The BBC betray the English public who pay for it

As an English football fan and a BBC licence payer, I am absolutely disgusted by the decision of the BBC to screen the ‘so called’ revelations regarding the alleged corruption of FIFA officials in their Panarama programme on Monday evening.

Journalism

The BBC are hiding behind phrases such as ‘it was in the public interest’ and defending the right of investigative journalism. I whole heartedly support the right of investigative journalism and the right to a free press and media. There are few who don’t. Where I fall out with the BBC is on two counts. Firstly, to call this investigative journalism is stretching the point to it’s limit and secondly, it is in no way in the public interest.

The public interest for football supporters in England is in getting the World Cup staged in our country. The excitement, the spectacle and the economic gain are all great things for us. As for the non-football supporting public, I don’t suppose they could give a toss! What public are you talking about BBC?

Let us get the facts about the so-called revelations straight for a start. The allegations relate to the period from 1989 to 1999. That’s right, the most recent allegation is from eleven years ago! Not only that, but much of the issues was dealt with in a court case back in 2008.

Innocent

I am not saying that the three named FIFA officials are innocent and I’m not saying they’re guilty. What I am saying is that it was a long time ago and has no bearing on the current bidding process which is going to end with a decision around the 2018 World Cup venue on Thursday.

For the BBC to decide to broadcast these allegations three days before decision day is a national disgrace and one that sadly typifies the attitude of the media in England and the BBC in particular.

A spokesperson for Panarama said yesterday that they had received a list showing the alleged payment of bribes in October, and had spent the intervening time checking the claims and putting them to those named. Mr Edwards added Panorama presented its evidence to Fifa on 10 November.

He went on to say,

Nonsense

“Some people have said that it would have been better to do it after the vote but it is surely nonsense to suggest that you know a process could be flawed and you don’t say anything until after it has happened. I am not prepared to sit on information we have. I believe that it is in everyone’s interest that there should be a fair process and that corruption should be exposed.”

The fact that Panarama are alleging that bribes were taken by three officials eleven years ago is definitely news worthy, of that there is no argument. I would ask their spokesperson to point out where in their programme they showed any suggestion that the current process is tainted in any way? The allegations do not relate to this process and therefore there is absolutely no reason why they couldn’t have ‘sat on them’ until after the decision had been made as everyone connected with football had asked them to do.

The English FA described the investigation as an “embarrassment to the BBC”.

Unambiguous

Their statement was unambiguous.

“We stand by our previous position that the BBC’s Panorama did nothing more than rake over a series of historical allegations none of which are relevant to the current bidding process. The 2018 team are entirely focused on winning the bid for England.”

Human nature tells us that the people voting will not take kindly to what has happened and whilst they will try to be professional, they will hardly be looking on England’s bid favourably.

Media

UEFA top man Michel Platini says that the English media may well play a part in the decision making process.

“I don’t think this programme will have an effect, no, but I think what may affect the decision is the atmosphere going back a long time and what people have been writing about Fifa in the British press for many years.”

The BBC are in an indefensible and untenable position and have let down the entire country. I have no doubt that in 2018, if the Cup goes to Spain or Russia, the BBC will bid for the right to broadcast it and send many reporters out there to enjoy the whole occasion. What a shame that the national broadcasting company have tried so hard to prevent the rest of us doing the same.