Will McBeth Be Punished Like VR?

There has been a lot of hysteria in the papers about comments made by Britain’s next FIFA vice-president, John McBeth.

McBeth had a few things to say about what he sees as some of the nations in the world more susceptible to corruption than others. Typically in these days of over the top political correctness, it would appear that the guy has committed a sin as great as the Nazis’ attempted extinction of the Jews! The comments causing the stir are below:

‘As soon as you hit Africa it’s a slightly different kettle of fish. They’re poor nations and want to grab what they can.

‘I know two or three whom I’d want to count my fingers after shaking hands with them.

‘I presume the Caribbean is much the same – they just come at it in a different way.

‘If I come across corruption I have to expose it. I must try to stay true to my beliefs and hope I don’t get seduced.’

I can see why people weren’t happy with the nature of McBeth’s comments. He could definitely have been a bit cleverer with the way he worded them and still gotten his point across I think. Perhaps these are the words of your stereotypical FIFA board-member – an outdated, arrogant, smug git. It certainly would appear so.

However, while I think there has been a slight over-reaction to this (after all, the alleged corruption that he’s referring to could well exist), there is little doubt that McBeth should be taken to task. But I wonder if the SFA will take a similar stance to the one they have on Vladimir Romanov any time he’s voiced his opinions about alleged corruption in the game? If not, then I fear we will have yet more evidence of our football governing body’s xenophobic attitude towards our colourful owner.

All we’re asking for is consistency here, but I don’t suppose this is a word that representatives of the SFA would be familiar with………..