Report slams FIFA's "unconvincing" handling of corruption issues

By Andrew Warshaw

March 30 – A hard-hitting dossier into the way FIFA has dealt with a mountain of corruption over the past two years has accused Sepp Blatter’s organisation of a “systematic” lack of transparency and “clearly unconvincing” sanctions.

The eagerly awaited 15-page report, drawn up by an independent body chaired by Swiss professor Mark Pieth, says the investigations into the conduct of some of its most influential officials by world football’s governing body did not go nearly far enough “to meet the challenges of a major global sports body.”

Pieth’s report, approved by FIFA’s Executive Committee on March 30 as part of a major reform programme, immediately prompted confirmation of a revamped ethics committee, one part to deal with corruption allegations and the other to pass judgement.

Blatter (pictured) appointed Pieth and his 13-member Independent Governance Committee (IGC) following a series of scandals that has rocked FIFA and stripped it of a number of key decision-makers – whether as a result of alleged vote-rigging over the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process or to do with the presidential election.

He was fully prepared for Pieth’s assessment of FIFA’s conduct to pull no punches – and he was right.

The way FIFA did business, the report said, “has led to unsatisfactory reactions to persistent allegations.

“In particular, the IGC has identified a lack of proactive and systematic investigation of allegations.

“In some instances, allegations were insufficiently investigated, and where sanctions were imposed they are at times insufficient and clearly unconvincing.”

Publication of the report was deliberately timed to coincide with a news conference at which Blatter confirmed the new two-chamber ethics committee to replace the current body that has heard a string of corruption cases – but which has been criticised for being too much a part of FIFA’s inner sanctum.

Crucially, Pieth also called for future senior FIFA positions to be vetted by an independent ‘nominations’ body to ensure candidates are clean and “fulfil the necessary… ethical requirements.”

How this will be carried out in practice is questionable given that the responsibility for appointing key FIFA members is down to each of the six confederations.

Interestingly, Blatter made no reference to this in his press conference and the cynics will not be happy with the some of the many areas omitted from future anti-corruption measures.

To the relief of Russia and Qatar, for instance, FIFA’s executive committee stopped short of re-examining the process by which the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were awarded.

It also emerged that Blatter would not be able to reopen the infamous ISL files citing several of his fellow powerbrokers, past and present, for allegedly taking kickbacks in the 1990s from FIFA’s former marketing partner.

The Swiss courts have blocked publication because of legal objections by at least two of those involved and Blatter, who has frequently indicated he wants the files made public as part the reform programme, admitted he was not prepared to take the risk of ‘publish and be damned’.

“We cannot simply brush aside the laws of this country,” he said.

“Our hands are tied.

“We cannot, out of our own incentive, simply do something.

“That would not only be a breach of contract it would also be a breach of confidence – that would be a criminal offence.”

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734836797labto1734836797ofdlr1734836797owedi1734836797sni@w1734836797ahsra1734836797w.wer1734836797dna1734836797