FIFA under scrutiny for misleading investigation

FIFA is being held responsible for deceptive actions in the case of the World Cup rights mystery, according to a recent decision issued by a Swiss court. Directors from the governing body finally went to trial this year, following a seven-year investigation.

The FIFA members have been amid an embezzlement controversy since 2001, with respect to the GBP 45 million paid for World Cup TV rights that supposedly went missing.

ISL, FIFA's former marketing agency, acquired the GBP 45 million from Brazilian TV broadcaster Globo but failed to forward the money to FIFA. Once ISL went bankrupt, the money was nowhere to be found.

FIFA now finds itself in the hot seat, after a memo - written by FIFA's former finance director Urs Linsi, which used as court evidence revealed that the Association has always known about the funds in question.

The memo said: "It was a higher-level decision within FIFA not to put too much pressure on ISL." The only higher level than Linsi was FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

The court determined that FIFA failed to disclose this important information and that their actions were not "in good faith."

In addition to public reprimand, FIFA will be responsible for paying GBP 57,000 in costs.

Blatter insists that FIFA acted appropriately but no comments have been released regarding the financial penalty.

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