And so on a Tuesday morning at the end of April, FIFA ethics committee finally released the ruling on FIFA’s involvement in the collapse of ISL, the marketing company that went bankrupt in 2001. It was done in such a way that reeks of the organisation sweeping any issues under the carpet.
Within a matter of minutes from the document being available, President Blatter’s statement was released and that, as they say, was that. The statement itself failed to acknowledge the fact that Blatter was in a position of power whilst this was going on, and instead seemed to be used as a way of personally vindicating himself.
Joao Havelange, the former President had resigned from his position as honorary President on 18th April, and of course Nicolas Leoz resigned last week citing ill-health, following in the footsteps of Havelange’s former son-in-law Ricardo Teixeira. The report stated all three had been found to have taken bribes for World Cup contracts.
The report’s publication has been delayed and was actually due to be released last week, when Leoz resigned. With all three no longer in positions of power in football, the report of course states that no further action is to be taken.
Blatter was quoted as having been “clumsy” with his handling of the situation, but as his statement makes clear there is nothing further to be discussed on the matter.
The question does remain though, of whether this is the end of the matter? For those in the corridors of power, they would certainly hope so, but can this be taken on further?
The report questions whether Blatter knew anything, but goes no further. At the time of the activities, they were not a crime under Swiss law.
But with FIFA’s revenues increasing annually through sponsorship and media rights deals, there is still the call out there from many journalists and academics that FIFA be brought into line and under the jurisdiction and accountability of an organisation.
With money such a big part, it would seem reasonable that FIFA accounts are properly scrutinised like any other money-making company. If this were the case, Blatter would have been forced to resign based on the findings of this report, as he was at the helm or a position of power when it happened.
What this affair has highlighted is how FIFA and those at the top of world football are in a bubble, totally separate and unaware of the real world as we know it. Not only that, but they seem to be able to continue to ride the waves of scandal that hit them and carry on as if nothing happened.
For years now FIFA seems to have been a rule unto its own, detached from the rest of football and the general western business practice, and it would appear to be continuing on that front. But there are still questions to be asked, and hope must remain that in the future they may very well be.
Find me on Twitter: @dmsmith1987
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