There are so many allegations of disgraceful sporting conduct taking place all over the world it makes you wonder if everything is tainted. Maybe WWE Raw is as as honest as it gets, and frankly, that is scary. We know of the reports of the Alberto Contador doping scandal from the Tour de France, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Making big headlines right now is the story of Cam Newton, the Auburn quarterback, being offered to the the highest bidder for between $100,000 to $180,000. Newton's father, Cecil is reported to have made the pitch and said that his son's enrollment was "not gonna be free this time." If this proves to be true it will rip open the NCAA governance of collegiate sport and probably negate any chance of Newton claiming a Heisman.
Topping that we have the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), the Zurich-based soccer governing organization, saying on November 17 they will announce the ethics committee’s decision on whether to expel Nigeria’s Amos Adamu and Tahiti’s Reynald Temarii. The two were suspended on October 21, 2010 after the duo allegedly told undercover reporters they would exchange their World Cup votes for cash. If they are expelled, 22 members of the executive committee will vote on the 2018 and 2022 hosts for sport’s most-watched event.
On a lesser scale but bad enough, we have Ted Forstmann, the chief executive officer of IMG Worldwide Inc., making a $40,000 wager on Roger Federer, to beat Rafael Nadal in the 2007 French Open final. IMG is the sports agency that represents athletes including golfer Tiger Woods and Federer, said in an interview that he regretted betting on Federer to win the match against Nadal, also an IMG client. The ATP has sent the message very clearly to Mr. Forstmann that we consider his behavior inappropriate and that he will be in violation of the rules if he engages in such activity in the future,” the ATP said. Forstmann’s bet, which was criticized by Federer, may form part of a lawsuit that accuses the executive of using company funds to cover gambling losses, the New York Times said. Forstmann denies wrongdoing and said the bet was legal. It may have been lawful but it wasn't right and he should have known better.
What is going to take to get this garbage out of sport? I guess maybe it's impossible, but I sure hope that the governing bodies make examples of those proven to be breaking the rules. Greed seems to be the guiding factor in so much of sport and it is sickening. Sport is supposed to be the great leveler, where talent speaks for itself, it is supposed to be the arena where any person can shine and earn their way. There is nothing wrong with making a good living out of sport if one has the ability; as a player, scout, coach, referee or administrator. But not at the expense of the team, the league, the fans and the game. Thankfully we still have personalities with integrity, like Federer who set the right example and lead the way.
Spain's ace cyclist Alberto Contador is once again in the spotlight. Earlier this year he won his third Tour de France, the Holy Grail of road cycling. However, this time he is in media headlines for something less palatable... he has been found with a banned substance in his bloodstream. The tested samples were taken during the actual race. Unfortunately some people are calling for his blood, literally, before the full facts are known. Trial by innuendo, privately or in the press, is not justice and never has been. If proven to be a dope cheat, by an appropriate body, then and only then, should the floggings and lynchings begin! Until then, Contador continues to vigorously maintain his innocence and hide in his grandmother's garage.