Atlantis... site of FIFA Congress 2009

Today, I flew to Nassau, Bahamas, where I joined members of the Bahamas Football Association in meetings with four government ministries to prepare for the visit of FIFA staff next week where we will host the FIFA Congress next June.

Paradise Island sits just north of the capital Nassau, and is home of the famous Atlantis Resort comprised of multi-tower complex of hi-rise hotel buildings and spectacular beach front and water park amidst dozens of fine restaurants and extraordinary convention facilities.

The Wheels got Rolling in Zurich...

Parked in front of FIFA House, our antique Mercedes finally gets out of the mechanic's shop and onto the road.

After the meetings at FIFA, we went to a small Italian restaurant on the shore of Lake Zurich and Mary Lynn got out of the back seat while I snapper her pix...

In time for dinner, I posed for a candid shot in front of our headlights and smiled as a restoration taking almost 2 years came to a happy ending.

A Lovely Dinner with Friends at Terrasse...

One of my favorite Zurich restaurants, Terrasse, where I am joined with Mary Lynn, Jim Brown and his wife Angie and Barbara Fascchetti of FIFA. Thanks to all for a really nice evening.

Almost Ready for Prime Time...

Misusing the tools of justice...

I am on my way to Zurich for a meeting on Tuesday of the Players Status Committee. I am the Deputy Chairman of that Committee and have been so through three Chairmen, Slim Aloulou of Tunisia, Gerhard Meyer-Vorfelder and the current holder of the chair, England's Geoff Thompson.

I must say that prior to the Olympics, I was totally shocked when I got a call from the Associated Press, asking me what I knew about a single judge making a decision in the matter of the release of players for the Olympics. I knew nothing about it. Furthermore, I knew that when we created the role of the Single Judge, as part of a pre-DRC (Dispute Resolution Chamber) Players Status Committee world, the stated intention of that post was to handle the overflow of routine cases which came before the PSC and were easily resolved based on fact.

Yes, before the DRC, all Player disputes came before the full committee. As time went on and the backlog grew, it was clear that most of these could be handled administratively, but should have the stamp of the Chairman of the Committee in a newly formed capacity of Single Judge.  All major matters were still to have been brought before the full Committee or Bureau for action.

Many years later, I find that when convenience suits the cause, our institutions can be misused for purposes of expediency or worse. In the matter of the release of Olympic players I choose not to declare which, only that it was wrong. Wrong to take the matter to the Single Judge; wrong to have taken the position that decisions which we spent considerable time on creating, such as the International Calendar, were no longer of any relevance since it didn't suit the interests of some people who preferred to claim that night was day.

The members of the PSC were duly proud of its record and the overwhelming confirmation that it received from CAS (Court of Arbitration in Sport) on decision after decision which found its way there on appeal. I had no doubt that the claim being filed by AC Milan and the German Clubs against FIFA would be upheld since there was no basis to believe otherwise. Indeed, I had in advance of any decision taken by FIFA advised the Administration that what was being sent to the Emergency Committee had not basis and the references to prior practice preceded the application and use of the International Calendar.

So, why then the use of Single Judge.  Logically, the PSC was the place to review the application of the International Calendar and the release of players.  The Single Judge was the wrong instrument. It is my intention on Tuesday to make this very point. The Single Judge must be restricted to function within the original intent of the Committee exclusively on simple and routine matters. Otherwise, the rest of us don't need to bother to make the trip.

Drew is two... let's party

Drew Goldfarb, the youngest of my grandchildren, hits the mark of 2 years of age today. Last night, to celebrate this event, we went to Elaine's for a nice family dinner. With the Yankee game behind us, I actually showed some signs of a sun burn, and the kids had a great time. Duck was on the menu, so it was special. Barry, the eatery's chef, doesn't make it that often. Mary Lynn took some great pix of the kids. Happy Birthday Drew.

The last ray of sunshine...

Robinson Cano records the last hit ever in a day game at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees, slotted to moved to their new home, just blocks north of the historic park where I saw my first baseball game at the age of 5, will finalize their farewell on Sunday night, September 21st, while I am on a Swiss International flight to Zurich. It was great to be in the sun in the ballpark and be part of this historic weekend.

The Yanks leave the field to the song New York, New York, sung by Frank Sinatra. As I covered the panoramic view, my camera ends with a smile from world famous photographer and friend Neil Leifer who just produced a brilliant short film called What About Sal? While it is set in Fenway Park, the home of the competition, it is a great flick to see. Don't miss it!!!