FIFA president Sepp Blatter - Roosewelt Pinheiro/Abr Photo

SPORTS NOTES - FIFA'S PESIDENTIAL RACE IS HEATING UP

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

With FIFA engulfed with bribery accusations of its members the story won't go away. Just a few days before the elections FIFA President Sepp Blatter's opponent FIFA Executive Committee member Mohamed bin Hammam from Qatar is now being taken to task being accused of improprieties. It appears to be the beginning of a major mud throwing competition

DOWN & DIRTY

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Things are heating up prior to the upcoming FIFA presidential elections pitting FIFA Executive Committee member Mohamed bin Hammam from Qatar taking on the incumbent Sep Blatter. Two recent FIFA press releases emerged and the $#!t is starting to hit the fan.

Today's release is as follows:

On 24 May 2011, FIFA Executive Committee member and CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer reported to FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke possible violations of the FIFA Code of Ethics allegedly committed by officials.

In particular, the report referred to a special meeting of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), apparently organized jointly by FIFA Vice-President Jack A. Warner and FIFA Executive Committee member Mohamed bin Hammam, which took place on 10 and 11 May 2011. This meeting was linked to the upcoming FIFA presidential election.

In view of the facts alleged in this report, which include bribery allegations, FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke, in compliance with art. 16 of the FIFA Code of Ethics yesterday requested the FIFA Ethics Committee to open ethics proceedings.

Subsequently, the FIFA Ethics Committee today, 25 May 2011, opened a procedure against the following officials:

- FIFA Vice-President Jack A. Warner

- FIFA Executive Committee member Mohamed bin Hammam

- CFU official Debbie Minguell

- CFU official Jason Sylvester

The aforementioned officials have been invited to take position by 27 May 2011 and to attend a hearing by the FIFA Ethics Committee at the Home of FIFA (Zurich) on 29 May 2011.

In addition the timing couldn't be better for Blatter as a FIFA released Saturday May 21st noted that he is schmoozing in Africa. It is perfect timing since the elections are a few days away.

The release is as follows:

Under the stewardship of Sub-Saharan African football governing body, COSAFA, CECAFA, UNIFAC, and WAFU regions including 37 federation presidents from CAF gathered in South Africa to discuss the legacy of last year's FIFA World Cup for Africa. In attendance was FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.

The timing of the meeting is perfect to be associating and celebrating with those that vote. As the sullied events emerge it appears this will be a down and dirty presidential race for that $1 million a month plus job. Stay tuned...

Spain's Carlos Puyol - FIFA photo Spain's Fernando Torres - FIFA photo

FIFA TOP 10 - Spain and the Netherlands continue to set the pace

No changes at the top - The top 50 has a slightly more African flavour: UEFA continues to be the best-represented confederation with 29 teams

Only seven international “A” matches, all of them friendlies, have been played since the previous edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. Consequently, there have not been any changes among the leading pack. Spain and the Netherlands continue to set the pace, some distance ahead of Brazil, Germany and Argentina.

Major changes are also thin on the ground further down the ranking. Among the top 25, only Chile (13th, up 1) and Japan (14th, down 1) have traded places. Senegal (40th, up 11), have made greater headway, clawing their way back into the top 50 for the first time since January 2009. With no teams dropping out of the top 50 – Albania (unchanged) and Colombia (down 1) share 50th place – the top 50 has a slightly more African flavour: UEFA continues to be the best-represented confederation with 29 teams, followed by CAF (9 teams), CONMEBOL (6), the AFC (4), CONCACAF (3) and the OFC (0).

Afghanistan (164th, up 10) are the only team this month to reach their highest position since the introduction of the ranking in 1993. However, South Africa (38th, up 1), Malawi (72nd, up 6) and Nepal (147th, up 3) have at least now claimed their loftiest perch since the calculation system was revamped in July 2006.

Management summary

· Leader Spain (unchanged)

· Moves into top 10 none

· Moves out of top 10 none

· Matches played in total 7

· Most matches played Afghanistan, Korea DPR, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania (2 each)

· Biggest move by points Senegal (up 52 points)

· Biggest move by ranks Senegal (up 11 ranks)

· Biggest drop by points Congo DR (down 35 points)

· Biggest drop by ranks Congo DR (down 10 ranks)

· Newly ranked teams none

· Teams that are no longer ranked none

· Inactive teams, not ranked São Tomé e Príncipe

FIFA TOP 10 for May, 2011

Rank -- Team -- Points

1. Spain - 1857

2. Netherlands - 1702

3. Brazil - 1423

4. Germany - 1413

5. Argentina - 1267

6. England - 1163

7. Uruguay - 1094

8. Portugal - 1052

9. Italy - 1019

10. Croatia - 991

The next FIFA World Ranking will be published on 29 June 2011.

FIFA