Two people familiar with the matter said that FIFA "launched an internal investigation of alleged corruption, in a development that may signal greater cooperation with criminal probes by U.S. and Swiss authorities," according to Ingram & Evans of REUTERS. Sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that members of FIFA's exec committee "were briefed on the internal investigation at a closed-door meeting in Zurich last month." The sources said that Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, a U.S. law firm, "is conducting the investigation, which is running parallel to the probes" by authorities in the U.S. and Switzerland. They added that the results of the investigation "are expected to be shared with the authorities." It was previously known only that FIFA had hired Quinn Emanuel "to represent its interests during the U.S. and Swiss investigations." FIFA "is cooperating with authorities and will not comment on ongoing investigations." Representatives with the world's six continental football confederations "either declined to comment or did not respond to requests for comment." Quinn Emanuel lawyers in their presentation to FIFA's exec committee last month "made clear that they are reporting to FIFA's general counsel, Marco Villiger, not to FIFA President Sepp Blatter or Secretary General Jerome Valcke" (REUTERS, 8/7).
'GOOD PROPOSAL': The AP reported UEFA Secretary General Gianni Infantino said that "former Olympic official François Carrard is the only current candidate" to chair FIFA’s reform task force. FIFA "promised to appoint an independent person from outside football." Infantino said Carrard, a Swiss lawyer, "is an excellent person and he has the necessary experience." Infantino said Carrard is "a good proposal because you need someone who can unite" (AP, 8/7). INT'L BUSINESS TIMES' Thomas Barrabi wrote if he accepts, Carrard "will lead an 11-person investigatory unit that will make recommendations about how FIFA can address widespread corruption within its leadership." Carrard: "I have been approached and I will make a decision next week" (IB TIMES, 8/7).
STEPPING UP: CITY PRESS reported two "powerful individuals" -- former political prisoner Tokyo Sexwale of South Africa and South Korean magnate Chung Moon-joon -- "might not be eligible" to stand for the position of FIFA president. As much as Sexwale serves in the FIFA media committee and the global task force against racism and discrimination, "the fact that he is not a member of a football association might rule him out." Chung announced that "he will stand" and intends to address the UEFA exec before Tuesday’s Super Cup match in Georgia. However, "his only remaining tie with football" is his honorary FIFA vice-presidency. A City Press enquiry to FIFA on whether a candidate must meet all the rules set out in the electoral regulations "was not answered by the time of going to press last night" (CITY PRESS, 8/9).
GHANDI JOINS TASK FORCE: BLOOMBERG's Tariq Panja wrote Samir Ghandi, the American lawyer who "is reorganizing scandal-hit" CONCACAF, "has been nominated to join the task force that will suggest reforms at FIFA." A person familiar with the matter said that Ghandi, a partner in N.Y. at Sidley Austin LLP, and Victor Montagliani, president of the Canadian Soccer Association, will represent CONCACAF on the panel. The Confederation of African Football said that exec committee members Hany Abu Rida from Egypt and Constant Omari of the Democratic Republic of Congo "would be its representatives." Australian Kevan Gosper, a former IOC VP, "would be one of the Asian Football Confederation’s nominees." CONMEBOL is nominating Uruguay FA President Wilmar Valdez and UFA Dir General Gorka Villar (BLOOMBERG, 8/7).
