
FIFA's leadership has been on the rocks recently, with the former President and Vice President banned pending investigations into allegations of bribery.
Just four years after a disgraceful exit, the former vice president of FIFA, Jack Warner, was banned for life from involvement in soccer on Tuesday after an investigation found him guilty of repeated counts of bribery surrounding the bid for the World Cup on several occasions. According to a report from CBS News, Warner is currently fighting extradition from Trinidad and Tobago for charges in the U.S. of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering.
Warner was a long-time partner of FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who was given the option to resign in 2011 with his presumption of innocence maintained. Warner may change that, after he announced in a televised address in June that he would offer an “avalanche” of secrets that would offer insight into the FIFA scandal and elections in his home country. “I will no longer keep secrets for them who actively seek to destroy the country,” he said.
According to Warner, he is in possession of documents that would tie FIFA officials, including the President Sepp Blatter, to attempting to exert influence over the 2010 election in Trinidad and Tobago. Warner expressed his regret that he did not disclose this information earlier.
Blatter is facing a separate investigation into his tenure as FIFA president, which began in 1998. He was interrogated by Swiss officials regarding allegations that he undervalued the television rights for the World Cup to Warner. He denies any wrongdoing in the case, but is at risk of being banned by the organization.
Officials worry that the criminality recently exposed throughout FIFA leadership will leave the organization in tatters, but elections will be held this February to bring in a leader that would respect the consequences of bribery and meddling in international affairs on behalf of a soccer game.
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