Sports

Soccer Officials Arrested in Zurich; World Cup Votes Probed

Published

10 years ago

May 27, 2015

A man walks next to the FIFA logo at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, Wednesday morning, May 27, 2015. Swiss federal prosecutors say they have opened criminal proceedings related to the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. The prosecutors’ office says the proceedings are against “persons unknown on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and of money laundering” in connection with the votes won by Russia and Qatar. (Ennio Leanza/Keystone via AP)

GRAHAM DUNBAR, AP Sports Writer

ZURICH (AP) — Swiss prosecutors opened criminal proceedings into FIFA on Wednesday, only hours after seven soccer officials were arrested and threatened with extradition to the U.S. in an investigation of what was called “rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted” corruption.

FIFA, meanwhile, said Friday’s presidential election would go ahead as planned with Sepp Blatter going for a fifth term. Blatter was not named in either investigation.

FIFA also ruled out a revote of the World Cups won by Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.

European football’s governing body UEFA said the election should be postponed and that it would consider boycotting this week’s FIFA congress following the arrests.

UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said the corruption investigations into FIFA “tarnish the image of football as a whole.”

The Swiss prosecutors’ office said in a statement they seized “electronic data and documents” at FIFA’s headquarters on Wednesday as part of their probe. And Swiss police said they will question 10 FIFA executive committee members who took part in the World Cup votes in December 2010.

The Swiss investigation against “persons unknown on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and of money laundering” again throws into the doubt the integrity of the voting.

“FIFA is fully cooperating with the investigation and is supporting the collection of evidence in this regard,” FIFA said in a statement.

The Swiss announcement came only hours after 14 people were indicted in the U.S. for corruption. Seven of them were arrested and detained by Swiss police at the request of U.S. authorities after a raid at a luxury hotel in Zurich.

The U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement that two current FIFA vice presidents were among those arrested and indicted: Jeffrey Webb of the Cayman Islands and Eugenio Figueredo of Uruguay. The others are Eduardo Li of Costa Rica, Julio Rocha of Nicaragua, Costas Takkas of Britain, Rafael Esquivel of Venezuela and Jose Maria Marin of Brazil.

All seven are connected with the regional confederations of North and South America and face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

“The indictment alleges corruption that is rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted both abroad and here in the United States,” Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch said in the statement. “It spans at least two generations of soccer officials who, as alleged, have abused their positions of trust to acquire millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks.”

The Swiss justice ministry said six of the seven officials arrested oppose extradition to the United States, adding that U.S. authorities now have 40 days to submit the formal extradition request.

One of those detained, who was unidentified, agreed to “a simplified extradition procedure,” meaning he can be sent to the U.S. in the coming days.

Nine of the 14 that were indicted by the Justice Department are soccer officials, while four are sports marketing executives and another works in broadcasting. Jack Warner, a former FIFA vice president from Trinidad and Tobago, was among those indicted.

The Swiss prosecutors’ office said the U.S. probe was separate from its investigation but that authorities were working together.

The votes to award the World Cups to Russia and Qatar have been surrounded in controversy and accusations of corruption.

Qatar, a tiny Gulf nation with little soccer tradition, was criticized from the start for its extreme summer heat. FIFA has since been forced to move the tournament to November-December instead of the usual June-July time slot.

FIFA also hired U.S. attorney Michael Garcia to investigate the 2018 and 2022 bid process. His findings were never fully released and both Russia and Qatar were confirmed as hosts. Garcia’s full report was turned over to Swiss authorities in November, prompting Wednesday’s raid on FIFA headquarters.

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, who is also a FIFA executive committee member, told The Associated Press “we’ve got nothing to hide.”

“We’re prepared to show everything,” Mutko said in a telephone interview. “We’ve always acted within the law.”

Qatari soccer officials declined to comment.

The U.S. case involves bribes “totaling more than $100 million” linked to commercial deals dating back to the 1990s for soccer tournaments in the United States and Latin America, the Swiss Federal Office of Justice said. The Justice Department said the corruption is linked to World Cup qualifying matches and the Copa America — South America’s continental championship.

U.S. prosecutors in New York said they had uncovered a dozen different schemes during its investigation, and some involved the awarding of the 2010 World Cup. South Africa, with the backing of Nelson Mandela, beat rival bids from Morocco and Egypt to host the tournament in 2010, four years after narrowly losing out to Germany for the previous tournament.

Dozens of soccer officials are in Switzerland for the FIFA congress and presidential election, where Blatter is widely expected to win re-election at the helm of the governing body of world soccer.

Blatter had been scheduled to attend a meeting of the Confederation of African Football in a different downtown Zurich hotel, but he canceled his appearance. He later canceled his plans to attend a meeting of the South American confederation.

Blatter’s only opponent in Friday’s presidential election, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, seized on the situation to push his candidacy.

“We cannot continue with the crisis in FIFA, a crisis that has been ongoing and is not just relevant to the events of today,” Prince Ali said in a statement. “FIFA needs leadership that governs, guides and protects our national associations. … Leadership that restores confidence in the hundreds of millions of football fans around the world.”

The arrests were made at the lakeside Baur au Lac Hotel in downtown Zurich, long favored as a place for senior FIFA officials to stay. It was the stage for intense lobbying for votes ahead of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosting decisions.

In Florida, a small group of agents from the FBI and IRS executed search warrants at CONCACAF headquarters in Miami Beach.

Neither agency offered comment on the investigation.

The North American regional body, known as CONCACAF, reported itself to U.S. tax authorities in 2012. Then based in New York, the organization had not paid taxes over several years when its president was Warner and secretary general was Chuck Blazer of the United States.

Warner left soccer in 2011 to avoid FIFA sanctions in a bribery scandal during that year’s presidential election. Blazer left in 2013 and has pleaded guilty to charges, the Justice Department said in Wednesday’s statement.

Warner’s successor as CONCACAF leader and FIFA vice president is Webb, who was staying at the Baur au Lac this week.

The Swiss Federal Office of Justice said in its statement that U.S. authorities suspect the arrested officials of having received or paid bribes totaling millions of dollars and that the crimes were agreed to and prepared in the U.S., and payments carried out via U.S. banks.

“The bribery suspects — representatives of sports media and sports promotion firms — are alleged to have been involved in schemes to make payments to the soccer functionaries (FIFA delegates) and other functionaries of FIFA sub-organizations – totaling more than USD 100 million,” the FOJ statement said.

___

AP Sports Writer Rob Harris and Associated Press writer Frank Jordans in Zurich, and Associated Press writer Curt Anderson in Miami contributed to this report.

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Sacramento Kings and Black-Owned Digital License Plate Firm Enter History-Making Partnership

Reviver founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston attended the Sacramento Kings’ season opener at Golden 1 Center, witnessing players debut the company’s patch. Reviver proudly supports the Sacramento Kings’ community and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media (CBM).

Published

2 months ago

November 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Reviver founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston attended the Sacramento Kings' season opener at Golden 1 Center, witnessing players debut the company's patch. Reviver proudly supports the Sacramento Kings' community and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Photo by Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media (CBM).

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

Reviver, the world’s first digital license plate and connected vehicle platform, has entered into a history-making jersey patch partnership with the Sacramento Kings, team officials announced right before the team’s season opener on Oct. 24.

The collaboration establishes Reviver as the first Black-founded technology jersey patch partner in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The Reviver logo now appears on the left front strap of Kings’ uniforms.

Reviver founder and Chief Strategy Officer Neville Boston was in attendance to see the company’s patch worn by the Kings, during a game with the Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden 1 Center in downtown Sacramento.

“It was an absolutely amazing night. More than I ever expected,” Boston told California Black Media (CBM). “The Sacramento Kings have been incredible. On a national, and maybe a worldwide level, this partnership raises the profile of Reviver with the assistance of (Kings chairman and CEO) Vivek Ranadivé and the Kings.”

According to the Kings’ brass, Reviver, supported by the Black Star Fund, a Black-led venture capital firm based in Sacramento, is now an official “innovation partner” of the Kings and Golden 1 Center; a presenting partner of “Capitalize Technology,” a King’s corporate social investment initiative; and the exclusive digital license plate of the Sacramento Kings.

Headquartered in Granite Bay, a suburb of Sacramento, Reviver was born from a vision to modernize and streamline the vehicle registration renewal process. On Jan. 1, 2023, the state of California joined Georgia, Colorado, Michigan, and Arizona as states that have approved digital license plates for use statewide, after Reviver completed a four-year pilot program that evaluated a replacement for metal plates.

About 10,000 California drivers bought digital plates during the pilot program. Vehicles registered with the state are eligible to adopt the new high-tech tags. Reviver existence was made possible when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 984 in September 2022.

Under that law, California vehicle owners can update their titles, registrations, and other records remotely. In addition, the digital license “RPlate” includes a flashing message if a vehicle is reported stolen or if there is an Amber Alert.

Ranadivé is spreading the news that Reviver has international potential.

“This jersey patch partnership with Reviver continues the Kings long tradition of using our global platform to promote innovation and technology,” Ranadivé stated. “It’s particularly exciting to showcase a homegrown company that was part of our Kings Capitalize program. This is just the beginning of our work together, and we look forward to helping Reviver in its mission to modernize the driving experience.”

The commercial use of patches in professional basketball all began in 2009 when the Women’s Basketball Association (WNBA) Phoenix Mercury removed its name to replace it with sponsor, LifeLock, an identity-theft protection company. The landmark deal netted a contract worth about $1 million annually.

Kindra Montgomery-Block, vice president of diversity, equity, and social impact for the Sacramento Kings, was the integral facilitator who assisted Boston and his team in connecting with the sports franchise that is boasting 40 years in the Capital City.

“This partnership between the Kings and Reviver, backed by the Black Star Fund, will invest in the Sacramento community to promote technology and innovation in the region,” Montgomery-Block stated. “Reviver will support the Sacramento Kings community and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.”

Editor’s Note: Neville Boston is a California Black Media board member.

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Black History

Martial Artist Victor Moore: An American Karate and Kickboxing Pioneer

Throughout his career, Moore defeated many national champions, including Joe Lewis, Mike Stone, and Bill “Superfoot” Wallace. Moore placed in every tournament he competed in from 1965 until his retirement in 1975, defeating renowned national champions such as Mike Foster, Chuck Norris, Fred Wren, Glenn Keeney, James Hawkes, and Jim Kelly. Moore emphasizes that winning or losing does not diminish a champion’s credibility — they are all champions in his eyes.

Published

2 months ago

November 3, 2024

Oakland Post

Photo Courtesy of BlackPast.Org

By Tamara Shiloh

Victor Moore, born on Aug. 23, 1943, holds a 10th-degree Black Belt in Karate and is a four-time world karate champion.

As one of the chief instructors under Robert Trias in the Shuri-ryu Karate system, Moore was also among the first ten members of the Trias International Society. Over his 50-year martial arts career, he trained in various styles, including Chito-ryu with William J. Dometrich, Judo, Kempo, and Bondo karate.

Moore began his martial arts journey at the age of 7 in Cincinnati, lifting weights and reading Charles Atlas books to guide his training. By age 9, he had learned the basics of jujitsu and judo, and at 12, he began training in Kempo karate under Ronald Williams, who awarded him his first black belt after five years of instruction.

In 1961, Moore expanded his training by joining a judo school led by Ray Hughes and later trained in Gyu Ryu-karate under Harvey Eubanks. He studied Kempo with Bill Dometrich and continued exploring different karate styles. Instructors at the time, required students to start as white belts in each new style, even if they held black belts elsewhere, which shaped Moore’s adaptability.

Chung Ling, an exchange student from China, introduced Moore and others to Chuan Fa, enhancing Moore’s understanding of martial arts. He also took up judo at a school in Cincinnati, where he earned his brown belt, and trained in karate with Jim Wax, who had studied under the Shimabuku brothers. Moore’s toughness was further honed by his boxing experience at the 9th Street YMCA, where he became a sparring partner for Tiger Joe Harris.

At Central State University, Professor Barry Yasuto trained Moore in Shotokan karate, but Moore was denied entry to the Japanese Karate Association, possibly due to his race. After returning to Cincinnati, Moore opened his first karate school and began competing in national tournaments. He traveled across the U.S., eventually meeting Robert Trias, who became his mentor and helped him rise to the second-degree black belt level. Under Trias, Moore continued training in Kempo and Goju-Ryu styles.

Moore also trained under Dr. Maung Gyi, learning Bondo karate, stick fighting, and kickboxing. In 1973, Moore and Joe Lewis introduced kickboxing to America on the Merv Griffin TV show. Moore competed in the first kickboxing tournament in the U.S., facing Jim Harrison in a historic fight.

Moore continues to teach martial arts, working with instructors and students nationwide. His daughters, Vickie and Vonnie, and his son, Vanceston, also train under his guidance.

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Bay Area

Cal State East Bay Athletic Department Holds Hall of Fame Gala

The university honored exceptional athletes, teams, and coaches at their annual celebration before 200 guests. The Class of 2024 included the 1999-2000 Pioneer Softball Team that won the Cal Pac Championship in 2000 and went on to win the first two games of the NAIA Region II Playoffs and combined 32-3 in CalPac over the two seasons.

Published

2 months ago

November 3, 2024

Oakland Post

Honoree Lorenzo Hall of CSUEB's Men's Basketball Team 1986-1990 surrounded by his family at the CSUEB 2024 Pioneer Hall of Fame Gala at the Pioneer Gymnasium in Hayward, California. Photo Courtesy of Dr. LaQuitta Simms.

By Carla Thomas

California State University East Bay Athletics (CSUEB) hosted their 2024 Pioneer Hall of Fame Gala at the Pioneer Gymnasium in Hayward on Saturday, Oct. 19.

The university honored exceptional athletes, teams, and coaches at their annual celebration before 200 guests.

The Class of 2024 included the 1999-2000 Pioneer Softball Team that won the Cal Pac Championship in 2000 and went on to win the first two games of the NAIA Region II Playoffs and combined 32-3 in CalPac over the two seasons.

The 1999 CalPac Player of the Year was Pioneer Hall-of-Famer Danielle Stines and also on the 1999 team was Pioneer Hall-of-Famer Angel Alcorcha.

In 2000, the Pioneers swept the premier CalPac Awards, and Rachel Abrams was named Player of the Year, Christy Smith was named Pitcher of the Year, and Karen Lee Yoder (Matteson) was named Coach of the Year. Their team record for batting average in 1999 still stands after 25 years with an amazing combined .347.

Lorenzo Hall of CSUEB’s Men’s Basketball Team 1986-1990 was recognized for his achievements as a two-time All-NCAC selection, ranking in the top-10 in program history for assists, steals, free throw percentage and scoring.

At the time of his graduation, Hall held NCAC records for assists and steals. He also served as an assistant coach for the Pioneers after his playing career and created the nonprofit First Step Basketball to guide the next generation of young athletes.

Inductee and Women’s Gymnastics Coach Dorie Krepton of 1971-1985 led the team through winning 145 of 171 meets, 84% of their competition.

Through her 14 years of leading the Pioneers, Krepton coached the program to five Golden Gate Conference Championships, and the team qualified and participated in six NCAA Gymnastics National Championships. She also coached 10 All-American Athletes, including Pioneer Hall of Famers Holly Moore Leonard and Janet Kramer.

The seven-time Coach of the Year honoree served as Kinesiology and Physical Education professor emeritus at Cal State East Bay, which offered a degree option in exercise nutrition in the Kinesiology Department.

Bob Olsen of the CSUEB Men’s Track and Field Team, 1976-1979, was a member of 1977 NCAA Division II National Championship team and the two-time Far Western Conference Champion in pole vault, 1978 and 1979. Olsen was a four-time All-Conference selection and in 1976, Olsen became the first freshman pole vaulter in Division II to clear 16 feet.

Olsen was in the top 10 in the pole vault at the NCAA Division II Championships four times in his career.

Honoree Kulwant Singh served as the men’s and women’s assistant soccer coach from 1983-1990. The women’s team won six straight conference championships from 1984 to 1989. Singh served on the coaching staff alongside Pioneer Hall of Famer Colin Lindores.

In 1985, Singh coached the women’s team to an undefeated regular season (18-0) and lost to UC Santa Barbara on a golden goal in the NCAA playoffs. Singh was assistant coach for the 1988 NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship team and helped the 1989 men’s soccer team reach the NCAA Division II Championship semifinals.

Singh also played on the pitch as a Pioneer before coaching in Hayward and currently serves as commissioner for the Central Valley Conference.

The inductees also participated in several days of alumni activity, beginning with Pioneer Alumni Day on Thursday, Oct. 17.

With the addition of the new members, the Pioneers Hall of Fame now features 119 individuals and four teams.

During sports seasons, the Pioneer Gymnasium is open to the public, and guests can view the school’s Hall of Fame Wall.