John Oliver Embraces FIFA Arrests: Could Make World Love America [Video]

John Oliver laid out what’s on the line for America in its recent FIFA arrests: the love of the entire world. The comedian, host of HBO’s Last Week Tonight, was giddy as he explained how much the investigation would mean, but Oliver made sure to hedge his bets by sucking up to FIFA’s sponsors as well

Rolling Stone reports that even though the U.S. arrested FIFA officials in a $150 million corruption scandal, President Sepp Blatter was still reelected. John Oliver updated his audience on the situation, explaining that now the investigation is the only hope of getting rid of Blatter.

Oliver went over some of the incredible bribery stories leaking from the organization, which organizes the World Cup, and pointed out some of Sepp Blatter’s terrible decisions. According to ABC News, his decision to hold the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has created a slum of impoverished workers, sweating in extreme heat and unsafe conditions.

John Oliver explained in his segment that, by one estimate 1,200 people working to build Qatar’s stadiums have died, and thousands more will perish leading up to the games in 2022.

Still, the important part of Oliver’s bit was America, and what it can do to turn FIFA around, which is surprising according to the host.

“I don’t know what I’m more surprised by — that FIFA officials were actually arrested, or that America was behind it. It took the country that cares the least about football to bring down the people who have been ruining it. That’s like finding out that Ke$ha arrested a group of bankers involved in commodities fraud.”

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, busting up global corruption on FIFA’s level is a great thing for America’s image, but there’s a more vengeful reason behind it – at least, according to Vladimir Putin.

The Russian president recently said that the U.S. arrests were “illegal” and aimed at advancing “selfish goals,” mainly to punish FIFA President Sepp Blatter. The President gave the 2018 World Cup to Russia, despite pleas from U.S. officials to reject the country’s application because of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

Whatever the reason, John Oliver believes the investigation is big opportunity for America.

“If America keeps driving this investigation and actually finds something to indict him [Sepp Blatter], I don’t think you understand how much that would mean to everyone on Earth. The whole world’s opinion of America would change overnight.”

To help understand the stakes, Oliver compared it to what Americans would think if the Dutch suddenly found a good reason to lock up Donald Trump.

“You would think, ‘Holy s**t, the Dutch are awesome!’ That is what’s on the table for you, America.”

Just in case the U.S. government fails, Oliver also made a plea to a force more powerful, American companies. He even pledged to drink a Bud Light Lime if Budweiser stopped sponsoring the World Cup.

John Oliver has spoken, the rest is up the America.

[Image Credit: Getty Images]