The United States Department of Justice has decided to press racketeering, bribery, wire fraud, and money laundering charges on a number of FIFA officials for, as US Attorney General Loretta Lynch says, over two decades. Lynch specifically singled out officials from FIFA, CONCACAF (the governing body of North American, Central American, and Caribbean soccer, including the United States), and CONMEBOL (the governing body of South America) in this sting, and said that over $150 million a piece had been made by some of these corrupt individuals through their illegal activities. One even requested a knighthood in exchange for his vote. It is a case that could shake the very foundations of FIFA and international soccer to its core. The question, however, is this- Will it have enough of an impact to make any real difference?
While Eliot Ness went after the head of crime, the USDOJ has gone after some in high ranking positions, but not the main guy. This is probably because the DOJ's jurisdiction is limited. It may also be because FIFA head Sepp Blatter, widely rumored to be the most corrupt official in an extremely corrupt organization, cannot be directly tied to anything. He even went as far as to say that today he welcomed the investigation and says misconduct has no place in his sport. If Blatter cannot be linked to the widespread fraud involved in FIFA, then surely it happening on his watch would be enough to make sure he isn't re-elected in a vote currently scheduled for next week, right? Even that may not be the case. Chicago Tribune columnist Phillip Hersh believes that the only way to make any kind of real change and take out Blatter is to have major international sponsors pull their support and their money. Hersh's view is probably the correct one, and since a major sports outfitter is currently tied in with these charges, having used bribery to gain exclusive rights to dress the Brazilian national team (hi, Nike), that money could dry up quick.
If the money goes away, and if Blatter is ousted, the first question I would have is about the 2022 World Cup. FIFA insists that it will go on as planned in Qatar, despite allegations of bribery and corruption by officials to bring the tournament to such a ludicrously inhospitable environment for the sport. Furthermore, why give the massive international event to a country whose team has never qualified for the tournament in the first place? Even these nonsensical actions cannot be considered the worst part. My main concern is how Blatter and FIFA continues to support a country that is relying on slave labor and heinous working conditions in order to construct its stadiums. Numerous workers have already died, and one report suggests that the death toll could reach over 4,000 by 2022.
FIFA is actively supporting a country that condones slavery. They are actively supporting a country that endorses antisemitism, racism, and homophobia on a massive level, all while launching a campaign that calls for the end of discrimination within the sport. It is a hypocritical position, and only makes sense when you hear these chargers of corruption and bribery. The Qatar World Cup goes against everything that FIFA says they represent, but goes along with everything this DOJ case shows they truly are. I hope that this case will change things. I hope that the beautiful game won't be veiled by ugly corruption for another decade. I hope that this case is just the first in many dominos that will clean up FIFA top to bottom.
Fraud charges brought down Al Capone. Is it enough to bring down Blatter?
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