FIFA admits World Cup bribery allegations

GENEVA• FIFA acknowledged Wednesday that past World Cups were awarded based on bribes, and the organization wants U.S. prosecutors to give it “tens of millions of dollars” seized from the former FIFA officials who took the cash.

FIFA submitted a 22-page claim to the U.S. Attorney’ s Office in New York on Tuesday that seeks a big share in restitution from more than $190 million already forfeited by soccer and marketing officials who pleaded guilty in the sprawling corruption case.

Tens of millions of dollars more is likely to be collected by U.S. authorities when sentences are handed down, and from dozens of officials currently indicted but who have denied bribery charges or are fighting extradition.

FIFA claims it is the victim of corrupt individuals, despite widespread criticism that bribe-taking was embedded in its culture during the presidencies of Joao Havelange and Sepp Blatter, who was forced from office after 17 years by the current scandal.

“The convicted defendants abused the positions of trust they held at FIFA and other international football organizations and caused serious and lasting damage to FIFA,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Wednesday. “The moneys they pocketed belonged to global football and were meant for the development and promotion of the game. FIFA, as the world governing body of football, wants that money back and we are determined to get it no matter how long it takes.”

In documents seen by the AP, FIFA has asked for:

• $28.2 million for years of payments, including bonuses, flights and daily expenses, to officials it now says are corrupt

• $10 million for the “theft” of money that FIFA officials transferred as bribes to then-executive committee members to vote for South Africa as 2010 World Cup host.