2. High Level Corrupt Officials
So who is supposed to be fixing all of these sporting issues? The administrative officials in the sports governing bodies are the people that should be implementing tactics to deal with all of the aforementioned problems plaguing the game, but unfortunately, many of these same people are now implicated in wrong doing themselves. As a case in point, former Asian Football Confederation President Mohammed Bin Hammam has been investigated and was banned from all footballing activities for his role in a bribery scandal involving Caribbean footballing organizations. While his lifetime ban was appealed and revoked, the blemish has tarnished his image and more importantly the FIFA elite that he was once a significant part of. Similarly, CONCACAF President Jack Warner, also a FIFA Executive Member, was also implicated in the said scandal and resigned from his position. And dont forget former FA chairman David Triesmans claims that the Russian football association would help Spain bribe officials in an effort to win the 2010 World Cup. According to Triesman, in return for the assistance, the Spanish football association would secretly rally for the Russian bid to host the 2018 World Cup. Lo and behold Spain won the World Cup with two games involving controversial refereeing decisions. In the Spain v Paraguay quarterfinal, a Paraguayan goal was incorrectly ruled offside , and in the Spain v Netherlands final, the winning goal was scored from a Spanish counter-attack that sprang from an uncalled, yet clear foul on a Dutch player. We all know Russia was chosen to host the 2018 World Cup. Interesting coincidence or was something else at play?