Corruption « Nutmeg Radio

Corruption

Blatter In! Corruption as Entertainment (Free Sepp)

by Miriti Murungi

I really love corruption. There’s something about how it eliminates inefficiencies that makes me smile. There’s something about the smugness of those proficient in alleged corrupt practices that makes me want to watch Mr. Belvedere and drink tea out of fine china. And there’s something about real, brown envelopes filled with neat stacks of money that make me believe that Narnia might really exist and that I may have been going about trying to get things in the wrong way for way too long.

Corruption is just like a great movie. There’s plenty of action behind the scenes, it’s sophisticated, and it makes us continue dreaming and speculating. Really, what’s not to love, especially when you consider how many games of horrible football you’re willing to suffer through? Corruption has so much to offer. (more…)

Corruption | Outside the Lines
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Corruption

FIFA 2018 & 2022 World Cup Bids: The Transparency Vacuum

by Miriti Murungi

The announcement is in. The 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be held in Russia and Qatar, respectively. The response in England and the United States has been heated, with most of the heat rightly focusing on FIFA and FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

Some of the concerns about the results are legitimate, others less so and misdirected. There’s talk of freedom of press issues, human rights, and democracy, although few of these concerns have been put into context yet.

One of the big stories leading up to yesterday’s announcement surrounded the Panorama expose targeting corruption in FIFA. Blatter reportedly reminded Executive Committee (exco) members before they voted on who will win the right to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups of the “evils of media,” clearly a disparaging reference to the English media having the audacity to suggest that FIFA is a corrupt organization.

The thought of FIFA penalizing a bid for the actions of a free press is troubling to say the least. It suggests what most people should already know (more…)

Corruption | Outside the Lines
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Corruption

Lots of Nothing: What You Can Learn About Soccer From Corruption

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

Transparency International (TI) recently released its 2010 Corruption Index, which ranks a nation’s proficiency at domestic, public sector corruption. Although not perfect, TI’s Index is widely recognized as the most reliable measurement of corruption around.

In total, 178 countries appear on the index. TI’s five most corrupt nations are Uzbekistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Burma and Somalia. The five least corrupt are Denmark, New Zealand, Singapore, Finland and Sweden.

My initial thought was to look at the Corruption Index alongside the latest FIFA rankings to see whether any clear patterns emerged. Of course, none did. (more…)

Corruption | Outside the Lines
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Corruption

Not Making The Cut: Soccer Documentary ‘Soccer Slaves’

by The Chairman

Soccer Hopefuls

The game of soccer is increasingly global. Many of game’s biggest stars are African. Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Samuel Eto’o are a few of the continent’s best home grown talents that ply their trade in some of Europe’s most prestigious clubs. While much is known about these African superstars, not much is known about the countless others that don’t make it to the game’s biggest stage. The documentary ‘Soccer Slaves’ covers the travails of these young, desperate soccer hopefuls. From the fields of hope in Africa to the black market games in Europe, the exploitation of the Lost Boys of Soccer is vast and shameful. (more…)

Corruption | Outside the Lines
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Corruption

Chinese Officials Drunk on Corruption: A Human Resources Issue

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

Someone drank some corruption juice. Nan Yong, the head of China’s football federation, and two other senior officials, a vice-president of the federation and the head of the referees’ committee, were recently taken in for questioning by police as part of a crackdown on corruption and match-fixing. Now that this embarrassing and continuing saga is spiraling out of control, China seems intent on taking the necessary steps to fix the problem. But flushing out this cancer in Chinese football might be harder than imagined given the following comments:

(more…)

Corruption | Outside the Lines
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Corruption

Barra Bravas Go To South Africa

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

Argentina Crowd

Argentine newspaper Clarín recently reported that the Barra Bravas of several teams in the Argentine First Division have struck a deal with the Argentine government to provide security for government events (whatever that means) in exchange for tickets to the World Cup in South Africa — paid for by the government. That is, airfare paid for by Argentine taxpayers. Needless to say, many Argentines are not pleased by this news.

(more…)

Corruption | Outside the Lines
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secondfig: Dalglish; “For me the most important person, who is under the greater spotlight is Luis… The...
John _in_VA: Miriti, I loved your article. You are an excellent writer. Many US soccer fans wonder how a country as...
Mark Stevens: It’ would be prudent to note that the translation of “calcio e’ un...
Bob: An excellent, thoughful piece. As referenced, it is fair to both want increased Hispanic (and African American)...
Jen: Thank you so much for the answer. We are near Pittsburgh, and he does play on a travel team and cup team, which...
dreamingpixel: “Debussy – Claire de Lune”.. amazing work

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Corruption

Corruption

by Miriti Murungi

Corruption

by Miriti Murungi

Corruption

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

Corruption

by The Chairman

Corruption

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

Corruption

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

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