I am still surprised and frustrated with FIFA and its corruption.
I am not talking on “alleged” or maybes, because...
I am not talking on “alleged” or maybes, because...
i was part of Michael Garcia´s team of investigators, and even if i was only a small part of it, i know in depth the full report and all the findings that were made about the Russian and Qatari World Cup bids. True, there were many things uncovered, and not only from the winning bids. But as soon as Mr Eckert, from the self called “FIFA ethic committee”, released his edited version, my first reaction was to take to twitter and vent my anger and frustration, against that man and Sepp Blatter for their blatant lies, for their incredible cover up, and for their attempt to discredit England´s bidding team.
It is true that all that they published, was mentioned in the report, however they made deliberate omissions, like where the report stated that FIFA were made aware by England´s 2018 organising committee, about that gala dinner, questioned by Mr Eckert as “tainting the reputation of FIFA”.
Also, and i know this because it was part of my side of the investigation, nowhere on their report or what they “made of it”, was the major incident of them all mentioned.
In FIFA´s eyes, Qatar were going to host that world cup. It was all pre arranged. The bribes and the campaign to get the votes, came from inside the FIFA authorities (Blatter and the then Vice President and Treasurer of FIFA, Julio Humberto Grondona ) They were the brains behind the whole operation.
It was their suggestion, for the Qatar committee to “negotiate” with the ones that were going to be the most unlikely to vote for them. Information like that, can only come from insiders who know, and have access to that information.
Blatter and Grondona, did not do this for free either. Their desperation for Qatar to win the bid, comes from the fact that their combined fees were U$D 12 million, which Grondona´s son (Julito), received in cash on the 17th of November 2010 (less than a month before the voting).
It was very easily done. That day, Grondona´s country Argentina, were playing a friendly against Brazil in Doha, Qatar´s capital. And his son, is the man responsible for all national teams (women, youth, senior, etc). It was on that capacity that Julito was supposedly there, but instead, he was the person who received his father´s and Blatter´s cut for their “help”
Argentina, also managed to get a “donation” from Qatar, to improve their training facilities and buy material. Which was never used for those purposes, as it was not needed, and ended up enlarging even more Grondona´s personal riches.
The connection between the Qatar committee and FIFA big wigs, came through Argentina´s former striker Gabriel Batistuta, who was part of that committee as much as Beckham was part of England´s bid. A famous celebrity that will bring simpathy. I am not saying with this that Batistuta was part of the corruption scheme, but he was the one who introduced Grondona to his bosses in Doha.
Since then Grondona Sr has died, and has taken his participation in all this to his grave, and Blatter is, for now, laughing all the way to the bank.
Sure, Garcia and Eckert have “agreed” to publish the report, but i am sure that it will be a compromised edition, to, once again save FIFA from shame.
A treatment they do not deserve, as the past 2 administrations of the association (Blatter and his predecesor Joao Havelange) have been plagued with corruption and cover ups.
I, for once, agree with the English FA, calling to boycott Qatar 2022, until a process of transparency can be found to make FIFA accountable for their actions
It is true that all that they published, was mentioned in the report, however they made deliberate omissions, like where the report stated that FIFA were made aware by England´s 2018 organising committee, about that gala dinner, questioned by Mr Eckert as “tainting the reputation of FIFA”.
Also, and i know this because it was part of my side of the investigation, nowhere on their report or what they “made of it”, was the major incident of them all mentioned.
In FIFA´s eyes, Qatar were going to host that world cup. It was all pre arranged. The bribes and the campaign to get the votes, came from inside the FIFA authorities (Blatter and the then Vice President and Treasurer of FIFA, Julio Humberto Grondona ) They were the brains behind the whole operation.
It was their suggestion, for the Qatar committee to “negotiate” with the ones that were going to be the most unlikely to vote for them. Information like that, can only come from insiders who know, and have access to that information.
Blatter and Grondona, did not do this for free either. Their desperation for Qatar to win the bid, comes from the fact that their combined fees were U$D 12 million, which Grondona´s son (Julito), received in cash on the 17th of November 2010 (less than a month before the voting).
It was very easily done. That day, Grondona´s country Argentina, were playing a friendly against Brazil in Doha, Qatar´s capital. And his son, is the man responsible for all national teams (women, youth, senior, etc). It was on that capacity that Julito was supposedly there, but instead, he was the person who received his father´s and Blatter´s cut for their “help”
Argentina, also managed to get a “donation” from Qatar, to improve their training facilities and buy material. Which was never used for those purposes, as it was not needed, and ended up enlarging even more Grondona´s personal riches.
The connection between the Qatar committee and FIFA big wigs, came through Argentina´s former striker Gabriel Batistuta, who was part of that committee as much as Beckham was part of England´s bid. A famous celebrity that will bring simpathy. I am not saying with this that Batistuta was part of the corruption scheme, but he was the one who introduced Grondona to his bosses in Doha.
Since then Grondona Sr has died, and has taken his participation in all this to his grave, and Blatter is, for now, laughing all the way to the bank.
Sure, Garcia and Eckert have “agreed” to publish the report, but i am sure that it will be a compromised edition, to, once again save FIFA from shame.
A treatment they do not deserve, as the past 2 administrations of the association (Blatter and his predecesor Joao Havelange) have been plagued with corruption and cover ups.
I, for once, agree with the English FA, calling to boycott Qatar 2022, until a process of transparency can be found to make FIFA accountable for their actions