ANSWERS TO THE KEY QUESTIONS
Q: Why are US authorities investigating FIFA?
A: Because of ‘racketeering and corruption’ worth hundreds of millions of pounds dating back 20 years — but also as recently as 2014 — by a range of football officials, i ncluding senior FIFA figures, mainly based in the USA and the Caribbean. They used US banks to facilitate the corruption.
‘ The i ndictment al l eges corruption that is rampant, systemic, and deep- rooted, both abroad and here in the United States,’ said US Attorney General Loretta E Lynch. FBI director James Comey added: ‘If you touch our shores with your corrupt enterprise you will be held accountable.’
Q: How did they find the evidence?
A: Through all the usual investigative techniques associated with wire fraud, money laundering and corrupt payments, namely gathering of documents and intelligence, and accessing bank accounts.
They also had key suspects including former FIFA executive member Chuck Blazer, working for them wearing a wiretap, and did deals with two sons of corrupt former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner. The investigation has been going on for several years.
Q: What is the Swiss investigation about?
A: The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) are examining whether FIFA executive members in 2010 were bribed in the process to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar.
The OAG announced they had raided FIFA’s offices in Zurich to take electronic files and documents related to alleged corruption around the bid process for those events.
They said they had ‘opened criminal proceedings against persons unknown on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and of money laundering in connection with the allocation of the 2018 and 2022 Football World Cups.’
FIFA say it was they who asked the OAG to look at this, as a result of Michael Garcia’s still unpublished corruption report into the process.
Q: Will there be a new vote on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups?
A: FIFA initially said no. But then said ‘not at the moment’, a significant difference. Proven corruption would make it hard to leave the process in place with any credibility.
Q: How are Nike involved in the investigation?
A: They are referred to in the US documents as ‘Sportswear Company A’ and are implicated in relation to a 10-year $160million sponsorship deal with the Brazilian football federation from 1996. It is alleged kickbacks and bribes were paid in relation to that deal but it is not specified how Nike may have been involved.
Q: Will FIFA’s sponsors now desert the organisation?
A: Unlikely. Coca-Cola, adidas and VISA make millions from their association with FIFA.
Q: Will the FIFA election go ahead?
A: FIFA say yes, it will go ahead, but bookmakers report such money for a postponement, it’s in doubt.
Q: Can Blatter survive?
A: He is not under investigation for now. He is the great survivor of sports politics and unless evidence is unearthed of direct personal misconduct, he could survive again.
That makes him culpable, or totally ignorant of what happens in his organisation. Neither are good credentials, you might think. But this is FIFA.