Blatter snubs Italy Euro 2012 bid

[phat]

This piece of shit needs to be replaced.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has again angered Italians by putting his clout behind Ukraine and Poland’s Euro 2012 bid.

There are only three proposals left on the short-list for who will host the European Championships and in April the decision will be made between Italy, Ukraine-Poland and Croatia-Hungary.

“Both these nations have done a great deal,” said Blatter on a visit to Kiev. “They would deserve to host the European Championships.”

This is certainly not the first time that the FIFA President has upset Italian football chiefs. He famously refused to come down to hand over the World Cup trophy to the Azzurri in Berlin.

Blatter also told Australian journalists that the Socceroos should have gone through to the quarter-finals after a controversial late penalty from Francesco Totti.

The decision on who will host the Euro 2012 games will be announced in Cardiff on April 18.

[realGaurab]

Is he a retard? Does he think whatever he thinks is right? Why does he always have to make comments that makes himself look stupid? Doesn't he even know what professionalism is? Even if I want to say something about the topic, I don't have anything more to say than this.

[Dogme]

Blatter says whatever his audience wants to hear, and he repeatedly contradicts himself. The odd thing is, he doesn't seem to realise this. I honestly believe he is mentally ill!

I think that Italy getting the 2012 Championships would be a great idea :)

[tanja]

Blatter can go to hell

[kaku]

Blatter is doing politics and business and not the best for football.For years now.Sponsors are greatly interested in emerging markets, right Sep?:rolleyes:

Shame what this sport has turned into.

[cartbran]

This is not Blatter's decision. Blatter is the head of FIFA. This is the UEFA Championship, not the World Cup. Of course, Platini is a Blatter disciple, but even Platini does not have the final say. It needs to get voted on. Folks are right to suggest that Blatter is probably repaying some debts, political deals or business or whatever by supporting a Ukraine-Poland bid. He may have even had his palm greased to support such a bid. There are some realities that need to be considered however.

A EURO Championship provides a big incentive for countries to modernize their stadia. Since Blatter and Platini are the champions of these smaller eastern European leagues, clearly the issue is that these governments will pay to improve the stadia of the teams in these countries which could then improve revenues for these teams. However, if you look around Italy, they are in desperate need of stadium enhancements as well. Plus, if it was not for wealthy benefactors, hardly a team in Italy would be solvent right now. Italian clubs make a lot of money for UEFA in the Champions League and UEFA Cup. But they are facing huge debts and sagging attendances. It would be much more prudent economically for the sport to have some subsidizing of stadia in Italy as opposed to Ukraine and Poland. With that said, this issue is probably what it really is all about. And of course the tourism revenue that Italy doesn't really need. Everything that Blatter supports is always a plot to throw some kind of subsidy or another to clubs in the smaller European leagues, because that is his basis of support. So why should this be any different?

[kaku]

You are right Cartrbran.It's just a shame watching such a prominent figure of the sport, actually the head of the sport, go around trying to influence the decisions of committees before they even convene.I explained the reasons for this above.

Having said that it will probably be in football's best interest smaller countries to be given the opportunity to host major events.But mr Blatter should let those responsible to decide that.I'm just fed up with him.I can't stand this man anymore.

[Silas]

Blatter should gtfo!

[Sapdie]

I think you guys should stop having a cry just because he doesn't support Italy's bid for Euro2012. Christ, not everyone wants it hosted by the Italians. Grow the fuck up, Europe is a bigger place than just England, Italy, Spain & Germany. Italy has enough backing and advantages without having the FIFA president giving his thumbs up for them as well.

[cartbran]

I think you guys should stop having a cry just because he doesn't support Italy's bid for Euro2012. Christ, not everyone wants it hosted by the Italians. Grow the fuck up, Europe is a bigger place than just England, Italy, Spain & Germany. Italy has enough backing and advantages without having the FIFA president giving his thumbs up for them as well.
The point is, the FIFA president should not be endorsing any countries for the European Championships. It is not his place to do so and it is inappropriate for him to lobby on any countries behalf.

The fact is, Blatter is as corrupt as they come. Despite being the head of what is supposed to be a not-for-profit organization that is obstensibly a public entity, he refuses to reveal his salary and benefits. Can you imagine that the head of the Red Cross or even the CEO of a publicly traded company that their compensation is somehow a protected trade secret?

Blatter needs to go. Period!

[Supa]

Football is so corrupt at the top, it's as bad as politics. Sad.

[Orton]

Europe is a bigger place than just England, Italy, Spain & Germany.

Exactly.

France is in Europe too.

[bass7bn]

so stupid. when is our next national team appearance?

[phat]

Lippi boosts Euro 2012 bid

Italy have called on the big guns to help support their bid for the Euro 2012 games, as Marcello Lippi is going to Cardiff.

The peninsula is on the shortlist to host the tournament along with joint bids from Ukraine-Poland and Hungary-Croatia.


A decision will be made in Cardiff on April 18, so all the nations are inviting renowned figures to provide a final push.


Originally a member of the World Cup winning squad had been pencilled in to join the delegation, but reports in today’s ‘Gazzetta dello Sport’ suggest the attention turned to the Coach who lifted the trophy.


Lippi resigned from the Azzurri after that Germany 2006 triumph and has blamed the Calciopoli scandal’s search for scapegoats as the main reason.


The ‘Gazzetta’ also alleged that there is a dirty tricks campaign against Italy’s candidacy for Euro 2012.


Letters were sent to the members of UEFA’s technical commission, but one of these was Giancarlo Abete – who is set to become FIGC President next month.