The world soccer's leading body FIFA is once again rocked by allegations of bribery and vote

trading. A number of top honchos were arrested for suspected corruption and the President Sepp
Blatter resigned amidst heavy criticisms. The image of the international football federation has
been, over the years, increasingly tarnished by legitimate charges. FIFA's actus reus includes all
kinds of accusations from corruption to money laundering to electoral manipulation. In spite of
raging controversies Blatter and his entourage remained unmoved as this sovereign body is not
answerable to anyone.
Corruption Rules
For decades, FIFA is mired in corruption. A sort of mafia whose officials manipulated the allocation
of the World Cup promoting self-interest entwined with that of huge business corporations known
as sponsors. It would also be naive to assume that such finagles are limited in the cases of Russia
and Qatar. FIFA officials are embroiled in accusations of corruption for decades. It is only being
confirmed now officially indicting top FIFA officials with fraudulence, felony, and
misappropriation.
The Brazilian strongman Joo Havelange was FIFAs president for two and a half decades. From
1974 to 1998 he ruled the body with an iron fist. A Swiss court, in 2013, accused him of receiving
payoffs amounting to millions of US$ from different financial partners. Havelange would be
remembered for introducing the process of distributing handouts to its member national
associations, since being elected. The money for member country sustenance ensured that the
officials were re-elected time and again with no member associations questioning FIFA's dark side.
Blatter remained the Brazilian's strongest accomplice and a faithful assistant for most of the period.
Havelange resigned from his post in 1998 and was exonerated.
Commercialization by FIFA
The current media criticism of FIFA is largely limited to the corruption of the FIFA leadership.
What evades our scrutiny is that FIFA is a pioneer of the commercialization of football in general,

and the World Cup in particular. FIFA is run like a mercantile association. It functions as a chamber
of commerce and is in its core a capitalist group. FIFA has most effectively milked the common
peoples' passion, sentiments and the affections for the most popular sport in the world. Between
2011-2014 it received US$ 5.718 billions, especially for television rights and advertising contracts
of which US$ 338 million remained as profit. In 2014, it declared a capital of 1.523 billion dollars.
However, it hardly pays any taxes as its headquarters is in Switzerland which is largely exempt
from tax. During the World Cup in Germany in 2006 it forced full tax exemption from the German
government.

These revenues and the collaborations with various major sponsors who are accorded exclusive
rights for advertising and marketing at the World Cups are the material basis for kickbacks, bribery
and all the corrupt machinations. And FIFA with its partners patronizes vested interests for
economic and commercial expansions. It is nice to see the World Cup being held at different parts
of the world, the game is enjoyed by more people and footballing standards pick-up in different
corners. Therefore, a World Cup in Asia or Africa is a matter of immense interest to us. However,
for FIFA, the prime motivation is the commercial interests and markets. Therefore, countries are
rewarded with the World Cup tournament - even the African and the Arabian - regardless of the fact
whether there is a footballing culture or any mass appeal.
Authoritarian Culture
After commercialization, the second essential fundament for corruption at FIFA is their opaque and
authoritarian structure. Their system of wages, allowances and bonuses is completely murky. In
2011, FIFA spent at least US$ 97 million for such payments for which it is publicly not accountable.

Moreover, FIFA's decision making is done by a small clique of bureaucrats where the mass of fans
has no control or influence. FIFA's authoritarian system clones national associations along their
lines. If they act belligerent they risk facing disprivileges, threats and sanctions, even undermining

the country's legal systems where they are based. In sum, with the total control of the sport, FIFA
has established a reactionary culture of sanctions in football. Dictatorial regimes are often courted
(think of the Argentine military junta in 1978), corrupt politicians are accommodated and product
advertising is omnipresent. However, political messages and legitimate or moral demands from
players or fans are ruthlessly punished - an utter mockery of democracy and the freedom of
expression. This prohibition culture continues in the national levels as well. In the Spanish Cup
final of 2015, FC Barcelona and the Atletico Bilbao from the Basque country were punished as their
fans whistled at the Spanish anthem. The Catalan and the Basque people are fighting for secession
and seeking to liberate themselves from the Spanish state for many decades.

Whither FIFA
Would things change with the replacement of a couple of bureaucrats at the head of FIFA? Certainly
not; these are not going to be anything more than cosmetic changes and help the discredited
association with a face-lift. Probably the new top officials are trying to give themselves a clean
image and make FIFA a little more transparent. Lot of scams and acts of patronizing might be
unearthed but that would not fundamentally change the organization. FIFA with its current structure
would continue to work like a business corporation. Indeed, it is a giant trans-national corporation
(TNC) and work for the benefit of capital as all capitalist corporations do. Nothing would change
till the time their present structures remain intact. A reform of FIFA is a far-fetched dream. For
sure, the linchpin of corruption, Sepp Blatter and his cohorts needs to be removed, but it would not
be able to solve the problems plaguing football's leading body.

This hugely authoritarian and commercial enterprise can be dismantled if it is only replaced by an
international football association which is controlled by genuine football fans and not by giant
business corporations and their agents. That task seems difficult but not impossible. The necessary
financial resources can be raised through grant by countries which can be raised by capital taxation

of the giant multinational companies. For the sake of the game, the exclusivity of the FIFA officials
and the corporations have to be ended, sooner or later.