FIFA Corruption

The Scandal Continues

Jake Jasko
News Editor

FIFA has submitted a 22-page document claim to the New York U.S Attorney’s office, searching for a large part of the over 190 million dollars that could potentially be confiscated by U.S investigators once the case comes to a close.

Embroiled in a massively scandalous and seemingly endless corruption case, the FIFA organization, now headed by Gianni Infantino, is demanding restitution on the basis that the actions of corrupt individuals, such as Sepp Blatter, have damaged and harmed FIFA. While this claim may seem ludicrous, FIFA President Infantino said “The convicted defendants abused the positions of trust they held at FIFA and other international football organisations and caused serious and lasting damage to FIFA” (ESPN).

The corruption investigation, which has been going on for the better part of five years now, has already resulted in a few convictions and even more confessions, with multiple FIFA higher-ups admitting to things like bribery, fraud and the misuse of organization funds for their own personal gain. What has recently come to light, though, is countries buying votes so that they may host the World Cup.

It was, in fact, Qatar’s successful bid to host the World Cup in 2022 that lead to internal and external investigations into FIFA’s finances, and what ultimately resulted in the institution’s exposure as corrupt.