Ex-Investigator: FIFA Can No Longer Protect Itself FIFA Discloses Ireland
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
SPORTS SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015 Ex-investigator: FIFA can no longer protect itself MELBOURNE: The US-led investigations into cor- “Somewhere above that there is a veneer of not because of his work there or the unfolding was persuaded there was much to be done from ruption at FIFA have pierced the veil of secrecy people who make decisions who have the ability scandal. However, he said he nearly quit only this report and that investigations would be open,” that protected soccer’s top power-brokers and to intercept or be involved in some way in the vast months after starting work in earnest last October, said Davidson, who credited Cornel Borbely, chair- more dominoes can be expected to fall, said a for- money that goes around.” following the departure of FIFA’s independent man of the ethics committee’s investigatory cham- mer investigator on the governing body’s ethics “Those people had been protected by that lay- investigator Michael Garcia. ber, for talking him round. committee. er of, if you like, working together. Now that layer, The former US attorney submitted a report of Nicholas Davidson, a prominent lawyer and that veneer, has been pierced. And so they will his 18-month investigation into the controversial FRUSTRATION honorary president of New Zealand’s football asso- talk. People talk. As Prince William said, this is the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Davidson declined to comment on the scope of ciation, resigned from his role on FIFA’s investiga- ‘Salt Lake City moment’. And I think we’ve just Cups, which are now the subject of a probe by his work, only to say it was separate from the alle- tory chamber before Swiss police arrested seven scratched it.” Swiss authorities. A summary of that report gations swirling around the officials and media senior officials in Zurich last week. English FA president Prince William last week released by FIFA ethics judge Hans-Joachim Eckert executives indicted last week. While defending the work of the ethics com- compared the FIFA scandal to the Salt Lake City in November found some impropriety by bid Though he ultimately decided to stay on until mittee and its “fearless” personnel, Davidson said Olympics corruption crisis that ultimately sparked teams, but not enough to re-open the bidding recently, Davidson expressed his frustration that, the governing body’s lack of transparency had set deep reform of the International Olympic process for the showpiece events due to be held in as a member of the investigatory chamber, he was it up to fail. Committee and the bidding process for Games. Russia and Qatar respectively. denied access to both Garcia’s report and the “It strikes me from my observations of the peo- Garcia, who complained the summary misrep- American’s appeal brief against Eckert’s summary. ple who work in the business, and I’m talking GARCIA REPORT resented his report, resigned in December after his He said the report, still under wraps despite about ordinary employees, (they are) hugely skilful, Davidson, who feels world soccer is going appeal against Eckert’s statement was rejected by promises that it will be published, should be talented people, and dedicated,” Davidson said in through a similar “sea-change”, stressed he left a FIFA committee. released so long as it would not prejudice any a phone interview from Christchurch yesterday. FIFA due to a change in his professional life and “At that stage I was going to step down, but I ongoing investigations or prosecutions.—Reuters Could Russia and Qatar lose their World Cups? FIFA discloses Ireland received NEW YORK: If there is enough evidence of wrongdoing, $5 million over Henry’s handball FIFA has the power to strip the World Cup from both Russia and Qatar. Soccer’s governing body, currently engulfed in the worst NEW YORK: In the midst of an escalating corruption scandal in its 111-year history, has a provision financial scandal, FIFA admitted Thursday which allows it to revoke hosting rights for “unforeseen to giving Ireland $5 million in compensa- contingencies and force majeure.” tion for missing a place at the 2010 World “If there is still evidence that a substantial amount (of Cup after Thierry Henry’s handball set up votes) have been bought by illegal means, then of course it France’s winning goal. could be changed,” Swiss law professor and anti-corruption FIFA disclosed the payment after the expert Mark Pieth told The Associated Press. “I would not money was mentioned in a radio inter- totally rule it out, and of course there are many other ques- view by Football Association of Ireland tions linked to it.” So far, the Russians and Qataris don’t chief executive John Delaney. Neither seem to be worried. FIFA nor the FAI had previously disclosed FIFA has been plunged into crisis since seven officials the agreement to stave off legal action were arrested in dawn raids last week at a luxury Zurich following the contentious 2009 playoff hotel ahead of the FIFA congress. They were among 14 game. indicted by US authorities on corruption charges. In a sepa- The revelation was made two days rate probe, Swiss authorities are investigating the 2018 and after FIFA President Sepp Blatter 2022 World Cup bidding contests, which went to Russia and announced under pressure that he will Qatar. In the wake of the two investigations, FIFA President resign, likely by March. Blatter, who has Sepp Blatter announced his decision to resign. That came headed FIFA since 1998, was re-elected only four days after he was re-elected for a fifth, four-term. to a fifth term last Friday despite criminal US authorities are also looking specifically at the 79-year- investigations into FIFA that included U.S. old Blatter, but he has not been formally charged. Russia criminal charges against executive com- was awarded the 2018 World Cup and Qatar was given the mittee members and arrests at the FIFA 2022 tournament in an executive committee vote in Zurich Congress in Zurich. in December 2010. Accusations of vote-buying followed The loan highlights the lack of trans- PARIS: France’s Thierry Henry (left) passes the ball as Ireland’s goalkeeper quickly, and FIFA appointed American lawyer Michael parency that plunged FIFA into the Shay Given (right) tries to stop it, just before William Gallas (unseen) scored Garcia as the lead investigator into possible wrongdoing. biggest scandal of its 111-year history. the goal for France during their World Cup qualifying playoff second leg soccer Garcia submitted his report late last year, but soon resigned Northern Ireland’s Jim Boyce, who retired match. FIFA has admitted to giving Ireland $5 million in compensation for after a disagreement over what was in the file. Garcia’s full as a FIFA vice president last week, called missing out on a place at the 2010 World Cup after Thierry Henry’s handball report has never been released, but FIFA turned over the for an investigation into the Irish loan. that set up the French winner. —AP document to the Swiss authorities who are still investigat- In November 2009, Ireland was furious ing possible corruption. that Henry’s handball in extra time national stadium and opened in 2010. ciation’s error-prone record, earlier said Several members on that 24-man executive committee enabled William Gallas to score and give “The terms agreed between FIFA and the the FAI could not discuss details of the have been largely discredited since the vote, including a life France a 2-1 aggregate win and a place in FAI were that the loan would be reim- FIFA payment as part of a confidentiality ban for Qatari official Mohammed Bin Hammam and some the 32-nation field on South Africa. bursed if Ireland qualified for the 2014 clause. Speaking hours before FIFA’s resignations and shorter bans for others. Swedish referee Martin Hansson was criti- FIFA World Cup,” the FIFA statement said. statement, Delaney said he angrily con- Besides the Swiss investigation, Australia has added to cized heavily for not making a handball “Ireland did not so qualify. Because of fronted Blatter face to face in November the pressure with its own police investigation. Australia was call. FIFA rejected requests by the FAI this, and in view of the FAI’s financial situ- 2009 at a meeting in Switzerland days one of the losing bidders in the 2022 contest. that the game be replayed and Ireland be ation, FIFA decided to write off the loan after the second leg of the playoff. FIFA has made late changes to big tournaments before, added to the field as an extra team. The as per 31 December 2014.” Delaney said Ireland was threatening though not on the same scale. Colombia withdrew as the compensation deal risks setting a prece- The FAI responded to the FIFA state- to sue FIFA unless it received compen- host of the 1986 World Cup four years before kickoff dent that other disgruntled teams could ment by calling the payment a “legal set- sation, either through an exceptional because of economic problems and Mexico stepped in. The try to apply if in-game decisions go tlement agreement” rather than a loan entry for its team into the 2010 compe- 2003 Women’s World Cup was switched from China to the against them. and saying it was 5 million euros not 5 tition or financial compensation. He United States with only six months’ notice because of the “While the referee’s decision is final, million dollars, as FIFA said. said that while Blatter mocked the Irish outbreak of the SARS virus.