Fall of the House of FIFA:
A Timeline
FIFA, soccer’s governing body, has been rocked as allegations of corruption including bribery in connection with the bids awarded to Germany (2006), South Africa (2010), Russian (2018) and Qatar (2012), has led to a 92-count U.S. indictment and an ongoing Swiss criminal investigation that includes its embattled President Sepp Blatter.
Will it lead to a secession by other soccer nations to a new entity free from systemic corruption?
July 2012
FIFA’s ethics committee appoints Michael Garcia, the former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, to head an investigation into corruption allegations.
November 2014
FIFA’s ethics committee chairman Hans-Joachim Eckert publishes a summary of Garcia’s report. Russia’s and Qatar’s hosting bids are essentially confirmed after Eckert finds wrongdoings associated with bids do not justify reopening the bidding process. Garcia calls the summary “erroneous” and resigned. The full report still has not been released.
May 2015
The U.S. Department of Justice announces indictment and raid FIFA annual meeting.
- 14 Defendants
- 47 Counts
- 6 Guilty Pleas
Meanwhile the Swiss government announces its own investigation into the bidding for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Two days later, Sepp Blatter wins a 5th term as FIFA President.
June
Blatter announces he will resign following a special election to replace him in 2016.
Swiss authoritis announce they are investigating 53 possible cases of money laundering and 104 incidents of suspicious activity in Swiss bank accounts as part of their investigation into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
September
The Swiss government announces criminal investigation into Blatter.
October
Four of FIFA’s top sponsors — Visa, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Anheuser-Busch InBev called for Blatter’s immediate resignation, which he rejects.
Blatter and others suspended for 90 days by FIFA ethics committee. Blatter appeal of the suspension was later denied.
December
The Justice Department releases an updated indictment and makes more arrests. The expanded indictment includes:
- 32 Defendants
- 92 Counts
- 8 Guilty Pleas
Life After FIFA
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