FIFA scandal and the corruption currents: Blatter has the last laugh

The dramatic detention of 14 high ranking FIFA office bearers, none of them US citizens, in Zurich on charges of corruption in the 2010 World Cup bid, just two days before the FIFA Presidential elections on May 29 has come as a great shock.

However, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has not been named or indicted.

Once FIFA was a world of its own and operated on very basic accounting and financial principles, an oddity to the complex world of today. No one expected the indictments as earlier, corruption charges were handled in the FIFA way of the concerned person resigning.

Jack Warner resigned from FIFA and Concacaf (Central, North American and Caribbean Football) in 2011. FIFA had held itself aloof from the charges maintaining that the problem was individual and the organisation was not corrupt.

The US’ meticulously obtaining and collating information of corruption in FIFA and the football world is also to be lauded. Interestingly, the US Justice Department has released information that even United States was guilty of bribery.

As per FIFA’s rules, the last two World Cup host confederations (or continents) are ineligible for bidding. Therefore non-European bids were not allowed for the 2018 Cup. USA withdrew its 2018 bid deciding to concentrate on its bid for the 2022 World Cup where European bids were not allowed.

The 2018 World Cup to be staged in Europe was won by Russia.

FIFA’s rules stipulated that the 2022 World Cup has to be hosted by a non-European confederation. The bidders were Australia, Japan, South Korea, USA and Qatar. Qatar was successful and will be hosting the World Cup in 2022.

Losing both opportunities seemed to have rankled USA. In 2010 itself, several charges of corruption and bribery for votes were made. Jack Warner, Vice President of FIFA and President of Concacaf, stated he would try to bring the World Cup back to the American region (Concacaf) but added that he would prefer if USSF (United States Soccer Federation) bid for the 2022 World Cup instead.

Warner has been accused of accepting a $ 10 million from the South African government for the 2010 World Cup. He has also been accused of trying to buy votes for the 2011 FIFA Presidential elections for a member of Asian Football Federation.

Charges of corruption in the case of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids will be looked into separately by the Swiss authorities.

It is rather surprising that Swiss authorities are willing to jeopardise their financial confidentiality reputation. Over the past few years, Switzerland has been opening up and co-operating with other countries in cases of financial fraud and corruption. It wants to do away with the dubious distinction of being the money laundering capital of the world.

Any organisation, however small or big, is susceptible to corruption and FIFA is no exception.

Andrew Jennings, Scottish investigator and author, had exposed corruption in FIFA in 2006 in his book- ‘Foul!: the Secret World of FIFA; Bribes, Vote Rigging and Ticket Scandals’ followed by his latest e-book ‘Omerta: Sepp Blatter’s FIFA Organized Crime Family’-released in April.

Jennings drew attention to non-action by Blatter against corrupt board members. He condemned Blatter’s policy of granting FIFA
development grants to African and Asian football confederation and secret distribution of tickets as a means of garnering personal loyalty, stating it is as typical organised crime. Comparison is made to Italian Mafia operation system which is similar.

The reporter-cum-author traces corruption back to as early as when Joao Havelange was President during 1974 to 1998. Havelange is said to have raked in $ 100 million in marketing and TV contract kickbacks. Jennings claims to have revealed this scandal in 2010 in a BBC interview.

Blatter right from the beginning decided not to rock the power boat and chose to keep quiet, which Jennings claimed is the first scandal.

Secondly, he accused FIFA’s leadership as a group of gangsters and members of a crime syndicate.

What is perplexing was the high level baying for the blood of President Blatter from all European and American football federations. Media, too, went berserk projecting the demand for his resignation.

Blatter during his long innings from 1998 onwards has contributed considerably to the development and growth of football all over the world. European domination is being challenged and that is one reason ‘football mad’ Europe has been forced to politicise the situation with even the British Prime Minister asking for Blatter’s resignation.

However Blatter enjoys considerable support from the African, Asian football federations. He has brought about a huge growth in football and FIFA benefited from millions of dollars through marketing and media. These funds were spent on developing football facilities in Africa and Asia where football has grown to unexpected levels.

Amaju Pinnick, President of the Nigerian Football Federation, told BBC, “What Blatter pushes is equity, fairness and equality among the nations.” He also said they would support Blatter as “We don’t want to experiment.”

With 54 votes from the African Federation and 46 from the Asian Federation totalling to 100 votes out of 209 votes, Blatter had strong support. He received 133 votes on the first ballot before Prince Ali withdrew from the race.

Reeling under the corruption scandal and also seeing opponent Prince Ali bin al-Hussein’s clean image and youth as a challenge, Blatter stated he would work with everyone to root out corruption from FIFA. The astute President has even called on help from his opponent.

Another controversy which Blatter will have to deal with is the considerable flak Qatar is under human rights on the exploitation and gruelling work conditions imposed on mainly Indian and Pakistani workers building the stadium and other facilities for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The 14 indicted FIFA officials have already filed against their extradition to the US where they can face up to 20 years of imprisonment or even life imprisonment under racketeering charges.

Blatter should take strong action, and clean his stables. Otherwise FIFA may fragment into smaller bodies with Europe already threatening to boycott the World Cup. The glory of Football should not be lost.

(Image: Reuters)