A "privileged existence" in Switzerland for some of the largest sports organizations in the world and their top execs including FIFA President Sepp Blatter "may be coming to an end," according to Katharina Bart of REUTERS. Responding to years of corruption allegations, lawmakers are poised to pass a set of laws known as "Lex FIFA" that would tighten oversight of the approximately 60 sporting bodies based in Switzerland. The first of the new laws, which is expected to be approved by parliament next Friday, "would treat Blatter and other top executives" such as IOC President Thomas Bach as "politically exposed persons" -- a term justice officials use to define those in positions that could be abused to launder money. This "would by necessity increase financial scrutiny of sports officials because Switzerland's banks are legally required to ensure funds are not of suspicious origin before they accept them." The campaign to increase oversight of major sports bodies "has been led since 2010 by lawmaker Roland Buechel, who says he is concerned that negative headlines around these organizations are tarnishing Switzerland's image" (REUTERS, 12/5).
