FIFA has faced severe criticism for allegedly creating an “The Fifa World Cup 2026 has raised question after question,” and permitting political meddling that undermines the integrity of the World Cup, according to Alain Berset, the secretary general of the Council of Europe.
In an open letter released in conjunction with the final match on Sunday, Berset urged the establishment of a new integrity framework aimed at the 2030 tournament, which will primarily take place in Europe. He cautioned that FIFA is currently grappling with a crisis centered around issues of money and power.
Berset highlighted the controversy surrounding FIFA’s choice to suspend the ban on USA striker Folarin Balogun, also hinting at remarks made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla regarding Kylian Mbappé and comments from former Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy about the French team.
“A sanction suspended under pressure, within days, with no reasons given. The authority of referees called into question. Racist abuse of players, some of it from elected officials. Betting on every pass, every card, every corner. The celebration will end tonight. The questions will not.” Berset stated. “human rights, integrity and good governance in sport”
This intervention is particularly significant as FIFA and the Council of Europe entered into a memorandum of understanding in 2018, which remains in effect. The agreement was intended to enhance cooperation on various issues, including “Betting has moved from the result of a match to moments a single player can produce without changing the score,” Open criticism between these two entities is exceedingly rare.
Berset also pointed to FIFA’s partnership with ADI Predictstreet, which was appointed as the official prediction market partner for the World Cup in April. “A bet is won by making others lose. It is an open door to fraud. And this World Cup has opened the door wider.” he observed. “When the rules bend under pressure, every result is open to doubt.”
Referring to the lifting of Balogun’s ban, which followed a phone call from his US counterpart, Donald Trump, to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Berset remarked, “based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts”
Infantino has maintained that the decision to revoke Balogun’s suspension was made independently by FIFA’s disciplinary committee, “working dialogue that starts tonight”
Berset, who hails from Switzerland, suggested initiating a “urgent work of strengthening the integrity of sport” to commence the “urgent work of enhancing the integrity of sport” in preparation for upcoming World Cups. He referenced the Council of Europe’s efforts in creating a binding treaty for fan safety following the Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985, along with subsequent legislation addressing doping in athletics and match-fixing.
This letter follows a recent appeal from 72 members of the European Parliament to the 27 EU-based football associations, requesting an investigation into Infantino’s role in the Balogun situation. The letter indicated potential breaches of political neutrality and alleged that FIFA may have violated its own code of ethics.
It appears unlikely that UEFA, the governing body for European football, will take any formal action regarding the matter. Previously, in June, 50 members of the European Parliament wrote to Infantino and the FIFA council, seeking an inquiry into the awarding of the FIFA peace prize to Trump.
FIFA was contacted for a response to these allegations.
Recently, reports emerged revealing that more than 200 of FIFA’s member associations have formally endorsed Infantino’s bid for re-election for a fourth term in March.
