The exploitation was uncovered by the DOJ and law enforcement agencies in Sweden. US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said the corruption was “rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted” when US and Swedish authorities raided FIFA a year ago this week at its headquarters in Zurich.<\/p>\n
Blatter, once the most powerful man in sport, perhaps allowed his ego to get in his way.<\/p>\n
\nDuring his appeal he said, “The CAS panel will understand that the payment made to Platini was really a debt that we owed him. My name wouldn’t be Sepp Blatter if I didn’t have faith, if I wasn’t optimistic.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nMoving Forward<\/b><\/h2>\n
FIFA has taken drastic steps to repair its brand.<\/p>\n
The association has changed its bidding process to better vet host cities and eliminate inducement. The DOJ believes some $200 million in bribes were exchanged over the last two decades. FIFA also imposed term limits on presidents and launched a reform committee.<\/p>\n
Blatter’s control, however, has lasting consequences.<\/p>\n
Russia will host the 2018 World Cup, and then the highly controversial 2022 World Cup in Qatar follows. Qatar has been accused of violating human rights, and construction workers are reportedly working in extremely hot conditions without adequate food and water supplies.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of migrant worker deaths have been reported.<\/p>\n
The US and South Korea both bid for the chance to host the 2020 World Cup, but Blatter’s FIFA surprisingly, or in hindsight perhaps not so surprisingly, went with Qatar.<\/p>\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sepp Blatter is banned from engaging in any organized soccer-related activities for the next six years, and following the upholding of the ruling this week by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, the former longtime FIFA boss is finally ready to accept the punishment. The verdict is welcomed news to many soccer […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":42568,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,16],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Former FIFA Boss Sepp Blatter Loses Appeal, Six-Year Ban Stands<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n