MANY PUNDITS around the world, including this author, who follow developments in relation to the administration of world football or soccer as some call it, speculated that one day this would happen. And unfortunately we are now all witnessing the crumbling of the deck of cards known to all and sundry as FIFA.
The dramatic unfolding of events over the past few days in relation to alleged financial wrongdoings that have been going on in FIFA over the last two decades have surely taken the world by storm.
If truth be told, the accusations of corruption involving US$150 million in “shadowy dealing and in bribes” levied against 14 top-level football representatives and marketing executives by the United States (US) justice officials were a bombshell even though similar allegations have been made in several quarters before by some who claimed to have had knowledge of the goings-on in the world governing body for football.
To some, the activities of the past few days may very well be seen as just business as usual.
To others, those indictments raise a number of serious questions about accountability, transparency and good governance in relation to FIFA.
And this latter point is important because football is the most beautiful sport in the world with the largest fan base.
Even more alarming is the fact that the sport has grown significantly over the years, allowing FIFA to become a huge financial enterprise with a massive amount of power to influence most of its affiliates.
But, what really is at stake here?
Football, as has been demonstrated in various countries over the years, is a uniting force globally and an area of undertaking that can lift many ordinary folks out of poverty.
It also provides a medium through which powerful businesses can grow and expand their brands internationally.
Hence, it is no surprise, therefore, that major companies such as Sony, Emirates, Castrol, Continental Tyres, Johnson & Johnson, Visa, Adidas, Budweiser, McDonalds and Coca-Cola have all come on board as huge sponsors of FIFA.
When those sponsorships are combined with other income-generating activities undertaken by FIFA, a huge financial enterprise emerges.
That picture is confirmed by US officials leading the fight against alleged corruption in FIFA. According to the Federal indictment paper, between 2007 and 2010, FIFA earned US$4.189 billion in revenue and profit of US$631 million.
A fair amount of those resources have been channelled to the various continental, regional and national football associations for among other things, developmental programmes.
Clearly, therefore, FIFA is a powerful organisation with the financial clout to promote the advancement of football globally and bring pride and joy to the hearts of billions of people on this planet.
To do so, FIFA must ensure that it adheres to good practices in all aspects of its operations if only to maintain the “proper” image that would please corporate sponsors and give ordinary people a strong sense of hope that world football is being effectively managed.
Against this backdrop and given the indictments against leading figures in FIFA who worked under the direction of the current president, why was the incumbent re-elected? Clearly, the answer to that question must reflect the fact that in the world of football, money more so than anything else matters.