Sports & Scandals

McLaren-Mercedes just got screwed. We finally see the end of that stolen information scandal. Not that I care much about them. It's just incredible that they pretty much have no more incentive into the season. It'll be hard to see how this will affect the morale at the McLaren camp as well as how the rest of the season will turn out.

What I can't stand is how Ferrari reacted through this. The statement in reaction through the end was “Ferrari is satisfied that the truth has now emerged.”

To me, it sounds a bit conceited. Of course you're satisfied. You were getting your red asses kicked and now the Constructors come to you on a silver platter.

One thing I gotta say. I don't think such a hoohah would be raised if it was some other team accused of industrial espionage.

Industrial espionage is pretty much industry standard no matter what field you are in. It happens in all sports.

One can argue that if everyone is cheating it'll still leave a fair playing field.

Some incidents end up being huge deals like the Tim Donaghy Gambling issue. Even if teams weren't buying off referees, there are still small things like fixing equipment.

In the NBA for instance, back in the 80's the Lakers used to over-pump their game balls because Magic Johnson preferred a higher bounce. Be it fixing the rim or balls, no one will call it in. Either because it was too hard to prove or that they were already doing it themselves.

Most teams (and companies) would only make a lot of noise when they directly lose out. Case in point Sheffield United. They went to court over the decision not to dock West Ham United's points during the Carlos Tevez saga.

In a nutshell, if West Ham won the court ruling, the Blades would be relegated and lose millions in TV money.

If the same story applies in F1, Ferrari had all to gain by getting McLaren committed. McLaren were the runaway champions-in-waiting and Ferrari was to have yet another season with no silverware. Now Ferrari is (pun intended) in the driver's seat as BMW is unlikely to catch up with a 57 point deficit and only 4 races left.

If it was a smaller team, I don't think Ferrari would make such noise about it. Although, in all fairness, McLaren did get sloppy and had it coming. They took an unnecessary risk and got caught.

However, be it F1, the NBA, FIFA, the NCAA or even Major League Baseball, sports in general will have a hard time cleaning up its act.