Is football corrupt?

Somewhat cynically, I think that wherever there is a profit to be made corruption, carried out be bent individuals, is close by. Corruption, fraud, extortion, embezzlement, thievery, etc – the whole kit and caboodle coexists alongside successful businesses.

Here’s a quick list, off the top of my head, of some recent corruption stories in the media:

HBOS – traders driving down the share price using scaremongering tactics in order to profit when its stock rises.

Samsung – dodgy slush funds to pay off bent government officials

Mike Newell – dodgy agents

Newcastle, Rangers & Portsmouth – dodgy transfers

Harry Redknapp – the man doth protest too much.

Porto – match-fixing?

Marseille – they were stripped of a league title for match-fixing.

Calciopoli – proven cases of corruption.

Nigeira, Russia, Burma, any African nation - the essence of corruption are these countries.

African politicians – did you know that a prize of $5 million exists for African heads of state who can prove that they are the least corrupt. But they still make more money from corruption than this prize. Type Mo Ibrahim into Google for more info.

Etc

Do you believe football is corrupt?

Yeah, because of the Disgusting Rangers! They hold Buffel on the bench because they have to pay us money if he gets to 100 matches.

the amount of money involved, of course there's corruption. how widespread it is, it's pretty impossible to say.

the cases in serie A show 'influencing' results can happen at the very highest levels, while i've no doubt there's all kinds of dodginess going on with transfers at every level of the game.

You forgot to list the top 4 clubs and referees.

Yes. Real Madrid.

There is plainly a problem with corruption in the game. There was a German referee who was jailed for it relating to a scandal in 2005. He appealed against conviction and sentence recently with the support of the prosecutor and the appeal court upheld both conviction and sentence. Perhaps a German poster can fill in details on that one.

There was also the Marseilles v Valenciennes incident a few years back where Valenciennes players were bribed to go easy in a league match so Marseilles could focus on Champions Cup. Marseilles were stripped of that win, relegated and Bernard Tapie was jailed over it I believe.

Edit: Marseilles was mentioned in original post, but also lost European title over it.

golsud wrote:

kas wrote:Yes. Real Madrid.

And Barcelona.

"Jaime"]

golsud wrote:

kas wrote:Yes. Real Madrid.

And Barcelona.

Whereas we are too busy finding ways to beat ourselves to be corrupt!

Edit: Can't seem to quote this right, so I'll give up.

Jaime wrote:

golsud wrote:

kas wrote:Yes. Real Madrid.

And Barcelona.

If Barça were corrupt we would have 9 Champions Leagues and 30 Ligas.

golsud wrote:

Jaime wrote:

golsud wrote:

kas wrote:Yes. Real Madrid.

And Barcelona.

If Barça were corrupt we would have 9 Champions Leagues and 30 Ligas.

That's what is so amusing, even being corrupt you can only manage 2 and 18!

Jaime wrote:

golsud wrote:

Jaime wrote:

golsud wrote:

kas wrote:Yes. Real Madrid.

And Barcelona.

If Barça were corrupt we would have 9 Champions Leagues and 30 Ligas.

That's what is so amusing, even being corrupt you can only manage 2 and 18!

Barça haven't been as corrupt as madriz (or fascist)

How come we never hear anything about scouting bungs?

Manager's are relatively well paid in comparison to scouts, yet they'll have just as significant a role to play in the signing of a player and are far easier to get at. Punditry aside, it's the easiest after football profession a player can have without being at all accountable, thus perfect for those with questionable financial circumstances.