Latest claims and counter-claims show nothing has changed at FIFA
April 25, 2018
The latest reports from FIFA relating to the 2026 World Cup bidding process demonstrate – once again – why FIFA should not be running this process.
Recent reports state that FIFA’s CEO is now the subject of allegations to the FIFA ethics committee due to a possible family relationship with an ambassador of the Morocco 2026 bid, while there have been covert and overt rumours for months that FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, is favouring the United 2026 (USA, Canada and Mexico) bid and is trying to find obstacles to prevent the Morocco 2026 bid from progressing.
“Whether these claims are true or untrue, the fact is that regardless of the outcome of the vote for the 2026 World Cup, there will be claims and counter-claims about the integrity of the bidding process and vote – once again,” said #NewFIFANow co-founder, Bonita Mersiades.
“Fundamentally, this is because FIFA hasn’t reformed.
“While there may be a ‘proper process’ on paper in place for the 2026 World Cup bid, the way FIFA operates means that this doesn’t mean a thing.
“As I have said previously, when it comes to an issue of process versus culture, culture wins every time.
“And so it is with FIFA. They haven’t sorted-out their culture.
“There may be a few different people here and there at the top of world football and regional organisations, but the underlying issues and the culture that drives how people conduct their business has not changed,” said Ms Mersiades.
As well as being co-founder of #NewFIFANow, along with Damian Collins MP and businessman Jaimie Fuller, Ms Mersiades is the only football insider to have written a book about the 2018/2022 World Cup bidding contest and has significant relevant experience and exposure to the FIFA way.
#NewFIFANow believes that until FIFA and world football rebuild itself, there will be little real change in the organisation and accusations of, as a minimum favouritism, special deals and decisions not based on merit, will continue to undermine the reputation and credibility of world football administration.
ENDS
The latest reports from FIFA relating to the 2026 World Cup bidding process demonstrate – once again – why FIFA should not be running this process.
Recent reports state that FIFA’s CEO is now the subject of allegations to the FIFA ethics committee due to a possible family relationship with an ambassador of the Morocco 2026 bid, while there have been covert and overt rumours for months that FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, is favouring the United 2026 (USA, Canada and Mexico) bid and is trying to find obstacles to prevent the Morocco 2026 bid from progressing.
“Whether these claims are true or untrue, the fact is that regardless of the outcome of the vote for the 2026 World Cup, there will be claims and counter-claims about the integrity of the bidding process and vote – once again,” said #NewFIFANow co-founder, Bonita Mersiades.
“Fundamentally, this is because FIFA hasn’t reformed.
“While there may be a ‘proper process’ on paper in place for the 2026 World Cup bid, the way FIFA operates means that this doesn’t mean a thing.
“As I have said previously, when it comes to an issue of process versus culture, culture wins every time.
“And so it is with FIFA. They haven’t sorted-out their culture.
“There may be a few different people here and there at the top of world football and regional organisations, but the underlying issues and the culture that drives how people conduct their business has not changed,” said Ms Mersiades.
As well as being co-founder of #NewFIFANow, along with Damian Collins MP and businessman Jaimie Fuller, Ms Mersiades is the only football insider to have written a book about the 2018/2022 World Cup bidding contest and has significant relevant experience and exposure to the FIFA way.
#NewFIFANow believes that until FIFA and world football rebuild itself, there will be little real change in the organisation and accusations of, as a minimum favouritism, special deals and decisions not based on merit, will continue to undermine the reputation and credibility of world football administration.
ENDS