Features Editor
Nine FIFA officials and five corporate executives,
including Carolina Railhawks owner Aaron Davidson, were indicted by the U.S.
Department of Justice in a case battling the rampant corruption in the
organization early this morning.
Instances of bribery totaling over $100 million by
officials in FIFA aroused the suspicion of the Department of Justice and the
government of Switzerland, both of which are probing the organization in search
of further offenses. Other sources of controversy and claims of corruption
include the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, a nation who has
implemented forced labor by migrant workers in its preparations, and the rampant
mismanagement of funds.
The 2018 and 2022 World Cups will not have their
locations changed. The charges come just two weeks before FIFA’s presidential
election. Current FIFA president Sepp Blatter was not indicted in this scandal,
but will have to face those calling for a clean-up of the organization, a
possible source of opposition in the upcoming election.
