FIFA's investigation into the controversial bidding for the '18 and '22 World Cups "has taken another twist" after Chief Investigator Michael Garcia "complained the summary of his report that cleared Qatar of substantive wrongdoing misrepresented his conclusions," according to Owen Gibson of the GUARDIAN. Garcia "spent 18 months investigating the convoluted and controversial World Cup race that ended with the selection" of Russia for '18 and Qatar for '22. But when FIFA's independent Ethics Committee Adjudicatory Chamber Chair Hans-Joachim Eckert today "closed the investigation ... after ruling there was not enough evidence to justify reopening the process, a furious Garcia said the summary he had published did not reflect his findings." Garcia added that he would "appeal to the FIFA ethics committee." Gibson notes while Garcia promised anonymity for whistle blowers "in order to encourage them to give evidence," he "favoured publishing as much of his 430-page report as possible -- with redactions where required." Eckert "insisted on publishing only his interim 42-page summary of the findings, with a promise any sanctions against individuals would be decided by the spring" (THEGUARDIAN.com, 11/13). The London Telegraph's Henry Winter noted Garcia's report "is apparently far more critical" of FIFA President Sepp Blatter than Eckert's version. Winter: "This is truly humiliating for Fifa" (TWITTER.com, 11/13).
TWITTER REAX: Today's developments have garnered a lot of reaction on Twitter. SI's
Grant Wahl wrote, "One head of
FIFA's ethics committee is charging the other head of
FIFA's ethics committee with being completely unethical. That's so
FIFA." The Cauldron's
Andy Glockner: "Only
FIFA could request a 2-year investigation on corruption, then have that investigator rip the summary of his investigation." The
N.Y. Times Sports' official feed: "
FIFA commissioned an investigation. That investigation determined that
FIFA was not guilty of corruption. Surprised?" The London Times'
Oliver Kay: "Oh dear
Fifa. Your own investigator believes you've misrepresented his investigation. Good luck with that 'closure' you're looking for." ESPN's
Bob Ley: "Is anyone REALLY surprised by
FIFA's whitewash of this WCup investigation? My kingdom for a glance at the Garcia Report. #SameOld
FIFA." The Washington Post's
Steven Goff: "NCAA to
FIFA: We couldn't have done it better ourselves. Bravo!" Sports anchor
Len Berman: "If I'm ever accused of wrong doing, I want Florida State and
FIFA to investigate. #turnablindeye." The Washington Post's
Cindy Boren: "I'm beginning to think that
FIFA may not be on the up-and-up." Yahoo Canada's
Steve McAllister: "One of the great oxymorons in sports -
FIFA ethics committee." The Sun's
Dan King: "Any statement which takes time out to PRAISE Blatter and
FIFA's roles in all this is null and void." ESPN's
Julie Foudy: "If I didn't have to wake my kids for school, I may just have another 70 tweets about
FIFA. Be thankful for my kids."
MORE TO COME? CNN.com's Perez & Prokupecz report the FBI is "stepping up the pace of a corruption investigation into senior leaders of FIFA" despite the organization "giving itself a clean bill of health" today. Investigators are "moving ahead with their probe, which could result in charges against senior FIFA officials." N.Y.-based FBI agents are "moving ahead with their 3-year-old investigation, which will likely benefit from" Garcia's report (CNN.com, 11/13).
