Rabat, Morocco (TMT)- The new president of the FIFA Gianni Infantino has submitted a formal request to the US authorities asking them to make sure that 41 corrupt FIFA officials need to pay back the ‘tens of millions of dollars pocketed illegally” in the wake of the attribution of the world cup 2010 to South Africa, instead of Morocco.
The FIFA has even admitted that South Africa paid a bribe of $10m to host the 2010 World Cup.
The FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that “the convicted defendants abused the positions of trust they held at FIFA and other international football organisations and caused serious and lasting damage to FIFA, its member associations and the football community.”
“The monies they pocketed belonged to global football and were meant for the development and promotion of the game. FIFA as the world governing body of football wants that money back and we are determined to get it no matter how long it takes,” added Infantino.
“The defendants diverted this money not just from FIFA but from players, coaches and fans worldwide who benefit from the programmes that FIFA runs to develop and promote football. These dollars were meant to build football fields, not mansions and pools; to buy football kits, not jewellery and cars; and to fund youth player and coach development, not to underwrite lavish lifestyles for football and sports marketing executives. When FIFA recovers this money, it will be directed back to its original purpose: for the benefit and development of international football,” said Infantino.
The Moroccan Times.
