REPORTING FIFA CORRUPTION Read about the experiences of two reporters working at the frontline of sport corruption  Andrew Jennings Asking Blatter about bribes In the face of strong opposition from FIFA, investigative reporter Andrew Jennings has published his book "Foul!" on wrong-doings in soccer's international governing body. Read an extract from the book Visit the homepage for "Foul!" Review: Abuse of power Danish sports editor Søren-Mikael Hansen reviews "Foul!" and calls it a depressing picture of the decay taking place outside the football fields.  | Lasana Liburd | Jack Warner and the Simpaul saga Trinidad Express journalist Lasana Liburd looks back on an investigative World Cup ticket story that shook FIFA and exposed vice president Jack Warner with his hand in the till. |
| FIFA AND ISL FOR BEGINNERS Read Play the Game's brief introductions to the complex relationship between FIFA and sports marketing company, ISL. Or jump directly to the timeline below.
The fall of the ISL
Horst Dassler built the world's most influential sports marketing company, ISL. At the turn of the millenium, ISL lost market shares and began purchasing television rights on a large scale. This led to a cash flow crisis that ultimately felled the company which leaves a debt of 300 million US dollars. Mysterious repayments of bribes The liquidator of ISL discovered that sports officials including FIFA officials received bribes from the company and demanded that they were paid back to the insolvent estate. A large sum of money was repaid but a court orders has prevented details from being handed over to the investigating magistrate. The Globo money that never showed up When ISL sold on television rights for 60 million US dollars to TV-Globo, FIFA was meant to get a share of 22 million. The money never came under FIFA control and after ISL's bankruptcy, FIFA reported ISL to the police alleging fraud and embezzlement. Three years later FIFA withdrew the complain without explanation. What FIFA lost on ISL ISL's serious liquidity problems in the course of 2000 and 2001 still causes great concern in the financial sector in FIFA. After a settlement in 2002, President Blatter maintains that FIFA has lost 'only' 42-46 million US dollars on the bankruptcy. A small amount compared to the 340 million Blatter previously reported to FIFA's Executive Committee. FIFA's transparency offensive FIFA does not have many comments on its problems with ISL. But since the collapse of the marketing company, FIFA has gone on the offensive with regards to governance and transparency by adopting a Code of Ethics and establishing a taskforce "For the Good of the Game." Timeline FIFA-ISL A timeline tracing the main incidents in the complex cases between ISL and FIFA that have arisen in the wake of the bankruptcy of the sports marketing agency ISL.
|
