Transparency International calls for full publication of World Cup investigation
Transparency International says FIFA’s handling of the investigation into the bidding for the World Cups in 2018 and 2022 is flawed and incomplete, and the anti-corruption group called for the full report to be published today.
In the statement by Hans Joachim Eckert, the chair of the adjudicatory chamber of FIFA’s Ethics Committee, admitted that Michael Garcia, head of the investigation chamber of the Ethics Committee, was not able to use all the investigative powers that he would have liked. Nevertheless Eckert concluded from the investigation that awarding of the World Cups to Russia and Qatar was fair. But Garcia has since said Eckert’s statement misrepresents his report and he will appeal the decision to FIFA.
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World Cup bid corruption whistleblower – ‘When it comes to Fifa, be prepared to be crucified and betrayed’
The whistleblower who first made serious allegations about Qatar’s bid for the World Cup has confirmed she withdrew them under pressure from the country.
Phaedra Almajid worked on Qatar 2022’s bid team and alleged that Fifa executive committee members Issa Hayatou, Jacques Anouma and Amos Adamu were given $1.5 million (around £1m) to vote for Qatar.
But she later retracted the claims, saying she had fabricated them in order to gain revenge on the bid after losing her job.
Read more: World Cup bid corruption