It’s an organization that has billions of dollars in its coffers but is still using antiquated fax machines to do business.
It was just another day at FIFA, another crisis, as the organizations head honchos were hauled up before the organization’s disciplinary committee.
Sepp Blatter, the president of world football’s governing body, and the man who wants to replace him, Michel Platini, head of UEFA, were both hit with 90-day suspensions.
There was also a 90-day ban for Jerome Valcke, the general secretary, with the ethics committee investigating allegations he participated in a scheme to profit from the sale of World Cup tickets on the black market.
All three have just 48 hours to appeal — and those appeals must be sent in to FIFA not by email — but by fax.
But while the trio are plotting their next move, who is running world football?
Hello Hayatou
Issa Hayatou is the man charged with leading FIFA while Blatter is serving his suspension by virtue of being the longest-serving vice president.
Hayatou, who hails from Cameroon, is the head of the African Football Confederation and has served on the executive committee since 1990.
In 2011, Hayatou was reprimanded by the International Olympics Committee’s ethics commission after admitting he was paid by FIFA’s former marketing agency International Sport and Leisure back in 1995.
The BBC’s Panorama program claimed Hayatou received around $20,000 from ISL. He has denied any corruption and stated that the money was a gift for his confederation.
The 69-year-old attempted to become FIFA president in 2002 but was swept aside by Blatter in the election.
He has confirmed that he has no intention to stand for the role on February 26 next year.
Bye bye Blatter?
Blatter has been in charge of FIFA since 1998 but had been poised to step down from his role in February.
The 79-year-old won a fifth consecutive presidential election on May 29 but announced that he would be laying down his mandate on June 2 following allegations of corruption.
A statement released by the office of the attorney general of Switzerland last month confirmed it was examining a contract signed by Blatter with the Caribbean Football Union and an alleged “disloyal payment” of 2 million Swiss francs (about $2 million US) to Michel Platini, the head of European football body UEFA.
Blatter’s lawyers said the Ethics Committee had “based its decision on a misunderstanding of the actions of the attorney general in Switzerland, which has opened an investigation but brought no charge against the president.”
Platini plummets?
Platini, who has run UEFA since 2007, announced that he had submitted his letters of recommendation to become FIFA president just moments before the statement from the ethics committee was published.
The Frenchman retains the support of the English Football Association which made a statement Thursday.
Platini enjoyed a successful playing career with France, winning the 1984 European Championship finals while he also achieved success in Italy with Juventus.
He has rejected the allegations made against him.
Next president?
With Blatter not standing for reelection and Platini’s future uncertain, the race for the FIFA presidency — which will conclude on February 26 — just took another twist.
Anyone hoping to stand must declare their intention to do so by October 26.
Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein, who was defeated by Blatter in May’s election, is currently favorite for the role.
South African Tokyo Sexwale, a former political prisoner and friend of the late Nelson Mandela, could also be a surprise candidate.
Sexwale has been part of FIFA’s anti-discrimination taskforce and has worked on helping foster a relationship between the football associations of Israel and Palestine.
He was also a founding member of the Makana Football Association, an unofficial football organization for apartheid-era prisoners on Robben Island.
Former Brazil star Zico and Musa Bility, chairman of the Liberian FA, have also announced their plans to stand.
