The Great FIFA Swindle

Karl Marx once wrote "The extent of the power of money is the extent of my power."

For Liverpool and other big clubs, that means they can get their way. Case in point: Javier Mascherano.

FIFA's rules mandate that no player can play for more than two different clubs between 1 July and 30 June the following year. Yet Mascherano had ALREADY played for Corinthians and West Ham.

FIFA, in their true racket fashion, allowed the deal to go through. He would eventually play in the Champions League Final.

This January Fulham attempted the same. They placed a bid for Rangers striker Daniel Cousin, and the two clubs agreed on it. Yet Cousin has already played for Lens and Rangers. Surely FIFA would let this slide too, right? I mean, it's only fair...

Yet FIFA, in their true racket fashion, said "No" to the smaller clubs. Now Fulham doesn't have a quality striker and Cousin probably doesn't even have a locker space at the Ibrox anymore.

Yes, Fulham probably shouldn't have gone through all the hassle and known the rules. But it doesn't matter -- FIFA CANT HAVE THINGS BOTH WAYS.

With (outrageous) instances like this and the Tevez saga...

...remind me again why I'm supposed to like this sport?