How They Stole the Game

Let me start with the negatives: it is not made clear on the amazon site that this book written was written in 1999, then with a 2011 edition, containing just an Epilogue extra. The 2011 'Epilogue' has typos and punctuation errors - see on p 430 where the important name of Julio 'Grondona' is misspelled as 'Gordona' - an efficient and knowledgeable proofreader (I know of just such a one!) could have rectified this kind of mistake.That said, I found Yallop's book to be one of the most fascinating books I have ever read - it opened the eyes of this reader further than wide open. The detailing of Joao Havelange's, the ex-FIFA president's, dealings while in office (and out, as a supporter of Blatter) are astonishing and I have no reason to doubt the varacity of the book's findings - it is a very well-researched book. In fact, to quote a trite cliche, it was 'unputdownable'. The beautiful game has indeed been bought but the way Pele for example has tried to rise above the seedy, the sleaze and dubious deals shines through. Others should be ashamed of themselves.I had long thought a certain soccer match between Argentina and Peru was a rather 'remarkable' and 'convenient' result in the circumstances for the host country and I am now even more convinced. It is all so sad that the romance has gone out of the game and the 'prawn sandwich' brigade/suits have taken over (and not just football).I will be investing in Yallop's other books.

Great to see the truth exposed. Pity about the beautiful game.

The current FIFA president and his villainous predecessor are shown up for what they're worth. How did the football world put up Havelange for so long? And his successor is cut from the same cloth.

Good and would like to see the 2016 edition. Sometimes jumps around in time and people. Overall a sobering reminder of the need for action.

I bought this for my husband as a birthday present and he has just finished it and said it was a brilliant read.

Greed and corruption abound in the bent world of FIFA in this well researched piece - a good if depressing read.

Great read

Great book

These Days, everyone talks about Blatter and the mafia-like Organisation he created. But the mud goes back much earlier, Yallops Story tells.

Can you watch and wonder about Qatar after reading this book.Can you really care about the world cup.Additional read The Fix D.Hill