FIFA: Ballon rond et corruption

This is a fascinating watch, ahead of The Qatar world cup in 2022, this four part series details how it happened, how we've gone from Russia, to Qatar.

Such a fascinating watch, whether you love football or not, this really is worth a few hours of your time. Fascinating interviews and insight, the amount of times you'll hear the words...'FIFA is not corrupt,' said with a straight face and no blushing.

The first word that comes to mind when you think of FIFA, corruption, we've all known for many years that the institution is a rotten, corrupt organisation, one which has served to line certain pockets. Credit to those that went after those that thought they were beyond reproach.

Money makes the world go round, that saying could well be applicable for those at FIFA. The organisation is rotten to its core, it seemed that many of those involved were heavily into corruption, blatant levels of it. It is actually sickening to watch. You can't help but feel bad for those that were in place for the love of the game, what must they have thought watching events unfolding over that last few years.

If like I do, you love football, you are going to watch the world cup, all I ask is that you spare a moment to think of those that died building the infrastructure in Qatar.

Where next, you have to wonder, will it be to whoever is willing to pay the biggest price. North Korea maybe?

Startling, 9/10.

This is a must see documentary even if you are not a futbol fan. Oh how greed can corrupt absolutely should be the subtitle for this film. Based on the book, "Red Card", it follows the evolution of FIFA from a non-for-profit steward of the world's beautiful game to a commercialized, money grabbing, pocket lining sham of an organization. It's top leadership, more interested in their own personal gain than helping to develop soccer in underdeveloped countries like Africa and Asia (one of its stated missions). This documentary helps to blow the lid off the deepest crevices of FiFA's illegal tactics.

More importantly, this documentary leaves the viewer with a broader lesson than just the corruption of FIFA. It explores "sports washing" - when authoritarian regimes with serious human rights abuses host large sporting events in hopes of cleaning up their image. From the Munich Olympics in 1936, hosted by Hitler to Russia and now Qatar hosting the World Cup sports lovers need to recognize how sports are being manipulated for political and economic gain. Qatar bought off FIFA so they could host - a country where women, LGBTQ, and minorities are treated like second class citizens. You will want to boycott this World Cup after watching FIFA Uncovered.

Such a powerful and intense show based on facts and bringing all perspectives to the story. Really gets me angry as a fan who loved FIFA World Cup since 2006 Germany hosted one. Sad state of affairs without any transparency for such premium org of biggest sporting event on planet. With less than 2 weeks to Qatari world cup kills the notion of a tiny Asian nation capable enough to showcase event built on top of bloodshed of 5000+ innocent lives mostly from Indian, Nepalese migrant workers and how abused weak section of labor class are in front of rich arrogant barbarian sheiks sitting at their high table on oil wealth and showing absolute zero dignity to human lives. Disgrace that such high moral European and US teams aren't man enough to boycott this event and call out the Qatar murderers who blatantly ignore it.

As we watch FIFA football/soccer games, and even play video games almost every day, the dirty corruption behind the scenes is deeper and more widespread than we thought.

In 4 episodes, this documentary offers a few glimpses: FIFA's blind eye to dictators exploiting the sport, exploitation of players, buying votes for chairman/location elections, exploitation of workers from developing countries... it's all very infuriating. By the 4th episode, you can't help but feel only a small bit of justice has been dealt.

There are lingering questions, however. The documentary seems to uncover the tip of the iceberg. But how were other World Cup locations decided, besides Russia and Qatar? Were the culprits limited to CONCAFA? (can't be) No famous players wanted to contribute to the documentary? So there are limitations to this documentary, and understandly so since corruption is usually very hush hush.

Still, it's a good wake up call that organizations with loads of money, unchecked power, and easily exploited representatives from poorer developing countries make for good corruption (and probably not limited to FIFA)

You know you're dealing with a psychopath Blatter when he could smirk at every horrible event/deed - even if he's not personally involved in it, the nonchalance is chilling. And if he isn't, and he wasn't aware of any wrongdoings, the fact that things were happening right under his nose and he's ignorant of them all makes you question what kind of a leader he was.

And "I like the question" + smirk when asked about abuses and deaths of foreign workers in Qatar. Goodness. ICYMI, this is the same guy who's reported to have ambitions to win the Nobel Peace Prize via FIFA.

Perhaps what needs more probing is our unquestioning psyche. There are many corrupted and immoral institutions in the world, FIFA is hardly the only one, yet most of us keep letting it recur, turn a blind eye as long as we could consume something nice. Worse, once we sense that we could benefit from a corruption, we will potentially turn to the dark side in the blink of an eye. But I think as long as money is regarded as the only thing of true value in most societies, I'm not optimistic anything will ever change.