U.S. and European sources familiar with the probes said that the American and Swiss criminal investigations into corruption in global football "are unlikely to lead to any threat to Russia retaining the hosting rights for the 2018 World Cup," according to Mark Hosenball of REUTERS. Prosecutors in N.Y. and Zurich are "examining whether there were irregularities in the awarding of the rights to hold that tournament" and the '22 competition, which went to Qatar. The review of those decisions is "part of a wider investigation into FIFA and its affiliates" that led to the indictment in May of nine officials. The sources said that Swiss officials "do not expect their continuing investigation of FIFA will come up with the kind of evidence of wrongdoing that would force the Zurich-based body to reconsider" holding the '18 competition in Russia. This is "particularly the case given there is now less than three years to go before the tournament, making a switch to another country potentially a logistical nightmare" (REUTERS, 8/20).
BLATTER-PLATINI RIFT: REUTERS' Evans & Homewood reported an "increasingly bitter rift" between FIFA President Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini looks set to "define the campaign to elect the next leader" of FIFA. The "tense relationship" between the Swiss and the Frenchman, once described by Blatter as being "like father and son," has descended in recent days into "open conflict." A former senior FIFA official said, "Blatter will do whatever he can to stop Platini becoming president of FIFA. He hasn't yet found the candidate he thinks can beat Platini, but you can be sure he is searching for one." In a sign of the "deepening rancor," Blatter said in an interview with Dutch newspaper Volkskrant on Saturday that there was an "anti-FIFA virus" at UEFA. He further alleged that Platini had "intimidated his family before May's FIFA election." Platini's camp dismissed the charge as "ridiculous" (REUTERS, 8/20).
FIRST MEETING: REUTERS' Evans reported FIFA said on Thursday that its "new reform committee" will hold its first meeting in Berne on Sept. 2. Committee Chair François Carrard: "The first meeting of the 2016 FIFA Reform Committee will be held in the Swiss capital of Berne on 2-3 September 2015. No further comments on the meeting will be provided at this time" (REUTERS, 8/20).
RAISING THE STANDARD: REUTERS' Homewood reported FIFA said on Thursday that professional football clubs worldwide "will have to meet minimum standards in stadium safety," the treatment of fans and youth football development to be admitted into certain competitions. They will "also have to agree to be more transparent about their owners and allow independent auditing of their finances." FIFA said it would create a global club licensing framework by the end of next year to set "minimum standards" which would "then be implemented by the continental confederations, taking into account local conditions" (REUTERS, 8/20).
