The U.S. Department of Justice awarded $ 201 million to FIFA, the governing body of international football; CONCACAF, the confederation that oversees football in North and Central America along with Caribbean countries; CONMEBOL, the confederation of government in South America, and other affected entities.
The Justice Department determined that the organizations had been victims of decades of bribery plans that have corrupted football and slowed the development of the game.
“I am delighted to see that the money that has been illegally withdrawn from football is now being used again for the right purposes, as it should have been in the first place,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “The truth is that, thanks to the intervention (of the U.S. Department of Justice) in 2015, we have been able to fundamentally change FIFA from a toxic organization at the time to a highly esteemed and trusted global sports governing body. “.
The investigation led to charges against more than 50 people and companies in more than 20 countries, the DOJ said. The charges are “primarily related to the offering and receiving of bribes and rewards paid by sports marketing companies to football officials in exchange for the media and marketing rights to various football tournaments and events,” the statement said. DOJ.
Initially, an indictment was unblocked in May 2015, according to the DOJ statement, which accused 14 FIFA officials and executives of mock-up sports marketing, fraud of honest services and money laundering offenses, among others. others. 16 additional FIFA officials were charged with similar offenses after an indictment was unveiled in December 2015, the DOJ said.
“Four corporate entities have pleaded guilty and others, including banking institutions, have acknowledged their role in criminal conduct through deferred processes or non-processing agreements,” the DOJ statement said, adding that the investigation still is in progress.
FIFA, CONCACAF and CONMEBOL will distribute $ 201 million in funding for a newly created World Cup referral fund, which will be set up under the FIFA Foundation “which focuses on youth programs, community outreach and humanitarian needs, ”DOJ said.