PD Editorial: The corrupt underside of World Cup soccer

We thought international competition had hit bottom in 1998 when members of the International Olympic Committee were accused of taking bribes from Salt Lake officials trying to bring the winter games to Utah.

That sordid affair, which involved allegations of bribery involving direct payments, land purchase agreements and even tuition assistance, resulted in the expulsion of 10 members of the International Olympic Committee and the sanctioning of 10 others.

But apparently that was just a warm-up scandal.

The blockbuster came Wednesday with the announcement that a half-dozen of the most prominent figures in the soccer world would face extradition to the United States to face charges of corruption related to the awarding of World Cup soccer tournaments.

The charges are related to two separate investigations, one by the U.S. and one by Switzerland, concerning key figures in the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, the governing body of soccer. The 47-count indictment unsealed in Brooklyn, N.Y. Wednesday reads like a mafia novel, involving bribery, kickbacks, tax evasion, secret meetings and suitcases full of cash.

In all, 14 defendants were charged with racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies related to a “24-year scheme to enrich themselves” through global soccer competition. According to the Justice Department, four defendants and two corporate defendants had already pleaded guilty as part of the indictment.

Federal authorities pledged that there would be more arrests to come.

Those charged so far include Jack Warner, a former FIFA vice president. According to the indictment, South Africa, in its bid to host the 2010 World Cup, paid $10 million in bribes for votes from Jack Warner and two other IOC committee members.

The indictment also involved sports-marketing executives from the United States and South America who are accused of “paying more than $150 million in bribes and kickbacks in exchange for media deals associated with major soccer tournaments.”

The details of the charges are shocking but not entirely surprising as the competition for hosting World Cup tournaments as well as the Olympics has long been plagued with accusations of corruption.

But these latest charges confirm the worst of the world’s suspicions, that the awarding of World Cup tournaments has never been what’s in the best interests of the athletes, competition and the sport itself. It’s been about what is in the best interests of certain voting members of FIFA and other governing bodies and who could write the fattest check.

As Attorney General Loretta Lynch said Wednesday, the indictment paints a picture of corruption that is “rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted.” And now, at least, out from under a rock.