The Temple of Dagon

ZURICH - FIFA President Sepp Blatter has refused to comment on allegations linking Qatars winning World Cup bid to payments received by voters. Nike Free 3.0 v4 Homme . Blatter said at a news conference on Friday "I have not even the right" to discuss claims published this week by the Daily Telegraph. The British newspaper said it had evidence that a Qatari company controlled by former FIFA board member Mohamed bin Hammam paid almost $2 million to former FIFA vice-president Jack Warners family after the December 2010 vote. Blatter referred questions to a statement on behalf of its ethics investigation panel, which was "aware of the material identified in the published article." The claims were aired as Blatter and other FIFA executive committee members were being interviewed in Zurich as part of an investigation by ethics prosecutor Michael Garcia into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding contests, won by Russia and Qatar. Pressed further on the subject, Blatter insisted he will not comment "until they have finished their work." Garcia is expected to deliver a report this year to the judging panel of FIFAs ethics court. "As with any allegations of misconduct by football officials the ethics committee will take whatever action it feels is appropriate," the statement on behalf of Garcia said. Still, he has limited jurisdiction at best. Bin Hammam is already banned from football for life, and Warner resigned in June 2011 to avoid a previous FIFA investigation into a cash-for-votes scandal linked to the Qataris failed presidential bid. As future World Cup hosts continue to trouble FIFA, Blatter said he would make another visit to Qatar before the June kickoff in Brazil to press for progress in the gas-rich emirates treatment of migrant labourers. Blatters board colleague, Theo Zwanziger, said FIFA has asked Qatari authorities for "honest reports" on the situation. Labour unions and rights groups have campaigned to highlight unsafe conditions, unpaid salaries and contracts tying workers to their employer. Blatter dismissed suggestions that aggressive actions by 2018 World Cup host Russia toward neighbouring Ukraine in the breakaway Crimea region could affect the tournament. "The World Cup has been given and voted to Russia and we are going forward with our work," said Blatter, who counts Russias sports minister, Vitaly Mutko, among his board colleagues. FIFA and UEFA have also endorsed an agreement that Crimea region clubs Tavriya Simferopol and FC Sevastopol should complete the season in the Ukraine Premier League. Both clubs expressed interest in switching to the Russian league next season. Issues affecting FIFAs next three major tournament hosts have not damaged the governing bodys finances. Buoyed by record income of $1.386 billion last year, FIFA reported that its reserves grew to $1.432 billion after making a $72 million profit. FIFAs financial results typically peak in a World Cup year, which will be reported next March, and are set to grow with more valuable TV rights and sponsorship deals starting next year. "We will make more money for Russia and we will make more money for Qatar," secretary general Jerome Valcke said. "And if it is as it is, we will make more money for the World Cup 26." In other decisions: — There was no agreement on a proposal for age and term limits in FIFA office. An option for three four-year terms was considered. The issue will go to the FIFA Congress on June 11 in Sao Paulo. — The congress will be asked to extend mandates through 2015 for two co-opted woman board members: Moya Dodd of Australia and Sonia Bien-Aime of Turks and Caicos Islands. — Rabat and Marrakech were confirmed as host cities for the Club World Cup in Morocco in December, subject to Rabat stadium works being completed before September. Nike Roshe Run Femme Pas Cher . Yet, when he walks out on the field he has a huge smile on his face as he stops to say hello. Nike Roshe Run Homme Pas Cher . Booth, 28, has missed the last four games with a lower body injury and has appeared in 11 of 16 games for the Canucks this season, recording one goal and two assists. PITTSBURGH -- For a player who believed he was being targeted by the NFL after being fined five times last season, new Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Mike Mitchell has transformed his attitude and his style of play. "Ive adjusted to the new rules changes," Mitchell said Thursday, "and just looked forward to playing clean football and not getting fined this year." After four seasons with the Oakland Raiders and one with the Carolina Panthers, Mitchell is expected to earn a starting role in the Steelers secondary this season. Though Mitchell might have toned down his heavy-hitting ways, he still plans to make an immediate impact in due to his ball-hawking skills. The Steelers had just 10 interceptions last year, 29th in the NFL, while Mitchell had four picks in one season with Carolina. "I guess I made some big plays, but that was just me sticking my toe in the water," Mitchell said. "I expect to make even bigger and better plays this year, and I have a great guy to learn from in Troy Polamalu. . I dont know if Ill be jumping over the centre, but I do plan on taking the ball away." Thats been a major issue in recent years for the Steelers, who havent created more than 20 turnovers in a season since 2010 even as they have remained near the top of the league in yards allowed. Mitchell isnt wasting any time getting settled during the first organized team activities. "I had a great break on a ball today and should have picked it, but A.B. (Antonio Brown) did a good job getting his hands up there," Mitchell said. "I should have brought it down. . Shamarko (Thomas) is leading the way with one pick, but I should have had one, too." Thomas, a fourth-round pick last year, has not been able to get on the field often enough to make the kind of splash plays the team so desperately needs, but expects to have moree opportunities this season. Nike Air Max 90 Femme Pas Cher. "Sure, I want to do a lot more this year," Thomas said. "I have three veteran safeties to learn from in Troy, Mike and Will Allen. Mike, he brings a lot of athleticism to the group, and hes made some great reads on the ball." Mitchell has played for three teams in three seasons, but the six-year NFL veteran believes there are some good points to go with the bad ones. "Its bad, because Ive had to leave some good friends behind," said Mitchell, who turns 27 next month. "But its good, because Ive been able to have a lot of different experiences, playing for different coaches and different schemes. Thats why this transition . Coach (Dick) LeBeaus defence isnt easy, but Ive actually picked it up fairly well." Mitchell believes playing in so many different defensive systems may actually be to his advantage. "In Oakland, I felt like I played for three different teams in four years, because we were always changing head coaches," Mitchell said. "So, learning a new scheme is nothing thats too different for me. I think that Ive handled it well. (And) I made a couple plays this week, but theres many more to be made." NOTES: The Steelers signed CB Shaquille Richardson from Arizona, their fifth-round pick, and have five of nine draft choices under contract. ... The top four picks are still unsigned, though they should come into the fold soon. Pittsburgh will free up $8 million in cap space when the March release of linebacker LaMarr Woodley officially hits the books. ... The club signed two players Thursday and released two. They signed rookie free agent offensive lineman Emmanuel McCray and claimed cornerback Deion Belue off waivers from the Miami Dolphins. ... To make room on the roster, the Steelers released offensive linemen Nik Embernate and Kaycee Ike. cheap jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '