Menu
International Football

FIFA Set To Vote On Publication Of Ethics Investigator Michael Garcia's Report

FIFA's exec committee began a two-day meeting amid tight security on Thursday "with members expected to vote on whether to release ethics investigator Michael Garcia's report into the turbulent bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups," according to Brian Homewood of REUTERS. The meeting, at a luxury Marrakech hotel where even the grounds were off limits to the public, "began the day after Garcia quit in protest at the handling of his investigation into the process which led to the 2018 World Cup being awarded to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar in December 2010." Sources close to the FIFA leadership suggested that "the vote could be closer than expected and that more committee members might be moved to vote in favor of the release of a redacted version of Garcia's report as public pressure on them grows." Germany Exec Committee Member Theo Zwanziger "made the proposal for the report to be released in full, although to do so FIFA would first have to alter its code of ethics, where article 36 currently limits what can be published" (REUTERS, 12/18).

FIFA ANALYSIS: In London, Tom Peck opined the FIFA Exec Committee will meet "under the shadow of what must be the most serious crisis in the organisation’s history." But "it is a crisis of a particular kind." Crises, be they war, famine, natural disaster, "tend to force dramatic change." There "is no certainty, indeed there is no likelihood even, that anything will change." A "run through the names, their reputations, and prior track record on corruption, suggest that eight of the 25 will vote in favour of the report to be published." Garcia’s resignation "heaps further pressure on the rest." But "it is unlikely to turn anyone." Only deep embarrassment -- only shame -- will force FIFA "to change" (INDEPENDENT, 12/18). Also in London, Kevin Garside wrote "the surprise" is that it took Garcia so long to walk. You "would hope that his move might wound the medieval fiefdom in Switzerland that runs world football, particularly the titular head," FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who "brazenly expressed surprise at the developments." FIFA "has hitherto proved beyond the jurisdiction of any." It "is accountable to none." Garcia "was obliged not to make his report public." Now that he is outside the organization, "the option to leak its contents is obvious" (INDEPENDENT, 12/17). In London, Oliver Kay opined if this "wretched" FIFA regime "had even a shred of credibility left to lose, it would have disappeared yesterday." Garcia was the “corruption-buster” whose appointment was supposed to convince us it was serious about cleaning up its act. His "angry, despairing resignation tells us all we need to know." Any other organization "would be left embarrassed -- humiliated, even" -- but FIFA, under Blatter’s "interminable presidency, knows no shame." It "does not care for what is best for football -- or even what is best" for FIFA. When Blatter talks, "nauseatingly, of protecting the interests of the 'football family,' what he is referring to is self-interest" (LONDON TIMES, 12/18). GOAL's Ben Hayward wrote "so much" for FIFA's fair play motto. Garcia's resignation "is the latest farce in a long line of controversies" for FIFA. FIFA's "credibility is at an all-time low" (GOAL, 12/18). The BBC's Dan Roan wrote the resignation "is another humiliation for the organisation." Garcia did not just quit -- "he called into question the entire integrity, leadership and culture" of FIFA. He was the organization's lead investigator, its ethics committee chairman, and the man "hired to clean up a toxic, discredited body after years of scandal." Instead, "he reached the end of his tether and walked away in disgust" (BBC, 12/18).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2014/12/19/International-Football/Garcia-report.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Global/Issues/2014/12/19/International-Football/Garcia-report.aspx

CLOSE