FIFA Admits World Cup Bribery, Makes Claim for Compensation

FIFA is admitting its executive committee members sold past World Cup votes as it seeks to claim tens of millions of dollars in bribe money seized by U.S. officials.

In a claim submitted to the U.S. Attorney’s office, FIFA acknowledged widespread graft in previous years, saying it was the victim of corrupt individuals.

In its demand for restitution the world football governing body says it is entitled to recover sums paid to or for the benefit of the officials in the corruption case, including compensation, per diems, travel, and other costs.

FIFA estimates its losses at $28.2 million.

Corrupted negociations

The claim says executive committee members and their co-conspirators «corrupted the negotiations for 15 different sets of FIFA World Cup qualifiers.»

Former FIFA officials who have pled guilty have agreed to pay more than $190 million in forfeiture, according to U.S. authorities.

The United States has charged 42 sports officials and associates of FIFA on wire fraud, racketeering, and money laundering charges. The defendants include former heads of national and continental governing bodies.

In a separate action, Swiss authorities have launched a criminal inquiry into FIFA’s controversial awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar.