ISL trial coming into focus

A fraud trial this week will place a spotlight on the shady dealings that led to the fall of former FIFA marketing partner ISL.

Six former ISL executives, including former chairman Jean-Marie Weber, are facing charges ranging from embezzlement to the falsification of documents. Prosecutors are seeking sentences ranging from three years to 54 months. The defendants have pled not guilty.

ISL, now out of business, managed FIFA's marketing and television rights for more than 20 years. In May 2001, it fell under the burden of an estimated USD 300 million in debt. ISL also was partnered with the International Olympic Committee and ATP Tennis Tour.

The bad business took its toll at FIFA, where 11 members of the executive committee filed a criminal complaint of financial mismanagement against president Sepp Blatter. The complaint was thrown out by prosecutors in December 2002, as it noted that the 11 men had collectively approved of Blatter's decisions.

No members of FIFA stand accused in this case.

"We have nothing to fear," Blatter told reporters following last weekend's meeting of the International Football Association Board in Scotland. "We started the court case against ISL because we lost money that should have been channeled to us.

"We look forward to the trial. It will not disturb the work and the responsibilities of football, or FIFA."

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