Wall Street Journal - "Why FIFA Can’t Get Out of Its Own Way"
"But Blatter’s 17-year reign also has been marked by controversy. There have been allegations of bribery surrounding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a high-profile lawsuit by MasterCard in New York federal court and the ousting of at least eight members of FIFA’s executive committee, along with public-relations faux pas on topics from fan racism to women’s soccer uniforms.
In 2004, a U.S. District Judge ruled that FIFA had breached a contract agreement by dropping MasterCard as a sponsor in favor of rival Visa and sharply criticized the organization’s business tactics. MasterCard and FIFA reached a $90 million settlement. Blatter also has attracted criticism for his suggestion in 2011 that instances of on-field racism could be solved with a handshake and for his remarks in 2004 that female players could wear tighter shorts to help market women’s soccer.
FIFA has denied wrongdoing in relation to the MasterCard case and Blatter later apologized for the comments on racism and women’s soccer.
When the votes are cast next week, Blatter is almost certain to be swept back into office on a surge of political support from FIFA members across Africa, Oceania, Central and South America and large swaths of Asia, who have publicly declared their support."
USA Today - "Report: FIFA president Sepp Blatter fears FBI, won't set foot on U.S. soil"
"The FBI has been investigating FIFA with the cooperation of a former senior American official in the organization."
"Sources tell E:60 that Sepp Blatter has decided, due to the FBI investigation, that it would be unwise to set foot on American soil."
"Blatter has not made a public appearance in the United States since 2011."
Reddit - "Coke's slogan is "Share Happiness". So I made an ad to remind them of the kind of happiness they're sharing in Qatar."
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