all of that section were Americans.
       
    24. Roger Allaway

      Roger Allaway Member+

      Apr 22, 2009
      Warminster, Pa.
      Club:
      Philadelphia Union
      Nat'l Team:
      United States

      US Soccer Admits Shady Gulati-Garber Collusion, Plus Goodbye to the Captain

      By Bill Archer on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:45 PM
      Not where I was sitting. I was about five rows from the top of the upper deck behind one of the goals.
       

Share This Page