Sepp Blatter resigns

[Stanley]

Dunno, once again: ask him.
He tells me nothing nowadays

I've lost his number but I'm sure I read that somewhere.

[Kirill]

But isn't it true that Vladi isn't satisfied with the position of the borderline?

Dunno, once again: ask him.
He tells me nothing nowadays

[Stanley]

Finland no way, Russia needs little independent Finland for various reasons, this dates back to many fruitful ties from after the end of the Second World War.

But isn't it true that Vladi isn't satisfied with the position of the borderline?

[Kirill]

Either them or Finland.

Finland no way, Russia needs little independent Finland for various reasons, this dates back to many fruitful ties from after the end of the Second World War.

[Stanley]

Not a fan of Russian politics and such, but I don't understand the enthusiasm of some people at the prospect of removing the 2018 WC from Russia. There isn't much time left and Russia is preparing for that event and judging by the recent Winter Olympics in Sochi they are perfectly capable of providing/adding the necessary infrastructure and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Nobody will be a winner if that event is relocated now.

Depends where you draw the moral and ethical line. If this investigation proves that their winning bid was built on bribery and corruption then yes, definitely strip them of it. Plenty of other countries with the infrastructure already in place who can step in to host it.

Isn't Estonia on Russia's radar after the Ukraine.

Either them or Finland.

[Kirill]

Isn't Estonia on Russia's radar after the Ukraine.

Hope not. You will have to ask Putin that but I doubt you'd get a straight answer .

EDIT: We do have many pro-Russia/Soviet-minded Russian-speaking people in Estonia, they are usually very prominent during the 9 May victory celebrations and looking at them I cannot help but wonder at where will their loyalties lie if Russia instigates and supports separatist unrest in the border regions. I can only hope that they will at least choose to stay neutral if they don't feel like actively defending Estonia against such terrorism. But there of course will be among them some young idealistic idiots or thugs only too happy to take up arms, like they did in Eastern Ukraine. Our territory is smaller, our army is more effective and we have NATO units stationed so any such insurrection could and should be suppressed rapidly, irrespective of the cost in human life. This sounds cruel but the alternative would be festering anarchy, like in Ukraine, and we don't want that.

[jmelanie]

Not a fan of Russian politics and such, but I don't understand the enthusiasm of some people at the prospect of removing the 2018 WC from Russia. There isn't much time left and Russia is preparing for that event and judging by the recent Winter Olympics in Sochi they are perfectly capable of providing/adding the necessary infrastructure and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Nobody will be a winner if that event is relocated now.

Qatar OTOH is just plain weird as a venue for such a major tournament, won't shed a tear if they are stripped.

Isn't Estonia on Russia's radar after the Ukraine.

[Kirill]

Not a fan of Russian politics and such, but I don't understand the enthusiasm of some people at the prospect of removing the 2018 WC from Russia. There isn't much time left and Russia is preparing for that event and judging by the recent Winter Olympics in Sochi they are perfectly capable of providing/adding the necessary infrastructure and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Nobody will be a winner if that event is relocated now.

Qatar OTOH is just plain weird as a venue for such a major tournament, won't shed a tear if they are stripped.

[nige101uk]

Here ya go chaps - UK friendly version. A great watch

[Stanley]

Hopefully this'll now result in Qatar and Russia being stripped of their dodgy hosting awards.

[Bribetaker]

Reuters is reporting the FBI and the Swiss are investigating the 2018 & 2022 WC bids. Once you lift the carpet, you'll see all kinds of roaches scampering....

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/06/03/soccer-fifa-fbi-idUKL1N0YP1HG20150603

[brightonr]

Oh, that's disappointing. If you have time you might try searching "youtube john oliver fifa" to see if you can get a copy that is accessible in the U.K.

Thanks ds, I'll have a look.

[Hove Ranger]

The coup has been successful. Expect the world cups to be taken off Russia and Qatar and given to more westernised countries. Once the major western companies like visa, coca cola, mcdonalds etc got involved it was only a matter of time before he stood down. Money talks. We might get the 2018 tournament as we have the infrastructure etc. ready but thats about the only changes. It will still be corrupt and work in the favour of corporations, just with a guise as the "reformed" Fifa.

[lymehoop]

some cobblers being spouted now on BBC news

[Olly]

The next scandals will be Strictly Bung Dancing and the Bung Factor