h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

And any financial inducements paid to FIFA officials returned?

It would save them a lot of money after all.

PP.

It would be the start of a slippery slope. I say no but they need to tighten up selection for this kind of event in future.

OTOH: organisations like FIFA and the IOC are businesses who are out to make money, why are we ever surprised about accusations of corruption?

Who says we're surprised? I doubt anyone is surprised, but I imagine people might disapprove, and want to clamp down on it.

No its an ideal partnership.

I live in a country [U.S.A.] that has mounted incursions of a number of countries since the 1940s. If not invading other countries were a prerequisite for qualifying to host international sporting events, my country would have been denied the opportunity many times. Belgium, Monaco, Paraguay, and Switzerland would be among the few countries that would still be eligible . Do we want the pool of applicants to be that small?

I think Russia should be given the benefit of what doubt still exists.

As corrupt as FIFA and IOC may be, I am definitely pleased that they are (at least in principle) independent of governments.

Noone seemed to be suggesting that they be stripped of this when they annexed sections of Crimea shortly after - if not during -the recent winter Olympics.

The relations between Russia/Ukraine - and with Western Europe have a looong history and I doubt that withholding a footie tournament will make any difference.