Thursday

American needs to refocus on education.....

By The Editor-in-Chief

Like most watchers of the current political climate, we have all become accustomed to the usual spin, each political cycle, about how the creation of jobs is central to the growth of the economy.
Who would disagree with such an assertion you might ask, but then when you begin to think the whole thing through, you come to the realization it is not as simple as just creating jobs.
The truth most politicians like to avoid is that there are in fact jobs out there. The problem though is that this country continues to lack the Intellectual Capital needed to meet the growing capacity needs of these mostly technical and medical opportunities.
That a country of the magnitude and influence of the United States has to import medical practitioners (doctors and nurses) and technology professionals, speaks volumes of the apparent dearth in the country's key Intellectual Capital base.
The fact remains that America needs to refocus its attention on education and ensure that children are steered towards professions and occupations, that will allow the US maintain its competitive edge, while retaining its leadership position in the world.
When you have a society where "American Idol" is the top rated program on television, that pretty much sums up where the country's focus is.
That athletes and entertainers remain not just the top earners in the American society, but also shape the cultural and moral tenor of the nation, is quite disturbing.
Most of the revered athletes and entertainers lack the moral compass to shape the direction of their own homes, much less society at large.
It is incumbent upon our political, social and other leaders to help this nation have the right conversations we need to have. America must return back to the basics and stress the importance of education at all levels.
Government does not and will never create jobs. The former can however be a catalyst in helping to create the right environment that would engender a spirit of excellence, through education and innovation.
The journey begins now and our leaders must have the courage to tell the American people the truth.... improve yourself if you want to live a better life!

Wednesday

Qatar-owned PSG and FIFA boss Gianni Infantino accused of corruption in FFP probe


CC™ PersPective

By Arab News

“FIFA boss Infantino helped PSG get around Financial Fair Play rulesAlso alleged former French President Nicolas Sarkozy promised French backing for the Qatar World Cup if the gulf state bought the Paris club.”

UEFA helped Paris Saint-Germain get around their own Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, and according to a Football Leaks investigation published this weekend.

It has also been alleged that former French President Nicolas Sarkozy promised Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani that then UEFA president Michel Platini would back the Gulf state’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup on condition of Doha buying PSG and launch BeIN Sports channel in France.

The leaks form part of a treasure trove of allegations that further undermine the credibility of the FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, who promised to clean up football’s governing body on taking over from the discredited Sepp Blatter, and the decision to award the 2022 hosting rights to Qatar. 

Among the allegations it is said that Infantino, as UEFA secretary general, allowed PSG to operate with impunity regarding FFP, the body dishing out only minor penalties for violations to the Qatar-owned club, falling way short of  the most severe penalty that could have been thrown at them — expulsion from the Champions League. 

Infantino — despite an obligation to strict neutrality — reportedly met for secret negotiations with club bosses PSG. 

Since Qatar took over Paris Saint-Germain in 2011 it has invested over €1 billion on players alone and greatly increased the budget of the capital club.

Football Leaks points the finger at PSG's five-year agreement with the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), valued at €1.075 ($1.22 billion), or €215 million a year.

That is despite the investigation claiming that "two independent auditors assigned by UEFA valued the contract as (far less than the value ascribed by PSG).”

UEFA rules say clubs cannot spend more than they earn in any given season and deficits must fall within a €30 million limit over three seasons.

PSG were fined €60 million by UEFA in May 2014, but were told they would get €40 million back if they stuck to the terms of their settlement. This bypassed the Financial Control Panel of European football's governing body. Infantino’s proposal, it is reported, was for a "fine of €20 million instead of €60 (million).”

FIFA have blasted the claims as an attempt to "undermine the leadership" of the global body.

"It seems obvious from the 'reporting' carried out in some media outlets that there is only one particular aim — an attempt to undermine the new leadership of FIFA and, in particular, the president, Gianni Infantino, and the secretary general, Fatma Samoura,” football’s governing body said in a statement. 

The under fire Infantino added: "It is always a challenge to change things, to move forward, and to bring people together in order to do things better.

"And, as we are resolutely implementing the reforms at FIFA, it was always clear to me that I would face strong opposition, especially from those who cannot anymore shamelessly profit from the system they were part of."

PSG have responded to the allegations by insisting they have "always strictly complied with all applicable laws and regulations and firmly denies the allegations published today by Mediapart.”

FIFA made no mention of the reported promise made by Sarkozy to Qatar regarding the World Cup, but it once again brings into question the decision to award the hosting of the tournament to the gulf state. 

It has long been rumored that the sale of PSG to Qatar was part of a deal in which France would back the Doha bid for the 2022 tournament — something Sarkozy and then UEFA president Michel Platini have always denied. 

But since the shock announcement that Qatar would be hosting the 2022 event, allegations of dirty deals and corruption have never been far away and the pressure to see the World Cup played somewhere else will likely only increase. 

ArabNewsSport