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.
Sylvia Schenk, head of the Working Group on Sport at Transparency International Germany said: “FIFA needs to understand that a simple summary of an investigation will not draw a line under the allegations surrounding the awarding of the World Cups. Transparency International calls for the full report to be published immediately.”