The world football body FIFA cannot reform itself, claims an anti-corruption pressure group, after the Swiss authorities reported that they are starting a criminal investigation into Sepp Blatter, president of FIFA.
Cobus de Swardt, managing director of Transparency International (TI) said: “The criminal investigations at FIFA have now reached the very top, showing that the organisation is not fit for purpose. It needs independent oversight immediately. No statement from the current management about reform can be trusted. Sepp Blatter should have nothing to do with FIFA while these investigations are continuing. As we have said in the past, without a real independent reform commission there can be no confidence that FIFA can end this corruption crisis.
“The billions of football fans around the world have watched as FIFA’s name has become synonymous with corruption. It is now time for a change.
“Sepp Blatter should step down immediately.”
Zurich-based FIFA said that since May it has been cooperating with the Office of the Swiss Attorney General (OAG) and has complied with all requests for documents, data and other information.
