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A COLOSSUS
Touchline issue 22 | November 2015 | 21
has been arrested. Jack Warner, the former head of CONCACAF, is
so heavily involved in corruption that one Guardian writer wrote
that “when cut (he) bleeds brown envelopes”. It is alleged he has
encouraged cash for votes and used money intended for developing
the game through his personal bank accounts.
Then came the most recent scandal, one that connects the two most
powerful men in the world of football: FIFA chairman Joseph “Sepp”
Blatter and Michel Platini, head of the European Union of Football
Associations, or UEFA.
In 2011, Platini received 2 million Swiss Francs from Blatter. There
was no paper trail, no receipt or contract in place for this payment.
Blatter described the payment as a consequence of Platinis’s role as
an advisor between 1998 and 2002. It was, he claims, the result of a
gentleman’s agreement made almost ten years before the debt was paid.
The timing of the payment has caused concerns, as FIFA was
undergoing elections during this period. Platini did not challenge
Blatter as head of FIFA: moreover, he mandated the Europeans to
support the incumbent.
Another version of the story recently emerged. When Platini worked
for Blatter, he requested a higher annual salary, but Blatter could
not afford it. The agreement was based to the shortfall between
their valuations of Platini’s time, and he called in the money when
their relationship began to sour.
Whatever the case, both men are under investigation by FIFA’s ethics
review panel.
This particular case highlights not only the checkerboard of money
dodges that FIFA has been engaged with, but also the levels to which
the questions rise. Blatter’s place in all this murk is perhaps the
biggest mystery in the investigation.
Aside from the Platini payment, he is yet to be charged, despite
the fact that corruption is rampant throughout the organisation. Is
he like some mafia don who uses those around him to absorb the
splash-back? Has he insulated himself effectively? Or is he just an
affable old uncle, too fond of his mischievous children to see the
danger in them?
Until recently, Blatter was convinced that he was the solution, not
the problem. Miraculously, he was re-elected president of FIFA for
the 5th time in late May.
With stunning chutzpah, he gloated “For the next four years I will be
in command of this boat called FIFA and we will bring it back ashore,
we will bring it back to the beach.”
As though he had not been in charge for 17 years while his minions
misappropriated an estimated 150 million dollars.
Blatter has since announced his retirement, but he will only go in
2016, and then, only once a suitable heir has been decided upon.
One thing is for certain, however. This story still has a long way
to run and there will be plenty of new revelations along the way.
What is less certain is whether FIFA will be able to survive these
investigations and allegations and, if so, what form it will take after
the dust settles.
By Timothy Mottram