Fifa admits votes bought in World Cup hosting rights, asks US for return of cash
World soccer’s governing body says it is victim of corrupt individuals and is seeking to claim ‘tens of millions of dollars’ in bribe money seized by US prosecutors
While acknowledging for the first time that votes were bought in past World Cup hosting contests, Fifa is seeking to claim “tens of millions of dollars” in bribe money seized by US federal prosecutors.
Fifa submitted a 22-page claim to the US Attorney’s office in New York on Tuesday that seeks a big share in restitution from more than US$190 million already forfeited by soccer and marketing officials who pleaded guilty in the sprawling corruption case.
The convicted defendants abused the positions of trust they held at Fifa and other international football organisations and caused serious and lasting damage to Fifa
Tens of millions of dollars more is likely to be collected by US authorities when sentences are handed down, and from dozens of officials now indicted but who have denied bribery charges or are fighting extradition.
Fifa claims it is the victim of corrupt individuals, despite widespread criticism that bribe-taking was embedded in its culture in the presidencies of Joao Havelange and Sepp Blatter, who was forced from office after 17 years by the current scandal.
“The convicted defendants abused the positions of trust they held at Fifa and other international football organisations and caused serious and lasting damage to Fifa,” Fifa President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday.
