FIFA paid Linsi millions in pay-off

FIFA which just paid GBP 45 million to MasterCard because of a sponsorship dispute concerning the World Cup, has given its former general secretary, Urs Linsi, eight years salary as a settlement after being forced out of FIFA in June, total of GBP 8 million.

It is understood that there are serious concerns among FIFA's top brass at the circumstances surrounding how Linsi managed to secure a new GBP 500,000 annually for eight-years contract in April, at a time when his whole future was in question.

Michael Schallhart, who was Linsi's deputy, and Jurg Imfeld, head of human resources, left with Linsi and received GBP 500,000 each as separation pay.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter is thought to have been furious when told of the contract, but said the severance money paid is "an internal matter".

Although it doesn't seem like any action is being taken, the issue is likely to be discussed when FIFA's executive committee meet in Zurich at the end of next month and there may be calls for Lord Sebastian Coe, who is chairman of FIFA's ethics committee, to look into it.

Linsi's exit deal included a confidentiality clause and he has refused to speak about FIFA since he left the organisation. Linsi was also involved in the MasterCard saga as former managing director of FIFA's marketing company.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.