Week2: FIFA Corruption Scandal

FIFA corruption scandal: Leadership contender Prince Ali says scandals have 'decimated' governing body

Calls are growing for a football outsider to take control

Ian Johnston | Sunday 27 September 2015 |

FIFA has been “shaken to its very core” by scandals that have “decimated our governing body”, presidency contender Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan has said. 

His comments, prompted by the criminal investigation into a £1.3m payment to Michel Platini allegedly authorized by Sepp Blatter, seemed designed to present the Jordanian royal as an anti-corruption candidate for football’s top job.

Swiss authorities began a criminal investigation into Mr. Blatter’s suspected payment of £1.3m to Mr. Platini in 2011 for work the Frenchman is said to have carried out between 1999 and 2002. 

It was unclear why the payment was made so late, but this is likely to have been a matter for discussion when Mr. Platini was questioned as a witness. Both men have denied any wrongdoing over the payment.

Campaigners said it was time an “eminent person” from outside sport took the helm at football’s world governing body, because even executives who had not done anything wrong were tainted by their lack of action.

Prince Ali, who stood unsuccessfully against Mr. Blatter earlier this year before a US investigation into alleged £100m bribery and racketeering conspiracy involving FIFA officials prompted the Swiss official to announce that he would stand down, said: “The need for new leadership that can restore the credibility of FIFA has never been more apparent. 

“We have to accept that changing FIFA is not a matter of choice; it has already changed, shaken to its very core by the scandals that have decimated our governing body and cast a cloud over the organization.” He said Mr. Blatter’s decision to quit had started “the process of change”.

“We have an opportunity in February to carry that momentum forward. We must now come together and work to restore FIFA’s credibility and reputation by bringing about the change that is so clearly needed,” Prince Ali said. “I have heard from many member associations over the last 24 hours, and what I have heard gives me confidence that, working together, we can emerge stronger.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fifa-corruption-scandal-leadership-contender-prince-ali-says-scandals-have-decimated-governing-body-a6668421.html

Structure of the Lead:

      WHO - Prince Ali, Michel Platini and Sepp Blatter

      WHEN - 2015

      WHAT - Governing body has decimated by the corruption

      WHY - Mr. Blatter was suspected payment of £1.3m to Mr. Platini in 2011

      WHERE - Not given

      HOW - Not given

Keywords:

1. decimate(v.) 大幅縮減; 毀掉大部分

2. governing body(n.) 管理機構

3. prompt(v.) 促使; 引起

4. allegedly(adv.) 據宣稱; 據說

5. campaigner(n.) 社會運動人士

6. eminent(adj.) 卓越的; 明顯的

7. executive(adj.) 執行的; 行政的

8. racketeer(v.) 敲詐勒索

9. conspiracy(n.) 陰謀; 共謀

10. momentum(n.) 動力; 勢力