McCain thinks FIFA cares what he thinks

Post by **Roofus** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 1:14 pm

Washington D.C. ? Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today introduced legislation urging FIFA, international soccer?s governing body, to ban Iran from sanctioned international competition ? including the 2006 World Cup. ?The national team is scheduled to play its first match in Nuremberg, Germany,? McCain said. ?There is a cynical historical irony to this, in light of President Ahmadinejad?s vile statements denying the Holocaust and calling for Israel?s eradication.?

Denying the Holocaust is a crime in the Federal Republic of Germany, and Nuremberg served as the site of war crimes tribunals that tried Nazi leaders for atrocities and genocide. The resolution calls on FIFA to block Iran?s participation in sanctioned matches until its government rescinds its position disavowing the Holocaust, repudiates its calls for the eradication of Israel, ends its support for terrorism, and ceases its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Six senators joined Senator McCain as original cosponsors.

?Iran is a soccer-mad country,? said McCain, ?and I hope this resolution will spark serious discussion there about whether the regime?s rhetoric and policy serve the interests of its people.?

Restrictions on international sporting competition have brought attention and pressure to previous regimes. South Africa was barred from international competition by both FIFA and the International Olympic Committee until the repeal of its apartheid laws in 1991. In 1992 Yugoslavia was banned from participation in Europe?s popular UEFA Cup soccer championships and later prevented from participating in World Cup qualifying matches. Article 3 of FIFA?s regulations threatens suspension or expulsion as punishment for discrimination against a country or group of people.

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mikozero · Post by **mikozero** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 3:56 pm

miko tries to make the cricket noise from cartoons . . .

SuperMegatron · Post by **SuperMegatron** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 7:10 pm

what is Fifa? I thought it was the soccer player on the cover of EA's game.

mikozero · Post by **mikozero** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 7:25 pm

Tifas soccer playing little sister from FFVII

seriously though, according to this CBS News column it's "still viewed in some quarters as a plot to create a one-world government."

well all i can say is at least come the New World Order there will apparently be a Referee . . .

Ex-Cyber · Post by **Ex-Cyber** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 9:42 pm

John McCain wrote:Iran is a soccer-mad country,? said McCain, ?and I hope this resolution will spark serious discussion there about whether the regime?s rhetoric and policy serve the interests of its people.

Yeah, because it couldn't possibly spark greater resentment of the US for being an instigator. Way to go, Mister Straight Talk.

Prophet][ · Post by **Prophet][** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 9:48 pm

Yes, the biggest sporting body in the world is going to listen to what some senator thinks. Maybe if it was a bigger football nation they would listen then not care, but I can't even see them listening.

IiLuSiv · Post by **IiLuSiv** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 1:30 pm

John McCain is an idiot

Stormwatch · Post by **Stormwatch** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 6:48 pm

But morally speaking he is right; Iran is a de facto dictatorship.