FIFA corruption report on 2018 and 2022 World Cups to deliver explosive findings
FIFA is preparing to reveal the long-awaited findings from its investigation into the controversial awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively. Although the report was submitted earlier this month, football fans and officials will have to wait a few more months for full disclosure on who was involved and to what extent.
Hans-Joachim Eckert, chairman of FIFA’s investigatory chamber, has signaled that the forthcoming revelations will be far from comfortable. “Many people won’t like what I’m going to tell them,” he warned, hinting at potentially explosive details.
The report reportedly outlines key facts, draws conclusions about individuals’ conduct, identifies cases to be referred to other FIFA committees, and recommends reforms for future bidding processes. FIFA has remained tight-lipped on specifics but acknowledged the significance of the findings.
Speculation is rife over which figures within FIFA might face scrutiny. The spotlight could fall heavily on senior officials, including long-serving FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who has led the organisation since 1998 and was preparing to run for re-election in 2015.
If corruption is confirmed, the governing body could face yet another scandal, deepening questions about governance and transparency at the highest levels of world football.
