Politicizing and Criminalizing FIFA

by Eze Eluchie

That footballs international governing body, Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) has been a hotbed of corruption has never been in doubt – that is why I felt one of the worst moments for Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathans administration was capitulating to threats from FIFA over domestic football issues in Nigeria.

It is important to highlight that virtually every other major sporting franchise, inclusive of the Olympic Games, the Basketball, Baseball and Cricket franchises, are not devoid of scandals and allegations of improper financial dealings

What is however intriguing is the current United States interest in probing FIFA.

Hosting rights of all FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup in the USA, South Africa and Brazil, are won after intensive under the table ‘lobbying’, which often times includes exchange of ‘gifts’.

One really wonders if FIFA’s decision to accord Russia and Qatar hosting rights over the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup tournaments respectively, played any role in the ‘indictments’?

Is this whole affair an extension of the ongoing spat between the US and Russia?

Is politics overly been foisted on Sports?

Picture: FIFA logo