Date Published: 05/10/11

FRAUD IN FIFA: Untold Scandals of Sepp Blatter ...Stakeholders urge Ethics Committee to investigate him
*His many bribery deals leak
*Promises $1bn to 'buy' votes
*Massive revolution against FIFA around the world

FIFA President, Sepp Blatter

FIFA President, Joseph Sepp Blatter, seeking a fourth term shot at the presidency of the world football ruling body is allegedly embroiled in acts of bribery and corruption which contravenes Bribery Act 2010 of United Kingdom (UK), Section 7. The Acts which deals with risk states that “A bribery conviction can have wider implications for both individuals e.g. director disqualification, and business e.g. blacklisting from public procurement exercises, since the offences can be committed by both a corporate entity and an individual, both of whom can be potentially liable for an unlimited fine and/or up to ten years' imprisonment. At the corporate level, action can be brought against "senior officers", such as directors and partners, where it can be demonstrated that the offence took place with their consent or connivance.” For this reason, the Ministry of Justice in UK announced on 20 July 2010 that the Bribery Act comes into force in April 2011.

Our Correspondent gathered that the Act sets out provisions in four categories of offence, which includes bribing another person, being bribed, bribing a foreign public official and the failure of a "relevant commercial organisation" to prevent bribery by an associated person (the Section 7 Offence). A relevant commercial organisation in this Act includes a company or partnership incorporated or formed in the UK or which carries on business in any part of the UK and an "associated person" is defined widely to include employees, agents and subsidiaries. It is vital to say that the UK's approach to bribery law differs significantly in important respects from that of other jurisdictions-that of the United States (U)S under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).

The territorial scope of the Act is extremely wide. The corporate offence of failing to prevent bribery can be committed by a relevant commercial organisation irrespective of where the bribe takes place. The other offences apply, and can be prosecuted in the UK, when they are committed in the UK but also where they are committed outside the UK by a person with a "close connection" with the UK. The concept of a "close connection" captures, for example, British citizens/residents and UK incorporated bodies and Scottish.

Blatter’s hotel accommodation bribe in UK

Investigation by Nigeria Standard showed that Blatter begged London Mayor Boris Johnson to kindly make Dorchester Hotel, an expensive hotel for only top celebrities available to him and few FIFA chiefs during the London 2012 Olympics.

Johnson had offered accommodation at the hotel for FIFA president Blatter and other members during the Games but withdrew the offer after England's 2018 World Cup bid defeat. Sources said Boris was angry that up to eight FIFA members had promised to vote for England through the bidding and assurance of Blatter but in the end only two did so.

Johnson reportedly said: "Despite what has been said, the Dorchester Hotel business is really a matter for LOCOG [the London Organizing Committee] and I'm sure they'll make their decision on the best possible basis. It's no secret that we are very upset with FIFA though. Losing the vote in Zurich was bitterly disappointing…”

Further investigation by Nigeria Standard confirmed that Blatter deliberately made more demand for rooms in the Dorchester which exceeded supply during the Games, and members of LOCOG were really disappointed in the ‘bribery act’ of Blatter, which made them to decide who will stay in the five-star hotel. As a confirmation, LOCOG statement said: "FIFA has requested rooms in the Dorchester Hotels for the Games along with other groups.”

Blatter & $1 billion bribe to voting members

With fears that he may eventually loose FIFA Presidential contest, to his challenger Mohamed Bin Hammam, Blatter launches re-election manifesto promising $1 billion ‘handout’ to voting members which breaches the ethics’ rule of FIFA. Blatter has promised to hand out $1 billion (£610,000) in “development” funds to the 208 members associations that will decide his fate as president in the forthcoming FIFA election.

We learnt that this promise of direct FIFA funding, which he says will increase if the 2014 World Cup is a financial success, is contained in a four-page letter sent to national associations that passes as the manifesto for Blatter’s campaign against Hammam.

Despite persistent criticism of his tenure at FIFA and growing calls for wholesale reform of the organisation, Blatter’s manifesto promises more of the same, stressing that he offers “stability, continuity and reliability”, whereas acts of ‘bribery and corruption’ have tainted his continued stay in office on moral grounds. For 13 years in the post, Blatter has little choice but to run on his record, considering the daily calls to FIFA for a complete overhaul, which he has rejected because he allegedly believes all his financial misconduct will come in the open.

Stakeholders call on Ethics Commiittee to probe Blatter

The offer of financial assistance, we gathered is a familiar theme for Blatter. He unveiled a $250,000 bonus for all federations when he announced his candidacy before the World Cup last year and $1 billion offer matches later.

According to Simeon King, a resident of Liverpool, UK, “This is the time for the Ethics Commiittee to commence immediate investigation against Blatter because he is now seeing as a corrupt leader who is not morally competent to lead the organisation into a better future because he is bereft of new ideas.”

Klushe Stomrge, a Russian football fanatic is not different as he told Nigeria Standard exclusively that “Blatter is a reflection of fraud. How can a kettle be calling pot black? We know all his antecedents as a corrupt man. We don’t want him. If nothing is done now by the Ethics’ Committee, we shall commence similar revolution in sports like in Arab world. Football unites the whole world and we cannot leave this game in the hand of a man whose integrity is tainted by fraud.”

Tolokahsme Yomesheke, a Japanese football agent said in anger “We are gathering momentum to commence billion-man protest against Blatter, except the Ethics Committee quickly begins investigation now.”

From Holland, Germany, Spain and United States, the call is the same now: “Blatter must be investigated for fraud and corruption by the Ethics’ Committee or else stakeholders and investors in FIFA will pull out of the game until Blatter faces the music.”

PHUNELO MASHA/Special Correspondent with Nigeria Standard Newspaper.com filed in this exclusive report from Malaysia.