When Corruption isn't Corruption: A FIFA Story

FIFA, FIFA, FIFA. Tut, tut, tut.

Even if you're not the slightest bit interested in football, you'd have to be living under the world's biggest rock these past few weeks not to have heard the humungous scandal surrounding its governing body. But just in case you were, allow me to give you a little round-up:



THE FACTS:

A couple of weeks ago, the FBI, in partnership with authorities in Switzerland, charged some of FIFA's most senior officials with bribery, money laundering and corruption among other things. The investigation relates to how FIFA deals with the money it has been given, and focuses particularly on how FIFA awards different nations the right to host the World Cup.

Fast forward a couple of weeks later, and the story just won't die down, with Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA since 1998, announcing his resignation at the end of this year after 17 years in charge. This follows the revelation by former FIFA Executive Jack Warner (one of the men being investigated by the FBI) that he has an "avalanche" of secrets to reveal about FIFA and its practices.



THE FALLOUT:

Now let's be honest. It hasn't come as a total shock that FIFA have been up to no good. For years now there have been rumours of corruption and the mis-handling of money within the organisation, and the lack of transparency and accountability in regards to how much money FIFA receives and exactly how they spend it, has been the subject of much criticism that has dogged Blatter's reign as President.


My issue about this whole story isn't the fact that FIFA are a highly corrupt and poisonous organisation. No no no. My issue is with who the media seem to be blaming this corruption scandal on, pointing the finger at some people whilst simultaneously covering others in undeserved innocence.

Case in point: I was watching Sky News one night when they had 2 guest journalists reviewing the story on FIFA and its corruption struggles. In response to tabloid allegations that South Africa and Qatar had bribed FIFA officials for the rights to host the World Cup in 2010 and 2022 respectively, the journalist highlighted the fact that Sepp Blatter, despite all the problems under his tenure,  had continuously been voted for re-election by the "Africans and the Asians". She proceeded to say that the right to host the 2022 World Cup should be stripped from Qatar and given to England,  before concluding that the alleged bribery acts committed by South Africa and Qatar highlights the difference between "the corrupt and the non-corrupt world".


I'm sorry, come again? The corrupt and the non-corrupt world? What does that even mean? Is that even a thing?

It was at this point I threw my hands up in the air and started shouting at the TV. Assuming that she believes England is one of those countries forming part of this "non-corrupt" world, I just have a few things to say about that statement...

One. To suggest that the world can be so easily and arbitrarily divided into "corrupt and non-corrupt" is utterly ridiculous. Every nation on this planet engages in corruption in some way shape or form. The only difference between corruption here and corruption committed elsewhere is the way we do it.

'Bribery', which is a common form of corruption, is defined by a quick Google search as to "dishonestly persuade (someone) to act in one's favour by a gift of money or other inducement".

Notice the term "other inducement"? Just because in England or in most of the Western world we (generally) don't engage in monetary bribery to get what we want, doesn't mean we're not still guilty of it in other ways. When companies take potential clients out to see high-profile sports matches with front-row seats, in the hope that they can generate new business, isn't that bribery? Which is in turn, a form of corruption?

David Beckham and Jack Warner in Trinidad & Tobago during the England 2018 World Cup bid

When David Beckham as part of the England 2018 World Cup campaign travelled to Trinidad to give coaching clinics in the hope that the FA could gain support for their World Cup bid, wasn't that bribery? Even Jack Warner recognises the hypocrisy, drawing comparisons with the FA and former FIFA executive Mohamed Bin Hammam, who was given a life ban from football in 2011 after he was accused of trying to buy votes in the 2011 FIFA presidential election. Warner said, "Of what is the difference between Bin Hammam and the English national team coming here to play Trinidad & Tobago? What is the difference between Bin Hammam and David Beckham having coaching clinics at the Centre of Excellence?".

People may think the comparison is crazy, but he has actually got a point. What is the actual difference? Just because the FA didn't hand FIFA or Jack Warner a brown envelope with a large wad of cash inside, does not mean they are any less guilty of deploying tactics in order to try and influence FIFA's decision by convincing them to vote for England.

Two. There HAVE been cases in England in the not-to-distant-past where bribery has taken place in the form of cold hard cash. Anybody remember the News of the World? Police officials being financially bribed by journalists in exchange for stories? So much for that "non-corrupt" world ay?


I personally don't believe Russia or Qatar should be stripped of their rights as tournament hosts in 2018 and 2022 respectively. Even if the allegations of corruption and bribery are true, they should not be blamed, but rather it is the system which allowed the practice to thrive and become normalised that should be persecuted.

Even Jack Warner admitted that within FIFA, the act of giving money in exchange for votes and support was the norm. Speaking to The Telegraph in regards to a "gift" of $40,000 by Bin Hammam to Caribbean delegates for the support for the Qatar World Cup bid, he said, "When Bin Hammam came here [Trinidad], what he did or didn't do was not inconsistent with FIFA practice for over 100 years".

Here that? Over 100 years has corruption and outright bribery taken place at FIFA. As a result no one, not even  England can claim immunity from having been affected by it, nor can they claim they did not actively and willingly engage in a part of the bribe culture just because their bribe came in a form that was different to everybody else's.

I suggest that we let Russia and Qatar keep their hosting rights, and allow the 2022 tournament to mark the official end of a troublesome era that has greatly tarnished the reputation  of world football's governing body. The system at FIFA needs to be changed so that any acts of bribery, whether explicit, implicit or otherwise, in exchange for votes or support are expressly forbidden. Only then, will we be able to see real change at FIFA and thus the true eradication of corruption at the highest level of football administration.