> Hard to think of a modern institution as corrupt as fifa.
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FIFA has been monstrously corrupt since at least as far back as the 1970s (Havelange).
replyI backslid this year, but did completely boycott watching in 2018 and 2022. Russia is a pariah state and should never have been allowed to host, and Qatar was manifestly unsuitable.
The only difference this year is that the bribery and political favors were out in the open.
There are levels to it. Sepp Blatter was notoriously corrupt, but Infantino makes his "envelope full of cash under the table" style of corruption look amateurish.
replyEven in the festering pit of slime that is FIFA, Infantino stands out for his festeringdom and slimitude.
replyRussia a pariah state, as opposed to the US. Good thing freedom won and the US was allowed to host.
replyWhat an excellent example of the most Russian thing of all: whataboutism.
reply> Hard to think of a modern institution as corrupt as fifa
replyIOC is about the only organisation that comes close to it I think.
In the Dictator's Handbook the authors argued that FIFA and IOC function similar to autocratic dictatorships because there is a small group of people who are essential to power. Therefore it is rational to buy them rather than do the right thing by the fans (who have very little power). As cold as the reasoning is, the explanation stuck with me.
replyTheir suggestion is to open up the power structure, e.g. to all past players/Olympians.
Interestingly, both FIFA and IOC are headquartered in Switzerland, a country that is ranked by Transparency International as one least corrupt countries in the world… Draw you own conclusions.
replyA common factor seems rather that international sports orgs are often very corrupt. Would be interesting to understand why it happens systematically. Lack of good governance structures must be part of it.
replyI think fundamental issue is that only people who want power, money or influence get involved at highest levels. For rest operating at grass roots or slightly higher and having local impact is more important. Farther you move from there more power hungry and less passionate about underlying thing the people get.
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