Fifa receives World Cup corruption report

[BalanceOfPower]

Fifa receives World Cup corruption report

Sep 5, 2014 15:24:41

The world governing body has confirmed receipt of Michael Garcia's investigation into apparent corruption during the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments

Fifa says it has received the report of former US attorney Michael Garcia into possible corruption surrounding the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Garcia was assigned by the world governing body to investigate potentially corrupt practices during the bid process for the two tournaments following a string of claims that underhandedness had led to Russia and Qatar being nominated as hosts.

And after a wide-ranging process inquiry, Fifa has confirmed that it received Garcia’s final report on Friday.

“On Friday, September 5, 2014, chairman Michael J. Garcia and deputy chairman Cornel Borbely of the investigatory chamber of the Fifa Ethics Committee transmitted a 350-page ‘Report on the Inquiry into the 2018/2022 Fifa World Cup Bidding Process’ to the adjudicatory chamber,” the organisation confirmed via a statement.

“The report sets forth detailed factual findings; reaches conclusions concerning further action with respect to certain individuals; identifies issues to be referred to other Fifa committees; and makes recommendations for future bidding processes.

“Pursuant to the Fifa Code of Ethics, the adjudicatory chamber will now make a final decision on the Report and supplemental reports, including publication.”

The finalisation of the report comes after interviews with more than 75 witnesses and includes more than 200,000 pages of material.

Fifa may decide not to publish the whole report, with president Sepp Blatter reportedly among the senior figures who will make a final judgement on which parts will be made public.