The AP Reinforces FIFA's Bias

The problem with antisemites is not the Jews, but the antisemite. So is it with FIFA and they should be told so.

Posted by: Ike Brajtman at Apr 13, 2006 1:21:16 PM

I tried to send this comment to FIFA using the link at the bottom of your article, but got 'No Matches Found' on my Outlook Express. I'm not sure why this should be. Perhaps others have had the same problem. Perhaps they are blocking comments to their inbox?

Anyway, I though I'd share my e-mail to FIFA with Honest Reporting readers:

Jerome Champagne and Sepp Blatter,

We look forward to your strong sanctions against Turkey for their brutal off-pitch attacks on Switzerland players during the crucial World Cup qualifier last year. We remember that you made strong statements at the time and we are sure that these statements will be translated into action.

We also expect action againt Iran for the Mullah's occupation of Lebanon, a sovereign nation, through Iran's proxy army, Hizbullah, in southern Lebanon, and their arming, training and dispatching of Islamic Jihad terrorists to kill Israeli civilians. And, of course, Iran's declared intention to wipe Israel off the map as they rush to produce the bomb. We understand that Iran will be participating in this year's World Cup and are puzzled as to why they will be allowed to take part.

We also await strong action against the numerous FIFA nations from Africa and elsewhere with appalling human rights records.

And we don't understand why there has been no action against dozens of Arab and Muslim states that oppress their Christian citizens and will not allow the Israeli national team to cross their borders to compete against their own teams. Surely you understand that this is Apartheid and, as such, is utterly reprehensible?

We are amazed at your strong reaction to the Israeli attack on an empty Palestinian soccer field used to fire rockets on Israeli civilians.

Why would you single Israel out for this comparatively innocent action when you were silent when the Taliban executed people on Afghanistan's soccer fields?

Could this be because you have been initimidated by the anti-Israel lobby?

Or are you yourselves simply anti-Israel?

As a soccer fan, I was going to purchase access to cable TV so that I could watch the World Cup. But I will not be watching it now. Your hypocrisy is quite incredible and you are a disgrace to the spirit of the game.

Bryan

Tel Aviv

Posted by: Bryan at Apr 13, 2006 5:54:11 PM

apparently fifa has always been linked to corruption,
now fifa can add anti-Semitism on its cv,
fifa is not worthy of governing such a great sport

michael sandfort
denmark

Posted by: michael sandfort at Apr 14, 2006 1:06:59 PM

Letter sent to Fifa and AP:

Dear Sirs,

As a Brazilian (those guys who although have not created the sport seem to have master it, to others dismal) of Jewish tradition, religion and a Zionist (supporter of Israel's right to exist), I felt really disgusted by the attitude taken by FIFA officials on the matter concerning recent events in the Middle East.

I (as the rest of the world) was under the impression that, FIFA has always been acting under the strict rule of not mixing politics with sport, in an effort to be as impartial as possible and promote peace through sport and understanding, in the true spirit of the late Baron Pierre de Courbetin.

Unfortunately it appears that Mr. Jerome Champagne has joined the recent wave of anti-semitism that is spreading throughout France in particular and Europe in general. Ignoring the Islamic Jihad undisputed attack with missiles against a Kibbutz soccer field during a soccer practice while promoting a “punishment” to Israel for having the audacity to strike back into a Palestinian soccer field - who was not being used for a game but rather for target practice for future missile launches against innocent civilians in Israel - is at best, preposterous and a total infamy.

If the French can not be commended by their recent racial attitudes, Mr. Blatter’s silence on these matters might eventually serve as a reminder of the “not so Kosher” attitude of Swiss banks and government policies during and after the 2nd WW in connection to the Nazi war effort – data that only now has partially became public, amidst Swiss denials and countless years of cover-up.

I think this sport governing body would serve best its purposes by concentrating on issues regarding the sport like corruption, manipulation of results, excess referees latitude and consequent mistakes, lack of modern technology in correcting and evaluating on-the-scene disputed calls (as in Tennis, basketball, baseball and American football), just to name a few.

The same pragmatism shown when including Israel’s national team on the European play-offs for the World Cup must be also exercised when analyzing daily Middle East events. It is a fact that Jewish or Israeli players can not even enter Arab countries while defending European Teams – however detrimental it may be to the sport. Arab players, on the other hand, are a natural part of Israel’s national teams, something normal since they also hold seats in the country’s parliament. FIFA has always kept its neutral and true sport identity in these and other matters and should continue to do so, notwithstanding the natural pressures to take side.

I sincerely hope that this next World Cup in Germany proves out to be another success – financially and as a sport competition – but let us not forget that a precedent flies over as grey cloud, in the name of Munich’s Olympic Games events of 72. In the past and also just recently, soccer has been used to foster national pride beyond reasonable boundaries and terror rewards in a despicable way on some Arab countries. The world does not need a FIFA endorsement or further incentives, as the one it is about to mount, to foster racism, bigotry and eventually - terror.

Football or soccer, does not matter how is called, is today more a business than sport, but giving way to financial pressure or trading morality for cash rewards, is not the example that this worldwide uncontested most popular sport should embrace.

Most Sincerely,

Professor Roberto Musatti – Bsc. Mba.

Posted by: roberto musatti at Apr 15, 2006 3:59:58 AM

I realize this comment is somewhat late. But did fifa note the reception the southern irish fans received last year in Tel Aviv v's the the hostile & racist reception afforded the Israeli fans in s. ireland (this did not include the sporting Irish fans).

Posted by: DOV KORET at Apr 20, 2006 11:57:22 PM