Oh FIFA, never change.

The past 10 months have provided one outstanding drama after another as officials for the governing body of world football, and those associated with the organization, have been indicted, arrested and in some cases pled guilty to a host of corruption charges in relation to soccer tournaments hosted by CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. As the investigation has wore on, investigators for the US Department of Justice have turned their eyes on the World Cups for 2018 and 2022. So far the US has collected nearly $200 million (USD) in fines and penalties from defendants who have pled guilty in exchange for reduced sentences, with plenty more on the horizon.

In the strangest twist yet, FIFA is asking for a share of that money.

According to the New York Times, the filing "argued FIFA had lost at least $28 million paid to 20 soccer officials over 12 years, but also stated that certain costs could not yet be fully assessed." Basically, FIFA is saying that the bonuses and expenses paid out to the soccer officials should be paid back to them, as well as other amounts related to lawyer fees. The real kicker comes in them seeking $10 million, which is the exact amount paid by FIFA on behalf of the South African Federation in a bribe to Jack Warner to get his support for them to host the 2010 World Cup.

The Associated Press has seen the documents and says that FIFA claims the bribe was a "theft of FIFA funds" which is rather funny since it was FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke who paid out those funds. In that instance, South Africa didn't have enough money to meet Warner's demands, so Valcke paid then CONCACAF President Jack Warner on their behalf, which lead in part to his dismissal last fall.

Dangerous Move

What's dangerous about this situation for FIFA is they have admitted that at least one World Cup was bought, while the 2006 World Cup in Germany is strongly thought to have been bought by cash and weapons. The rumors surrounding the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, in Russia and Qatar respectively, hinge on bribery. This despite the Michael Garcia report released by FIFA claiming that both were clean and the fiasco that ensued. While it may be too late to do anything about Russia (besides, who wants to be the one to deliver the news to Putin?) there is time a plenty, and infinitely more reasons, to strip Qatar of the World Cup. Not only did they bribe their way to the tournament, but they are building entire cities with slave labor that is dying at an alarming pace. With the death toll thought to be, conservatively, around 1,200 towards the end of 2014, that number could have doubled since then with over six years yet until that tournament is slated to kick off during the winter of 2022.

The Swiss government has been investigating these two tournaments ever since American agencies started arresting FIFA officials last May. They've even gone so far as to raid FIFA's headquarters in Zurich on more than one occasion, taking away truck loads of computers and documents. While they have yet to indict anyone (they've arrested plenty of people on behalf of the FBI), the investigation is said to be ongoing and exhaustive. Admitting to guilt could blow up in their faces if judges either in New York or Switzerland rule that they were complicit in the bribery. Not only could they not receive any of the money they are seeking but could leave themselves open to lawsuits from aggrieved parties.

Newly elected FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated in his speech to congress that he wanted to give FIFA's money back to the member federations. Part of his promise was to increase the grants and funding given to the 209 associations so they could build needed infrastructure and field teams. By painting FIFA as the victim, a tactic used by the DOJ in their investigations, it gives them a chance to recoup money taken. However they will have to get in line as both CONCACAF and CONMEBOL are looking to get some of the money as well. It's unclear just how much of a claim FIFA has on the money since these crimes had to do with regional and not FIFA tournaments.

Whether fans and sponsors will buy FIFA's new-found innocence is an open debate. Likely it'll be a pill too difficult to swallow at this point.

Gestures of Real Change

If Infantino wants to prove that his organization has turned over a new leaf, there are things they can do that would help their brand image as well as member associations. The absolute first thing they can do is to release the full, un-edited Garcia Report. The abridged version was a mockery of all the hard work that Garcia

Jack Warner in 2011 at FIFA Congress. LUIS ACOSTA / AFP - Getty Images
Jack Warner in 2011 at FIFA Congress. LUIS ACOSTA / AFP - Getty Images

and his staff put in and the author has made no secret about how he felt the conclusions were incomplete. There have been assurances that the complete report has been given to Swiss and American authorities, but it'd be a great gesture of transparency for fans and critics to read the report for themselves and reach sound conclusions. As of now the shroud of secrecy does little to engender trust from the public. Even if the report is ultimately inconclusive, as has been rumored, it'd be a wonderful way to appease critics.

With FIFA going after funds seized by the US government, it'd be wonderful if they continued along that path and took back the Center of Excellence in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

For those who don't know, the Center of Excellence is a $22 million facility built using FIFA and CONCACAF funds. It has the Caribbean's best training facility, stadium, fields, rec rooms, etc, all on par with what one might find in the US or elsewhere. It was meant to be the crown jewel of the region that would keep T&T as one of the best teams in CONCACAF. Instead the entire facility was "gifted" to Jack Warner by former FIFA President Joao Havelange, who stepped down in 1998.

The current directors for the facilities are Jack and Maureen Warner (his wife) and they rent the place out for weddings, political rallies, concerts and so forth. What they don't do is open their doors for any of T&T's teams to use as they look to rebound from a dreadful period in soccer history post-2006 World Cup. The entire process for how Warner and his wife acquired the facility can be read by Bill Archer here. It's a disgraceful theft from the people and players of the region, totaling over $16 million. With Warner fighting tooth and nail to stay out of a US prison, now would be the perfect time to take back this facility. While several of the corrupt officials who helped Warner pull this off are still around, new leadership is in charge that would look very favorably on this. Having 35 votes is never a bad thing, what with World Cup voting around the corner and re-election four years off.

To sum up what Warner did with the Center, quoted from Bill:

- FIFA foots the bill for a $16 million complex, built on land which Jack Warner owns.

- Said complex is registered and titled to Jack Warner and two other companies of which he is the sole owner.

- Warner then proceeds to use the property as collateral for loans totaling twice what the place is worth.

- Warner tells the media: "I don’t own it."

Being able to stick it to someone who has done so much damage to FIFA and its brand would be an added bonus. Would any of this protect FIFA from troubles down the line in relation to the current World Cups? Not directly but getting in front of the issue and showing real change, real commitment to cleaning up their image and doing right by their associations will keep them in people's good graces and give them leverage to work through any grievances someone may come to them with.

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Kyle Nowotny
Long-time Houston sports fan, season-ticket holder for the Houston Dynamo and sports writer since August 2014. BA in Creative Writing from the University of Houston.