In case you really thought FIFA had turned over a new leaf with the election of new president Gianni Infantino last month, today the organization filed a 22-page claim to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York seeking damages and compensation from former executives who have “tarnished the FIFA brand.” The U.S. has thus far seized over $190 million from former soccer and marketing officials—and FIFA wants its cut of the money.
“The monies they pocketed belonged to global football and were meant for the development and promotion of the game,” Infantino said. “When FIFA recovers this money, it will be directed back to its original purpose: for the benefit and development of international football.”
This claim is the latest attempt on Infantino’s part to push the blame on individuals instead of on FIFA as an organization, which he branded a “victimized institution.” In other words, what he’s saying is: ‘We took bribes, but it’s okay because they were meant to do nice things, like building stadiums and training young players. Now we would like the money back to do those nice things. Never mind that those nice things ultimately benefit us, too.’