The biggest news in the international sporting world these days is the ongoing saga (it's only been 24 years) scandal in the ranks of FIFA (Federation International Football Association),
better known to you and me as soccer.
The world's number one sport is once again under the judicial microscope but, unlike the many other investigations that ended up absolutely nowhere, this time the USA's court system has indicted and arrested several members of FIFA's executive for a host of charges including; racketeering, wire fraud, bribery, kickbacks, and money laundering (worth over $150 million).
Many of these low-life executives have pocketed millions of dollars while hundreds of organizations in 209 countries are screaming poverty and could have really used that money for improvements at the grassroots level.
The latest scandal this time might actually have some traction, and hopefully lead to prison time and huge fines, only because one member of FIFA's "mafia" has turned state's evidence (better known as a "stoolie") and he's busy spilling the beans on just how corrupt this organization really is and all the illegal activities in which this tightly-knit "Family Compact" participated (couldn't resist a little Canadian history). Let's hope his plea deal leads to other top offi cials confessing their sins, thereby creating a domino effect that will eventually bring down all the major players
involved, including the kingpin himself.
I'm referring, of course, to Sepp Blatter (sounds like a deflated soccer ball,eh?), the president of FIFA who has his "hands all over this" (who me?), but has eluded the judge's gavel for so many
years due to insuffi cient evidence. Now that his henchmen are being extradited back to the USA for "rampant systemic and deep-routed corruption" over FIFA's awarding of
the 2018 & 2022 World Cup, let's hope justice prevails. Huge corporate sponsors, like Coke, Visa, ScotiaBank, and McDonalds are not too happy with Sepp right now. To make this story
even more interesting, Blatter, with controversy swirling around him, was re-elected president for a fifth time last Friday, which shows you how powerful this man is; he still has those Asian and
African nations in his pocket. As I write this, Blatter has announced that he will resign but I'll believe it when I see it.
Even if he does, he'll find a way to keep his hand in the cookie jar.
On the positive side, FIFA's women's World Cup starts tomorrow in Edmonton with 24 countries vying for the illusive title as the best female soccer team on the planet.
Team Canada, lead by superstar Christine Sinclair, is one of the top five teams in the world and has a legitimate chance at winning it all, which would be sensational considering where soccer stands in this country. This event has already set a record for attendance as over 890,000 tickets have been sold for the 51 games, ending July 5.
The Stanley Cup finals are underway with Tampa Bay hosting Chicago, and although the Hawks are heavy favourites, watch the Lightning give them all they can handle. The Windy City will prevail,
but it'll take six. Any chance of the Wheat Kings Kelly McCrimmon going to Toronto for a front office job with the Leafs?
Remember Tom Petty's song "Free Falling"? That's exactly what is happening to Eugenie Bouchard's career right now. The rising star has lost eight of nine matches and needs to re-group
before she becomes a falling star.
After four away games, the Virden Oilers of the SWBL will play their next four games at home starting this Monday against Boissevain, and then again June 10 versus Hartney. Game time is
7 bells.
