FIFA Corruption

[fakeyank]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-32902076

We all knew that FIFA was corrupt, but you know we are going to see results now that the US has stepped in! :murica: :scarf:

[Marc Overmars]

A joke of an organisation.

Blatter will probably retain his presidency as well.

[Bumble]

A joke of an organisation.

Blatter will probably retain his presidency as well.

Well they have announced that the presidency vote will still go ahead and there will be no change to Qatar and Russia hosting the World Cups.

[Master Splinter]

Corruption :bow:.

[fakeyank]

I think this is serious matter since the DOJ is involved. Russia is already calling foul since they know that 'real cops' are involved now. Even if Blatter gets elected, I can see some major changes in the organization. Hopefully one of those is Qatar losing their WC and the other meaning that Blatter is executed in a year or two.

[Niall_Quinn]

FIFA, the second most corrupt entity in the universe are getting their asses kicked by the most corrupt entity in the universe :haha:

[fakeyank]

Blatter saying that corrupt officials have no place in the game :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

FIFA, the second most corrupt entity in the universe are getting their asses kicked by the most corrupt entity in the universe :haha:

UEFA? :unsure:

[fakeyank]

I think he means Walls Street..

[Niall_Quinn]

UEFA? :unsure:

No, Piers Morgan.

[Letters]

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/03/20/soccer-fifa-blatter-idUKL3N0WM4NT20150320

Blatter :bow:

:sarcy:

[LDG]

Who'd have known FIFA were corrupt.

Who'd have known Football was corrupt.

I mean with all of that money sloshing around, you just wouldn't believe that there would be any wrongdoing.

Whole game is crooked....though someone getting stung is a start I guess.

[Niall_Quinn]

Daily Homeland's headline today:

"FIFA manipulate, conspire and corrupt. They're brazen, shameless and flagrant in their contempt for the law... but Blatter will be as hard to nail as Bin Laden because you can't take him out with guns"

You could write a book about that headline, the psychology and reverse psychology is like a knife to the face. You see the brain damage coming.

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger's comment:


‘Sometimes we are quick to convict people who have not been proven guilty so you have to be cautious.
‘I’d prefer the whole inquiry is done well and that the rumours disappear. There’s nothing worse than rumours.’

[Letters]

. I’m amazed Blatter managed to keep a straight face when he announced Qatar, there have often been suspicions of corruption in football but never had it been quite so blatant and audacious as that announcement.
It would be nice to think this is the start of it being cleaned up but with that much money sloshing around there will always be some corruption, it’s a start though and hopefully Blatter will be toppled on the back of it.

[Niall_Quinn]

Blatter undoubtedly is aware of every dirty secret in the game, usually people like this get off to avoid the whole thing collapsing. Some sort of deal will be done that sees the USA get a financial return like the WC in 2026. Or maybe the 2018 tournament as I bet there's more concern about Russia than Qatar behind the scenes. So much politics there and you can be sure the US side of the investigation is politically and financially motivated, they are even more corrupt than FIFA. They will have known about the shit goings on at FIFA for decades, so the timing is more than suspicious. The 2010 WC was mired in controversy too, but no moves were taken. The yanks probably thought 2018 was in the bag, then the whole thing goes to the one place they are trying to economically undermine. That must have hurt. Now they want their ball back.

So sickening to see pig shit thickos like Martin Samuel bigging up the FBI. That's the same FBI that has been run by a string of crooks hand in hand with the Mafia. You have to hope the Swiss Police have purer motives than their shitty counterparts in the States, doubtful but maybe there's one good man. Great PR for the scummy FBI though. America rushing in to save the game. :doh:

From what I can see, UEFA (hardly pure but Mother Theresa by comparison to FIFA) may be genuinely representing football in this matter. At least as far as these types are capable of representing the game, which is probably not far but it's a crumb.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

The same Mother Theressa who took money from the Duvalier family, Charles Keating and Robert Maxwell to build convents in her name and did nothing to alleviate poverty in Calcutta?.

Yes then I'd say UEFA is a good comparison to her

[The Emirates Gallactico]

US intervention :bow:

The fucking know how to deal with corrupt dictators and organisations. :bow:

Bush and Obama :bow:

FakeYank :bow:


Wenger's comment:

Is Wenger mates with Blatter or something? Disappointed in him. The scale of FIFA's corruption has been well documented and proven for ages now.

Whilst I'm not 100% certain that Blatter engaged in corruption and bribery himself (he voted for USA in 2022 apparently), he surely knew about it and he created an environment where people were allowed to engage in it with pure impunity without the fear of any punishment as any subsequent investigation would be superficial in nature and swept under the carpet.

At best for him he's just a hopeless and incompetent CEO who needs to be held responsible for his organisations failings and at worst he encourage and participated in it and needs to be put away.

Though in some ways I think it may be better if Blatter wins the vote tomorrow, thanks to support of minnows and other corrupt FA's which forces UEFA, the US and other bigger footballing powers to leave and start up their own organisation free from the corrupting and unslanted influences of FIFA. I can't see sponsors hanging around for much longer either if that were to happen which would deprive them of their money base.

[Power n Glory]

Wenger probably wants a job with Fifa after his career as manager is over. I can see him buying into the idea of bringing football to developing nations

On a side note, how deep does this corruption go? The 98 World Cup final was suspect and I believe someone slipped something into Ronaldo's water bottle to make him spaz out before the game.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I think he's just going with the whole innocent till proven guilty line, given how spiteful and vengeful Blatter is, if by some miracle he wriggles his way out of this you can be sure he will try and punish everyone involved in football who has been critical of him.

[Niall_Quinn]

The same Mother Theressa who took money from the Duvalier family, Charles Keating and Robert Maxwell to build convents in her name and did nothing to alleviate poverty in Calcutta?.

Yes then I'd say UEFA is a good comparison to her

You have to stop digging at some point or you emerge on the other side and there's no ground at all. But anyway, I think that's about right. UEFA are equivalent to Mother Theresa. FIFA is not quite so "virtuous".

[Niall_Quinn]

The[y] fucking know how to deal with corrupt dictators and organisations.

Tongue in cheek? Surely?

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

You have to stop digging at some point or you emerge on the other side and there's no ground at all. But anyway, I think that's about right. UEFA are equivalent to Mother Theresa. FIFA is not quite so "virtuous".

I agree that you have to compromise and side with the least worst option I'm merely pointing out that if Mother Theresa was a good person and not a dangerous demagogue than I'm a Spurs fan.

But I agree it was pedantry on my part

[AFC Leveller]

the Qatar and South Africa world cups were clear examples of blatant corruption and i dont know why it took them this long to make arrests.

[GP]

Thanks, Obama.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Wenger's comment:

I thought it was one of their better albums.

[Kano]

While it's great to see some of football's biggest crooks being taken down, it's hard to take when it is another bent organisation leading the way. The MLS is on the rise and it's no secret America want to host the next available World Cup to help seal the financial boost the game will no doubt bring to the country. All conspiracy theory of course but when you take into account that the FBI have overseen tens of thousands of false convictions based on their 'experts' providing false scientific evidence regarding identification by loose hairs, it's hard to accept their moral high ground. They might kick out one set of criminals at FIFA but like their government, they'll help install stool pigeons of their own to move forward.

[Xhaka Can’t]

When I was a kid and got a high score or got on the leaderboard on video games like Asteroids or Tempest, I would input the initials 'FBI'.

The clever thing about it was that it stood for 'Female Body Inspector'.

But it was all one big lie.

I inspected no bodies.

[GP]

Bake 'em away, toys...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

The election is going to the final round of bung offers apparently.

Be gone Blatter. :pray:

Not sure how they know that though given the first round just finished.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

On to a second round of voting it goes.

Blatter is immortal.

[Özil's Panoramic View]

The election is going to the final round of bung offers apparently.

Be gone Blatter. :pray:

Not sure how they know that though given the first round just finished.

Remember which organisation we're talking about here. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fair point.

I'm not really sure what is going on but Blatter was seven short of winning, seems like he is going to remain the imcumbent, again.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Not really a surprise since he has Africa and Asia sewn up.

I think the only thing that would possibly have any major effect, bar the sponsors doing a runner, is if UEFA did. And I can't see either happening.

Prince Ali has withdrawn :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Withdrawn? :haha:

Just what FIFA needs, a dubious election on the back of an FBI investigation.

Blatter just will not fuck off.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Blatter is going to help out Oceania. So long as they help him out first. :ninja:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

"Let's go deeper".

:sick:

France and Spain voted for him? :wacko:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

He wants Beach Soccer? :haha:

[Slacker]

He wants Beach Soccer? :haha:

Always a hit in Switzerland...

[Master Splinter]

I doubt anyone else would make a difference anyway. Football is a corrupt circus.

Platini the slimy turd is probably more damaging to the game than Blatter.

Just burn it all down and start from the ground up.

With beach football.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

"But I thank you for accepting me for the next four years. I will be in command of this boat called Fifa and we will bring it back to shore."

A pirate boat I presume.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I doubt anyone else would make a difference anyway. Football is a corrupt circus.

Platini the slimy turd is probably more damaging to the game than Blatter.

Just burn it all down and start from the ground up.

With beach football.

I'd like some fresh ideas on corruption at the very least.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

"First of all I would like to give compliments and express gratitude to Prince Ali. Because he was a challenger and he has obtained a very good result.

"He could have said 'no, let's go further and perhaps I would have received more votes'.

"But I thank you for accepting me for the next four years. I will be in command of this boat called Fifa and we will bring it back to shore."

"We have some organisational problems. We need women in this committee, we have to do more. I will not touch the World Cup, it is too important.

"I take responsibility to bring back Fifa, with you we will do it, I am convinced.

"I am a faithful man, now God, Allah or whoever we believe in, they will help us to bring back Fifa. I promise you at the end of my term I will give Fifa to my successor in a very strong position."

"The age is no problem. Some people are 50 and look old.

"I like you and I like my job and I would like to be with you. I am not perfect but we will do a good job together. Let's go Fifa, let's go Fifa!"

"I like you, you brought me again into Fifa. All those that have voted for Prince Ali, I congratulate you - he is a good candidate.

"But now I'm president of everybody. I am president of Fifa."

Our Leader. :bow:

[Slacker]

History will remember Blatter and the fools who consistently voted for him. There will be degrees and baccalaureates on the subject churned out to future specialists and professionals.

FIFA will probably be eradicated by the powers-that-be (FBI, who else?) and replaced with some form of politically correct, right-on body managed by international committee, as before, but overseen by auditors. I suspect PWC, KPMG, Deloitte, Arthur Andersen and Ernst and Young might want some of that action.

As there isn't an ideal solution here it has to be better than the dogshitfest we have at present.

[Niall_Quinn]

"First of all I would like to give compliments and express gratitude to Prince Ali. Because he was a challenger and he has obtained a very good result.

"He could have said 'no, let's go further and perhaps I would have received more votes'.

"But I thank you for accepting me for the next four years. I will be in command of this boat called Fifa and we will bring it back to shore."

"We have some organisational problems. We need women in this committee, we have to do more. I will not touch the World Cup, it is too important.

"I take responsibility to bring back Fifa, with you we will do it, I am convinced.

"I am a faithful man, now God, Allah or whoever we believe in, they will help us to bring back Fifa. I promise you at the end of my term I will give Fifa to my successor in a very strong position."

"The age is no problem. Some people are 50 and look old.

"I like you and I like my job and I would like to be with you. I am not perfect but we will do a good job together. Let's go Fifa, let's go Fifa!"

"I like you, you brought me again into Fifa. All those that have voted for Prince Ali, I congratulate you - he is a good candidate.

"But now I'm president of everybody. I am president of Fifa."

There are many, many cunts like this in the world - the majority in positions of power and authority. All of them need to be killed then burned so they don't come back.

[GP]

Send in Sam the Slayer.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

What would that do? The reason there are cunts in this world is because it's part of our nature....no matter how many people you butcher in this life, there is an inherent avarice in the human creature that no amount of culling will be rid of.
Only checks and balances where our reason outweighs our nature can we be free of it.

[Power n Glory]

Disgusting. World Cup should be boycotted by all nations that are against this vote. Sponsors need to walk away, fans need to switch off...shit....Fifa players on Xbox and Playstation should switch to PES! :lol:

[Niall_Quinn]

Send in Sam the Slayer.

Have you noticed how fat he is?

[Niall_Quinn]

What would that do? The reason there are cunts in this world is because it's part of our nature....no matter how many people you butcher in this life, there is an inherent avarice in the human creature that no amount of culling will be rid of.
Only checks and balances where our reason outweighs our nature can we be free of it.

I never said 'butcher.' I hate it when people exaggerate a point to make it seem extreme.

[Letters]

:lol:

You really couldn't make this up.

Call me a bluff old traditionalist but I prefer my corruption a little less blatant.

[Niall_Quinn]

If FIFA was more covert you could call them mainstream. As it is, they are fringe.

[Letters]

http://www.theonion.com/article/fifa-assures-fans-investigation-wont-affect-2022-q-50536

[Niall_Quinn]

Barclays and HSBC are named in legal papers filed by the US Department of Justice after millions of dollars in suspect transactions linked to FIFA were allegedly moved through their accounts. Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and City of London Police are assisting the FBI in their inquiries.

Let's see just how far the champions of justice are prepared to go. I guarantee you - not THAT far.

[Niall_Quinn]

http://www.theonion.com/article/fifa-assures-fans-investigation-wont-affect-2022-q-50536

Funnier and nearer to the truth:
http://www.theonion.com/article/fifa-frantically-announces-2015-summer-world-cup-u-50525

[GP]

Have you noticed how fat he is?

Less fat than Blatter?

[Niall_Quinn]

Less fat than Blatter?

Probably the best we can hope for.

[fakeyank]

Time for the guardians of peace (USA) to save the world tbh.. come on FBI! :bow:

USA :bow:

War on Blatter :bow:

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Get used to it, under the thrall of our plutocrat masters the words "what the fuck are you going to do about it?" Will be commonplace

[Power n Glory]

Let's see just how far the champions of justice are prepared to go. I guarantee you - not THAT far.

:lol:

Those banks have helped terrorist and drug cartels launder money. Football....pah....nothing will come of it.

[AFC Leveller]

Seriously though, how blatantly corrupt is this whole shite? Blatter is one of the biggest cretins to ever live, he really is despicable. His comments about not being able to control everyone was su insulting its beyond belief, the people who he hired and worked with turned out to be corrupt and somehowx he had no idea? fuck off you old cunt.

If he has 1 iota of care for football he would have at least given up his position.

[Xhaka Can’t]

:lol:

You really couldn't make this up.

Call me a bluff old traditionalist but I prefer my corruption a little less blatant.
If you didn't vote, you can't complain about the result

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

If you didn't vote, you can't complain about the result

:haha:

[Letters]

If you didn't vote, you can't complain about the result

:lol: damn my voter apathy!

[Injury Time]

Alleged corruption of course of course

[Niall_Quinn]

Alleged corruption of course of course

Indeed. The blatantly obvious is never true until confirmed or denied by the lawyers. I suppose they'll use the money they stole to hire the very best.

[Niall_Quinn]

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/31/sepp-blatters-anti-american-fury-echoes-the-new-world-order

At least this goes a bit wider than the silly theory of goodies and baddies preferred by those who only want to dig so far.

I think the World Cup should be scrapped entirely until the sport can prove itself clean and non-politically influenced and motivated. Or else stage each group in a different country with the holders always playing at home and every national association having to chip in to the overall cost, sharing in the revenue and organising their own national sponsorship deals.

But if you really want to clean up global corruption and promote liberty and justice for the people of the planet the elephant has to be shot. The globalist economy needs to be reformed from the ground up and the current key players jailed or executed for crimes against humanity. Vigorously strike at this cancer and all corruption across the board will start flowing away, there will be less war, less famine, less of every plague that afflicts humanity. But that won't happen. It would be glorious to think this is the start of a genuine purge on corruption but it isn't. It's a turf war being waged by the corrupt, business as usual and only remarkable because it has found its way into the public gaze. Citizens can tackle and defeat corruption, that's possible with an admittedly huge effort. But governments and authorities can't, because their very substance is corruption. To eradicate it they would have to destroy themselves. They will never do that. They will have to be destroyed by people who stand up.

[GP]

Blatter has resigned!

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Wtf? :lol:

Why do it now instead of ideally resigning before the elections so there was a chance for others to step up?

Got a bad feeling it's so he can appoint his own (and probably equally as incompetent and corrupt) successor. :lol:

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

http://s2.lemde.fr/image/2011/03/22/534x267/1497000_3_4a5a_michel-platini-le-22-mars-2013-a-paris_93e70d4c927f36daa97718af8de6ddc4.jpg

[Niall_Quinn]

I hope this isn't some sort of deal whereby he quietly escapes further investigation. It probably is though.

Now all that remains is for the yanks to put their guy in and start awarding big money contracts to their mates. Same old same old.

[Xhaka Can’t]

It is time Letters took his IIPs to the next level.

[fakeyank]

Americans cleaning football like a boss :bow:

[GP]

http://i.imgur.com/H1OyovI.jpg

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I thought Blatter was the President of everyone? He must have realised people are a bunch of idiots.

[Letters]

http://i.imgur.com/H1OyovI.jpg

:haha:

Running on a ticket of "Tough on Tottenham, Tough on the causes of Tottenham" :dance:

[AFC Leveller]

He, allegedly, heard that the FBI had loads of shit on him and he had to duss out before being kicked out and being convincted.

Great news for football, until the next corrupt leader comes in.

[Niall_Quinn]

That's what I mean, is it now going to be the same deal as cunty politicians get when they are caught? Resign and all is forgiven, we'll forget about the criminal shit and you can fuck off and enjoy your fat, stolen pension?

[Niall_Quinn]

Platini 'high on the list' to take over :doh:

[Niall_Quinn]

The resignation of Sepp Blatter will spark new questions over whether the next World Cups will go ahead in Russia and Qatar.
It raises the possibility that England – controversially beaten by Russia to the role of 2018 host – could step in as a replacement.

LOL - at least leave a semi-dignified gap FFS!

[Letters]

Platini 'high on the list' to take over :doh:

Is that a bad thing? :unsure:

[Marc Overmars]

He, allegedly, heard that the FBI had loads of shit on him and he had to duss out before being kicked out and being convincted.

Great news for football, until the next corrupt leader comes in.

They've blatantly got a ton of shit of him. Why else would he bother to stand for presidency then resign a few days later?

Lock him up! The shameless cunt.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Given that if there are investigations into the 2022 World Cup award his name will feature on the list of "to be investigated" than yes, yes there is.
I think you need someone without prior Football executive experience because the whole thing is so mired in corruption that only total suspension of professional football at all levels and compete deconstruction of every association could see things cleaned up.
A bit of pruning and clipping won't help, the whole forest is diseased and needs to be burnt down.

[Niall_Quinn]

It certainly is a bad thing - that cunt's as bad as Mother Theresa.

[Letters]

http://newsthump.com/2015/06/03/qatar-wins-bid-to-host-sepp-blatters-leaving-do

:lol:

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

It certainly is a bad thing - that cunt's as bad as Mother Theresa.

Not quite as bad but certainly in the ball park

[Letters]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32995947

:lol:

:doh:

[GP]

Ahem...

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/31/ex-fifa-vice-president-jack-warner-swallows-onion-spoof

[fakeyank]

I can see the 2022 WC being in some jeopardy, not the 2018. Its only 3 years away and FBI wont mess with Russia for a silly 'soccer' World cup.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Despite 2018 being as undoubtedly corrupt* as all the others, there is at least some case for Russia: in that they are a major nation, have hosted large sporting events before and actually play football.

Qatar was too mental a jump even for FIFA though. When it went from "everyone knowing it happened but at least staying in the realms of plausibility" to just plain blatant. Even then, it still probably goes way above FIFA and Blatter.

*Please don't sue poison me.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Is that a bad thing? :unsure:

:lol:

He was the chief advocate for for Qatar in 2022, voting for them and encouraging others to do so. And I'm sure that had nothing to do that with his bias towards PSG (who are run by the Qatari's) or the fact that his son works for them. :lol:

He hates and is envious of English football and has suddenly come out against FFP no doubt after realising his precious PSG couldn't abide by it in the face of the mega English TV deal.

His desire to see Blatter go isn't from noble reasons of being appalled by the corruption and bribery but more because Blatter promised Platini the job this year in order for UEFA's vote at the last election. When Blatter renegade on that promise and stood again this year he was furious at the betrayal.

It shows you how utterly appalling Blatter and FIFA are that he somehow became the white knight in all of this.

tl;dr - Platini a shit.

[Master Splinter]

Platini is a bigger cunt than Mother Theresa.

Plus, like Mourinho, he has a strange inferiority complex with Wenger.

[Letters]

Alright, alright. I was only asking! :lol:

[Marc Overmars]

According to an ex FIFA executive, there were bribes involved in the awarding the 2010 World Cup to South Africa and also France 98. :doh:

[LDG]

Wow, corruption in football :faint:

Fucking disgusting sport :sick:

[Niall_Quinn]

According to an ex FIFA executive, there were bribes involved in the awarding the 2010 World Cup to South Africa and also France 98. :doh:

Funny how they failed to mention 94 and 90.

And 86 and 82 and 78.







And 74 and 70...

[fakeyank]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12010/9874564/jack-warner-says-he-has-avalanche-of-fifa-evidence

Old man coming out all guns blazin'! This is what happens when the guardians of the galaxy aka USA comes after you!

[GP]

Jack Warner is a senile old cunt who doesn't even know what year it is.

[Letters]

Funny how they failed to mention 94 and 90.

And 86 and 82 and 78.







And 74 and 70...

Obviously 66 was all above board though, what what?

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Blatter, Valcke and Platini all been suspended by FIFA ethics committee

[Kano]

great news except both the fuckers acting as deputy's that will step in have dubious pasts too. Just burn the place down.

[Marc Overmars]

Bent as fuck.

I bet this "ethics committee" are no different as well.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I'm a member of the FIFA ethics committee

Would just like to make the following things clear

Sepp, I appreciate the balcony seat tickets to La Boheme and the bottle of Mouton Rothschild....I always thought a man as nice as you couldn't be guilty. But in the interests of transparency you'll still have to serve your 90 days whilst being exonerated I mean investigated.


Jerome and Michel, the cheese in the hamper was out of date you corrupt pair of scoundrels

[Niall_Quinn]

So are they going to have to give their millions in bribes and bungs back? Or is it just the 90 day holiday?

[Niall_Quinn]

Out of the frying pan. Possibly the most unsuitable scumbag they could find is up for the FIFA top job. He's the latest in a list of human rights abusers and crooks being welcomed into the game.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/controversy-surrounds-key-fifa-member-salman-bin-ibrahim-al-khalifa-over-qatar-world-cup-finals-8860020.html

[Kano]

With dirty money from the Saudi's reaching into every part of the game the surprising thing is it's taken so long to get to have a public face at the top.

[Master Splinter]

Should we be impressed that their skulduggery and corruption is more nuanced and less publicly blatant than Blatter, Platini and the FA's?

[Kano]

He'll be sending Platts n' Blatts to negotiate in Syria with their ISIS security team, so some praise is due, yes.

[GP]

Tokyo Sexwhale

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Seems like Blatter it trying to save face by throwing Platini under a bus.

Unless he's been misinterpreted or the interview just plain made up; it seems he's said that it was agreed before the "election" to hold 2018 in Russia and 2022 in America until Platini, Sarkozy and... some Qatar guy got involved and swung the votes. That had America got it none of this would be happening. And you know what, he's probably right. Even if it was completely corrupt, and I think I'm being generous by saying 'if', at least there's a case for Russia to have it. But Qatar? That was too far even for them.