"Fifa dismisses complaint from lawyer Michael Garcia over report "A complaint by the man who spent two years investigating World Cup corruption claims for Fifa has been dismissed by football's governing body. "US lawyer Michael Garcia's findings were released as a 42-page summary by Fifa-appointed independent judge Hans-Joachim Eckert. "Garcia said his summary was "incomplete and erroneous" and he appealed against it to Fifa's Appeal Committee. "However, it has now ruled that Garcia's complaint is "not admissible". "In a statement, Fifa said German Eckert's summary was "neither legally binding nor appealable". "A complaint by two whistleblowers who said their confidentiality was compromised after they gave evidence to Garcia's inquiry has also been dismissed by Fifa." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30491135
Well that's a relief! There was me thinking FIFA was rotten to the core - especially AT the core - and all the time there was nothing wrong at all. I'll sleep easier for knowing that world football is in safe hands after all. Not.
In similar news my wife accused me of eating the last piece of chocolate cake. I've ruled that I didn't. Unfortunately, unlike the world FIFA live in, my rulings have zero bearing of what happens in our house, so I've got to decorate the bedroom as penance. Even though I stand by my ruling, I've got to admit it was very nice, and the bedroom needed decorating anyway.
Garcia has now resigned from the Fifa Ethics Committee. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30522170 Well surely that proves he's guilty, doesn't it? Edit: "Fifa Ethics Committee". Giggling.
I find the whole thing hilarious now. Comedy gold really. Ianucci or Morris could make a superb satire on FIFA. A la Thick of It, or Four Lions. It's only a matter of time before someone does..
Today's installment of everyone's favourite long-running comedy Apparently "Garcia ... had even been reported to Fifa's disciplinary committee for publicly suggesting that the 430-page report of his findings be published." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30522791 Throwing mud at anyone who criticises them seems a tried and tested defence so I guess you can't blame them for sticking with it.
Re: Today's installment of everyone's favourite long-running comedy They seem straight as a die to me and completely free of corruption after dealing with the Financial Ombudsman Service. The following is copied and pasted from an email sent to us 31st July: "I would be grateful if you could provide a response by no later than 13 August 2014. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please note I will be away from the office from 1 August 2014, returning on 12 August 2014." I kid you not.
Re: Today's installment of everyone's favourite long-running comedy Is that actually what they sent you? That is absolutely brilliant
Re: Today's installment of everyone's favourite long-running comedy Yup, it's copied and pasted. That was the first contact they made with us. Actually no, a week before she'd left a message on my wife's work phone. They knew my wife was a head teacher. They'd had our complaint 2 and a half months. They had our home phone number, my wife's mobile phone number, her email address and our home address. Only the work phone would do. The message was left in the first week of the school holidays. Anyway, that's how she signed off the email, our first contact with the service. We got the decision the day after she got back without them ever speaking to us. Her manager said her actions were exemplary.
Re: Today's installment of everyone's favourite long-running comedy I honestly don't know how you have managed to restrain yourself from climbing the gates of downing street with a massive banner or something. The whole system is bent (which you know obviously)
Re: Today's installment of everyone's favourite long-running comedy Have you considered contacting "You & Yours" on Radio 4? This sounds right up their street.
It looks like my dogged campaigning has finally forced FIFA's hand and they're now going to publish Garcia's report: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30546139 Time to start working on my acceptance speech for the Pullitzer. I couldn't have done it without you lot. Well, some of you. You know who you are.
Oh ye of little faith. They've already released part of it, albeit slightly redacted: <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Aclu-v-ashcroft-redacted.jpg"/>
I think I'm slightly redacted. Not sure if it's genetic or from when I got hit around the head with a cricket bat.