The corruption investigations into Fifa’s awarding of the World Cup to Russia, South Africa and Qatar will go some way to ushering in a new era of reforms for the governing body for soccer. Putting on hold the bidding process for the 2026 event was therefore not only prudent, but necessary. No matter how much wrongdoing is found, though, it is too late to take away the rights already given. Instead, the findings of the inquiries should be used to lay down new rules to make the future process as transparent and robust as possible.

American and Swiss investigations were revealed last month after years of allegations that bribery and corruption were involved in the awarding of the World Cup. Governance reforms undertaken by Fifa in 2011 were not seen as going far enough, prompting the involvement of outside law-enforcers. The arrests of 14 people, seven of them Fifa officials, and the resignation of president Sepp Blatter, who is now also under investigation, herald the beginning of what the outgoing leader has called a “profound restructuring”. Only this way can the world’s most popular sport be scandal-free.

Finding out whether kickbacks were involved in giving the prestigious competition to South Africa in 2010 will help, as will laying bare the wins for Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. There is no bigger sporting event and billions of dollars are spent by sponsors and on broadcasting rights, so those intent on illicit gains would naturally be drawn to the bidding process. The Qatari victory five years ago in particular raised questions, especially given its unfavourable climate for many foreign soccer players. But even if massive wrongdoing is found, it is impractical to give it to other countries.