Tag: FIFA

Friday, July 17th 2015 - 06:57 UTC
Comparing FIFA to the mafia “is almost insulting to the mafia”. US Senate grills soccer federation

Comparing FIFA to the mafia is “almost insulting to the mafia”, a US senator said, turning up the heat on football's corruption-tainted world governing body to reform. Richard Blumenthal made the remark at a Senate subcommittee hearing scrutinizing FIFA, after US authorities in May indicted 14 people - including top football officials over tens of millions of dollars of alleged bribes for media rights contracts.
Friday, July 3rd 2015 - 06:55 UTC
US asks Switzerland for extradition of seven FIFA officials on bribery charges

The United States asked Switzerland on Thursday to extradite seven FIFA officials arrested in an investigation into a global bribery scandal at soccer's governing body, the Swiss Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) announced.
Thursday, July 2nd 2015 - 05:45 UTC
FIFA chief Blatter convinced he's “clean” and one day will go to heaven

Sepp Blatter, president of the world soccer governing body FIFA that is embroiled in corruption investigations, has told a German magazine he has a 'clean and clear' conscience and believes he will “go to heaven one day”.
Tuesday, June 23rd 2015 - 05:29 UTC
Maradona announce he intends to run for FIFA's presidency

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has thrown his hat into the ring for the FIFA presidency, according to reports. Reuters quoted Uruguayan journalist and author Victor Hugo Morales saying that Maradona, 54, had revealed his plan on Sunday.
Thursday, June 18th 2015 - 05:01 UTC
Switzerland pulling the noose: evidence of 53 FIFA suspicious banking reports

Swiss authorities say they have evidence of 53 suspicious FIFA-linked banking relations reported by Swiss banks. Under the Anti-Money-Laundering Framework of Switzerland, banks are required to report any suspicious activity that happens within their accounts. Some of the 53 suspicious reports are among 104 banking relations already known by the investigators.
Thursday, June 18th 2015 - 04:51 UTC
ITUC challenges football associations and sponsors to push for independent FIFA reform commission

The International Trade Unions Congress, ITUC is calling on national football associations to push for genuine reform of FIFA through the establishment of an independent commission, and not merely accept that FIFA can suddenly reform itself under a leadership which has failed to end corruption after years of multi-million dollar scandals
Saturday, June 13th 2015 - 07:04 UTC
Interpol suspends $29m agreement with FIFA to fight illegal betting and match-fixing

Interpol has suspended its $29 million agreement to fight illegal betting and match-fixing amid the bribery allegations engulfing world football’s governing body. The 10-year deal was struck in May 2011 and under the agreement, Interpol was to have received 4 million Euros in each of the first two years, followed by 1.5 million Euros in each of the following eight.
Friday, June 12th 2015 - 05:42 UTC
FIFA communications director ousted; former Brazilian star wants Blatter's job

The director of communications & public affairs at FIFA has stepped down with immediate effect. FIFA announced on June 11, via release, that Walter de Gregorio would be stepping down and serving on a “consultancy basis” through the calendar year. De Gregorio joined FIFA in September 2011.
Wednesday, June 10th 2015 - 21:39 UTC
FIFA postpones 2026 World Cup bidding process, announces Valcke

FIFA has postponed the 2026 World Cup bidding process amid the growing corruption scandal engulfing world football’s governing body. Secretary general Jerome Valcke told a news conference in Samara, Russia that the bidding process had been suspended.
Wednesday, June 10th 2015 - 06:44 UTC
“Football is a game, but is also a massive business” and people want it to operate with integrity

President Barack Obama weighed in on the deepening corruption scandal involving world soccer's governing body, saying it was essential that the sport's integrity be ensured.