Report: FIFA paid off Ireland over 2010 World Cup snub

The Football Association of Ireland’s chief executive confirmed that FIFA paid them off in 2010 to avoid being sued over the World Cup.

Last week, a scandal broke out that shocked the sports community, but probably not that many people who are in close proximity to the situation.

Seven top FIFA officials were arrested on federal racketeering charges relating to buying and selling votes to secure South Africa’s spot as the host of the 2010 World Cup. In addition to the 2010 World Cup, the upcoming events in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022 have been brought under scrutiny and investigation as well amid numerous allegations of corruption.

Disgraced former FIFA president Sepp Blatter was re-elected to his office despite the scandal, but he stepped down after being faced with immense criticism. While Blatter was not arrested, he was reported to be at the center of the investigation, and at the very least appears to have harbored a corrupt environment within the organization.

As if the sport needed anymore negative headlines to emerge, John Delaney, the chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland made some interesting comments regarding a $5 million “loan” that the FAI received from FIFA in 2010. The organization allegedly was given the loan in an attempt by FIFA to avoid legal action regarding a controversial handball that resulted in Ireland missing out on a chance to play at that year’s World Cup.

Delaney told RTE, a media outlet in Ireland, the following:

"“It was a payment to the association to not proceed with a legal case. In there they signed a confidentiality agreement where I can’t talk about the amount involved, but it was a very good and legitimate deal for the FAI.”"

The FAI claims to have accepted the payment in exchange for not pursuing legal action, while FIFA claims that the money was a loan for a new stadium to be built in Ireland. Regardless of whether or not you believe in the legality and potentially corrupt nature of the actions, there is no arguing that the revelations could not have come at a worse time for the disgraced governing body of the sport of soccer.

Former FIFA vice president Jack Warner threatened yesterday to release an avalanche of secrets. As it turns out, the soccer world has been extremely forthcoming in the wake of the scandal, and we may not even have to wait for Warner’s revelations to expose the corrupt inner-workings of FIFA.

More from FanSided

Home/Soccer