FIFA Corruption Scandal

News broke this week of a massive corruption scandal at FIFA after multiple high ranking members were arrested by Swiss Police on Wednesday morning followed by warrants for arrest for other members.

Arrest & Allegations

The initial arrests took place at luxury Baur au Lac hotel while the leadership of FIFA gathered in Zurich, Switzerland days before voting on a presidency of FIFA. The Swiss police arrested multiple high ranking FIFA member who are now set to be deported to the US and face federal charges of corruption. Former FIFA vice president Jack Warner handed himself in to police in Trinidad after a warrant for his arrest was issued by US authorities and still more FIFA members.

It is alleged that FIFA had a culture of corruption with $150 million in bribes and payoffs over 24 years among 9 officials and 5 corporate executives at FIFA. The group faces indictment for allegations of racketeering, money laundering and corruption. It's believed former FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer provided the key information that lead to the arrests.

Response

Since the arrests and allegations surfaced there have been serious questions raised by sponsors with VISA threatening to leave the multi-billion dollar soccer empire costing millions in sponsorships. With events costing in the millions many are asking questions about previous decisions and future venues including hosting win by Qatar with Australia asking questions after their bid for the 2022 event failed.

From the individual standpoint current FIFA President Sepp Blatter in now also in the cross airs after the allegations, however, he is expected to win the vote for president despite his close ties to those under investigation and calls for him to resign. Former Argentina captain Maradona believes the money accepted in bribes should go to training camps in Africa while Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the US of meddling with FIFA.

Need to Know - FIFA World Cup 2014

It's time for what some might call the greatest sporting event ever, even bigger than the Olympics but marred by, if not the same problems that plagued Russia's Sochi Winter Olympic games, a very similar set of problems.

Infrastructure

Since the announcement Brazil seems to have taken it's time preparing with delays to construction being reported in the build up to the games. Concerns over safety have also been top priority not only due to questionable construction but to the large number of deaths that have accompanied the construction of the various stadiums across Brazil.

Protests

Not only was the infrastructure progress questioned by the international media but locals took to the streets with protests often turning bloody over the high costs of hosting the World Cup. Calls for peace and calm often went unnoticed as riots and clashes with police persisted in the build up. Just days before the opening ceremony and first match between Brazil and Croatia there were skirmishes between protestors and police. But the protests didn't stop with those on the streets but continued with several key industries being brought to their knee's by striking workers.

Scandal

While the FIFA World Cup has officially been launched questions of it's readiness still abound. However, not only is the current event in question but also the future 2022 games to be held in Qatar which has been plagued with rumours of corruption and fraud. Even though Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA, has been surrounded by controversy over past, current and future hosting he has thrown his hat into the ring to continue his presidancey in what is a very dark history for FIFA and the World Cup.