FIFA In A Fresh Bribery Scandal Over 2018, 2022 World Cups Hosting Rights

FIFA officials were bribed into awarding the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, alleges a US Justice Department Indictment. Both countries won the right to host their respective World Cups in December 2010.

According to a newly-published US Justice Department document, evidence has been found proving high-ranking FIFA officials were offered and/or received bribes for their votes.

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The original subjects of the indictment are former Fox executives Carlos Martinez and Hernan Lopez who are accused of offering kickbacks for broadcasting rights to the Copa Libertadores.

The indictment states: “Several executive committee members were offered or received bribes in connection with their votes.

“For example, the defendant Ricardo Teixeira, Nicolas Leoz and Co-Conspirator 1 were offered and received bribe payments in exchange for their votes in favor of Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup.

“In addition, the defendant Jack Warner was promised and received bribe payments totaling [sic] $5 million and Rafael Salguero was promised a $1million bribe in exchange for their votes in favor [sic] of Russia to host the 2018 World Cup.”