A muddy game

A meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Football Federation was recently held in Zurich. According to his results, it was announced that the results of the investigation in the case of corruption during the elections of countries - housewives of the world and 2022 championships will not be made public in the near future.

It sounds strange. Perhaps for the global football community it is much more important that the world championships have passed. Actually, that’s all ... But corruption, which loves to conveniently arrange near any major event, is no less important. The football championship has long been the largest international event. And the fact that in FIFA, apparently, decisions are made, in appearance dubious and far from, let’s say, democratic principles, throws a shadow to this organization.

The results of the investigation in the case of corruption during the elections of countries - hostesses of the world and 2022 championships in the near future will not be made public

Meanwhile, according to lawyer FIFA Marco Williger, such a decision was made according to the Ethics Code of the International Football Federation, which is assigned ... confidentiality. And not publicity at all, as many could think. At the same time, it is expected that the results of the investigation will be summed up in November this year. But this is exactly what is "expected" ...

The decision to give Russia and Katar the world and 2022 championships, respectively, FIFA on December 2, 2010. Since that time, disputes, accusations and vague hints about the legitimacy of such a decision do not stop. In appearance, of course, there are grounds for doubt. There is practically no infrastructure in Russia, thanks to which the country can accept a tournament of this level. In Qatar, it is not there either, and the "climatic factor" is added - in the summer, when the championship is traditionally held, it is completely impossible to play in this country. Question: Why does FIFA put the organization of the tournament in extreme conditions, although, say, with Russia, such historical voting, such successful in football relations of the country as England, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Holland competed?

As for Russia, there is no unambiguous answer. In any case, the 2014 Olympics in Sochi showed that the absent infrastructure is not a hindrance: the country is not used to working in an emergency mode, attracting significant both human and financial resources. FIFA will now, at every opportunity, nod to the successful experience of the International Olympic Committee, without going into details about corruption, methods of work and even the political situation (as far as possible).

As for Qatar, there are an active compromise search. Katar even agreed to hold the World Cup ... in winter . Because of this, however, you will have to redraw the entire world football calendar, and it is still unclear whether the game is worth the candle.

FIFA, by the way, conducted an investigation into "Corruption Affairs" in the elections of countries - hostesses of the world and 2022 championships. It lasted within a year, headed by the chairman of the ethics committee Michael Garcia, and the investigation report has already been submitted to the FIFA arbitration chamber. During the investigation, 75 witnesses were interviewed. The final decision in the case will be made by the arbitration chamber - after he studies the report.

An interesting reaction of interested parties is also interesting.

FIFA Vice President Ali bin al-Hussein wrote on Twitter: “In the interests of complete transparency, I believe that it is very important to publish the results of the long-awaited investigation. It may be crucial for FIFA. There is a show that the organization is completely open to the public. All fans of the sport have the right to know the contents of the report that Michael Garcia prepared.”

In an interview with ITAR-TASS, Vitaly Mutko said : “I don’t think that this report needs to be published and publicly public. I think that we just need to draw conclusions. People who were interviewed for the report, assured that everything will be confidential and this will not be available. Now information has appeared that the report can be published-it is, roughly speaking, a violation of the rules of cooperation with the investigation.”

Indicative difference, isn't it?

FIFA and IOC categorically say that “sport is outside politics”, turning a blind eye to the fact that in fact in Russia sport returns to the “USSR era” in Russia

Now, however, another, so to speak, sanction is actively discussing-the ban on holding the 2018 World Cup in Russia and, in general, the exclusion of Russia from world football for political reasons . Of course, FIFA is an independent organization, no one can put pressure on it formally. And now the FIFA leadership is sharply against such emergency measures. The preparation continues, the FIFA Executive Committee has just supported the decision of Russia to maintain the concept of the World Cup. However, it cannot be ruled out that the situation, say, will sharply worsen in Ukraine and FIFA will not have a way out. Then the Garcia's Report may be a convenient reason for making any decision - just not to translate the conflict into a political plane. After all, FIFA and IOC categorically argue that “sport is outside politics”, turning a blind eye to the fact that in fact in Russia sport returns to the “era of the USSR” in Russia, where he wore a frankly ideological function.

But with this approach, FIFA and IOC are very convenient to cooperate with Russia. The money will be spent a countless amount, the handsome stadiums will be built, and corruption will be elegantly hidden under sports banners. It will even be possible to establish the journal "Questions of corruption" - readers will always be found from him.

Alexey Kuznetsov - Sports Observer Radio Liberty