ADVERTISEMENT

I always knew FIFA was corrupt – Journalist

For the past 15 years, Andrew Jennings has focused on FIFA, international soccer’s governing body.

 

The curmudgeonly old reporter who exposed the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) scandal that toppled the federation’s boss, Sepp Blatter says he has known for years that there were corrupt practices going on at FIFA.

“I know that they are criminal scum, and I’ve known it for years. And that is a thoughtful summation. That is not an insult. That is not throwing about wild words. These scum have stolen the people’s sport. They’ve stolen it, the cynical thieving bastards. So, yes, it’s nice to see the fear on their faces”, he said.

For the past 15 years, Andrew Jennings has focused on FIFA, international soccer’s governing body. Jennings has dug into the dirty deals underpinning the world’s most popular game.

Last week, several of FIFA’s leading officials, including Vice-president Jeffrey Webb, were arrested in a dawn raid at the luxury lakeside hotel in Zurich.

ADVERTISEMENT

They were detained pending extradition to the United States where they face federal corruption charges, including suspected bribery in the awarding of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Blatter resigned on Tuesday to exultant critics as a US investigation reportedly draws closer to snaring the most powerful man in world sport, following a series of arrests of top FIFA officials.

Blatter, who has ruled the world’s richest and most powerful sporting federation for 17 years, had just been elected for a fifth term in an election on Friday, but said he would step down after new corruption revelations about FIFA.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT