体坛英语新闻：FIFA crisis sparks heated debate in China

BEIJING, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The recent arrest of top FIFA officials has ignited a heated debate among Web users in China where a government-backed football reform plan was launched early this year.

While some argue corruption is a long-standing problem for the entire sports world, some blasted at U.S. attempt to extend jurisdiction.

"A sting operation by the US in Zurich! Is it S.H.I.E.L.D. in real?" said a post by "Please Call Me Sir Li".

A netizen named Yang Yinghan commented, sarcastically, "USA, the hope of all human beings!"

"It is nothing but a fight for power and interests. Justice? Forget about it," said On the way-JWF on Weibo, a Chinese equivalent to Twitter, adding a "thumb-down" expression in his post.

"This is a FIFA version of Game of Thrones!" echoed Taiheng.

Seven FIFA senior officials, including vice president Jeffery Webb, were arrested Wednesday in Zurich for alleged corruption and a further seven corporate executives were also charged by U.S. authorities with allegations of corruption including fraud, bribery and money laundering.

The arrests requested by the U.S. were made just two days before the FIFA congress, during which FIFA president Sepp Blatter will run for his fifth term against his only challenger Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan.

The online discussion came to a peak on Friday following the Uruguayan Professional Footballers' Mutual Association's claim on Thursday that Lius Suarez is "the victim of this ALLEGED corruption" on its Twitter account.

The Barcelona striker is serving a nine-match international ban for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the Uruguay's players' union requested "the end of his suspension on grounds that he was suspended by an organization suspected of corruption."

Spanish Fans Union disagreed on twitter: "If some police chief is found corrupted, should all the prisoners be released?"

Weibo user "Why Must I Have a Netname" suggested a half-measure: "The suspension should be ended and if he bites someone again he should get a life ban."

"Classic Guitar Blue" used the same logic in his post: "I request the inclusion of China in the 2018 World Cup finals. The team was ousted under a qualifying system designed by an organization suspected of corruption."