This morning when I heard that plainclothes Swiss detectives had arrested a number of FIFA officials in their hotel I desperately hoped that Blatter was among them. But like any good mob-boss he has insulated himself from the crimes of his organization, letting the Capos take the fall.
Okay, okay -- I don't know for sure that Sepp Blatter is the source from which all corruption springs forth at FIFA. But there is no question that during his near 20 year presidency corruption rumors have dogged the organization. He has done little to root it out, the smoke from the as yet unproven fire billowing more and more with each passing year.
While the officials arrested today (under the auspices of the United States of America -- USA! USA! USA!) have not been found guilty, in most other cases the scandal would be enough to bring about the end of the governing administration. Sepp Blatter stands for election tomorrow at the FIFA convention. I have a horrible feeling that somehow he will manage to be re-elected.
If Blatter has a shred of honor or love for the game of football, he will step down, he will not seek re-election, he will somehow close out his time as the leader of FIFA and leave the organization completely. Under his tenure football has grown into a money making machine and its popularity knows few bounds (the door to Anne Coulter's cold heart is one). At the same time, if the allegations are true and the charges hold up, corruption and bribery has grown rife. Guilty or not, he's the captain of this gluttonous grafting ship. He should take responsibility, do the right thing, and step down.
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