The US Justice Department found that FIFA President Havelange and his associates accepted over $40 million in bribes from Swiss sports marketing firm ISL in exchange for broadcasting privileges during the 1980s and 1990s. By the time FIFA's ethics court ruled in 2013, Havelange was out of office and faced zero punishment.
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FIFA's exploding revenues attracted a darker element: institutionalised bribery. The organisation's partnership with Swiss sports marketing firm ISL became a vehicle for kickbacks, with the US Justice Department finding that Havelange and his circle pocketed over $40 million in exchange for broadcasting privileges. Havelange escaped punishment by simply no longer being in charge when FIFA's ethics court finally ruled in 2013. His right-hand man Sepp Blatter — described in a documentary as 'the white-haired overlord of world football' — took over and mastered the art of staying just above the fray. Running for president in 1998, Blatter promised every national federation $250,000 per year plus $400,000 for new facilities. His key backer, Qatari billionaire Mohammed bin Hammam, then allegedly handed $50,000 in cash to each African FIFA delegate at secret meetings — and Blatter won 111 votes to 80.
The US Justice Department found that FIFA President Havelange and his associates accepted over $40 million in bribes during the 1980s and 1990s in exchange for broadcasting privileges.
Running for FIFA president in 1998, Sepp Blatter promised every national soccer association $250,000 per year plus $400,000 for new facilities. His key backer, Qatari billionaire Mohammed bin Hammam, then allegedly handed $50,000 in cash to each African delegate at secret meetings — and Blatter won 111 votes to 80.
When campaigning for FIFA's presidency in 1998, Sepp Blatter promised every country's soccer association $250,000 per year for operating costs and $400,000 to build new facilities.
Qatar's top soccer official Mohammed bin Hammam allegedly gave each African FIFA delegate $50,000 in cash to secure their votes for Sepp Blatter's reelection.
Sepp Blatter served as FIFA president from 1998 to 2015, consistently winning reelection over nearly two decades.
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