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Red Cards On All Sides: Evidence That Might Have Some FIFA Officials and Associates Sidelined For Good

The FBI arrested nine FIFA officials and associates and indicted fourteen total for charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. The FBI alleges that these individuals illegally profited from media rights contracts, the World Cup host selection process, and FIFA presidential elections. As many of the transactions passed through US financial institutions, the US has jurisdiction over the case. While corruption at FIFA has long been suspected, its president Sepp Blatter was re-elected after the arrests and claims ignorance of wrongdoings, though the investigation may implicate him as well.

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37 views1 page

Red Cards On All Sides: Evidence That Might Have Some FIFA Officials and Associates Sidelined For Good

The FBI arrested nine FIFA officials and associates and indicted fourteen total for charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. The FBI alleges that these individuals illegally profited from media rights contracts, the World Cup host selection process, and FIFA presidential elections. As many of the transactions passed through US financial institutions, the US has jurisdiction over the case. While corruption at FIFA has long been suspected, its president Sepp Blatter was re-elected after the arrests and claims ignorance of wrongdoings, though the investigation may implicate him as well.

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Red Cards on All Sides: Evidence That Might Have Some FIFA Officials and Associates Sidelined for

Good
June 2, 2015

On Thursday, May 27, 2015, the FBI arrested nine and announced the indictment of a total of fourteen officials and
associates of the six continental confederations engaged in business with The Federation Internationale de Football
Association, more commonly known as FIFA. The FBI alleges that these individuals, along with twenty-five unnamed
co-conspirators, knowingly and intentionally participated in illegal activities to prosper themselves at the expense of
FIFA and the confederations that they had a fiduciary duty to serve.
The 164-page indictment contains information regarding a total of 47 separate counts against the FIFA officials and
associates:

Wire Fraud (13)


Wire Fraud Conspiracy (10)
Money Laundering Conspiracy (9)
Money Laundering (7)
Aiding and Assisting in the Preparation of False and Fraudulent Tax Returns (5)
Other (3)

The FBI alleges that media and advertising rights contracts for various confederations, the voting process by which
South Africa was selected as the 2010 World Cup host nation, and the 2011 FIFA presidential election, among other
charges, were all influenced by bribes and kickbacks received by FIFA officials. United States laws govern interstate and
foreign commerce as well as the transfer of funds through US institutions. The United States holds jurisdiction in these
matters as US financial institutions were used to facilitate the transfer of information and funds between parties.
Sadly, news of the corruption did not come as much of a surprise to many ftbol fans, as FIFA was already perceived by
many as an organization with corrupt officials that were seeking personal gain over social good. Citizens of Brazil
protested at the 2014 World Cup over the disparity of the financial burden borne by the nation compared to the financial
benefit gained by FIFA and its affiliates.
Despite these harsh accusations and FIFAs deteriorating reputation, FIFAs president, Sepp Blatter, was re-elected just
two days after the arrests. He has claimed ignorance and stated that he cannot monitor everyone all of the time. The
FBI has not charged Blatter with any crime as of yet, but further investigation and evidence gathered may direct
authorities his way.
The full indictment can be read here.
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2015 ARKAY Group

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