FIFA - The biggest joke in Football

 I used to hate Man Utd, but then I grew up. Now I only feel pity for their fans, continually shafted by greedy owners who care less for their own fans, than I did when I hated them. I never robbed or shafted Utd fans, just chanted my disdain. The Glazers have absolutely destroyed the reputation of Man Utd and turned them into a joke club.Rattycliff is even worse. Ferguson built a legacy and they were the Uk’s no 1 club. Now they are debt ridden, the stadium is falling down and last season they didn’t qualify for Europe and got knocked out of every cup at first attempt. I would say they are the biggest joke in football but Infantino has made FIFA have that title.

Under his rule, FIFA has given World Cups to despotic regimes, with no regards for human rights. The schedules are all about keeping TV sponsors happy. The prices for matches has gone through the roof. The US world cup has seen the introduction of 3 minute hydration breaks, effectively turning matches into games of four quarters. This was done to pacify US advertisers and is universally despised by fans. It works against the interests that teams that have momentum. England have benefitted from a coaching reset, but it is simply not what football is all about. The scandal about the rescinding of USA star Balogans red card, at the behest of Donald Trump is just the latest example of brown nosing Trump. Although not quite as revolting as giving him the Trumped up award of the "FIFA Peace prize", it actually completely undermines the concept of fair treatment in disciplinary hearings.

In truth, it seems to me as if US commercial interests are the most corrosive thing in Football. The Glazers exploitation of Man Utd gives a window into the contempt for ordinary fans. Infantino's fawning over Trump shows that the game has lost its soul. On Saturday, I will go to my first pre season friendly of the season at Hadley FC. I am an addict to football and I've loved watching England, but it is becoming for me, raised a Catholic, almost a guilty pleasure and I feel embarrassed to say I am enjoying it. In many ways supporting clubs with owners like Man Utd's and watching FIFA run competitions is like being involved in an abusive relationship, where you are hopelessly in love with a complete bastard, who doesn't respect you and see's your role solely as being subservient to their desires. We all know what the sensible thing to do is, but none of us ever do it. The fans have never had a say in how the President of FIFA is elected. The process is more shady than a Russian presidential election. 

I have to say I was pleased that England played in Mexico. It seemed proper. I felt like I could pretend we were in a proper tournament in a decent place. I hope that one day Mexico get a world cup again. I would go. In truth, if the USA had a decent and honest President, I may have gone. However I had worries that I'd be turned around at the border, for what I said on this blog. It seems that people have been refused entry for less. 

I wil feel far more comfortable at non league Hadley with a bunch of people who love football and a club that cares about its fans. The False Dots released our new album on Saturday and we have a love song to Hadley FC on it, Have a listen!