Europe’s leading human rights body has cast doubt on the integrity of the World Cup, urging FIFA to establish a stronger governance framework ahead of the 2030 edition in Spain and Portugal. In a sharply worded open letter released just hours before the final between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Alain Berset, head of the 46‑nation Council of Europe, warned: ‘The next crisis has already begun. It has two names: money and power.’
Berset, a Swiss politician and twice president of FIFA’s home country, criticized FIFA’s controversial suspension of a ban on U.S. forward Folarin Balogun—a move that allowed him to play in the quarter‑final against Belgium following pressure from President Donald Trump. ‘When the rules bend under pressure, every result is open to doubt,’ he wrote, adding that political influence had intruded onto the pitch itself: ‘The sanction suspended mid‑tournament came after a head of state called the president of FIFA
European football body UEFA also fiercely criticised the ruling, stating it “crossed a red line” in the sport’s rule of law, with FIFA yet to publish its reasoning.
Further concerns were raised regarding FIFA’s $150 million sponsorship deal with ADI Predictstreet, a prediction market company formed just one week before the agreement was signed in April. FIFA also holds other commercial deals with the gambling industry for this World Cup.
Mr Berset criticised prediction betting as rewarding insider trading, noting it allows wagers on “moments a single player can produce without changing the score.” He concluded: “It is an open door to fraud. And this World Cup has opened the door wider. FIFA’s disciplinary ruling on Balogun was also fiercely criticized by European soccer body UEFA, which said the decision ‘crossed a red line’ in soccer’s rule of law and transparency (AP Photo/Manu Fernández)
In 2018, FIFA President Gianni Infantino signed a formal working agreement, emphasising shared values such as transparency, accountability, integrity, safety in sports, and respect for human rights. Despite this, the Council of Europe expressed its concerns publicly. This intergovernmental body, which established the European Convention on Human Rights, aims to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law throughout Europe and beyond.
Mr. Berset highlighted several issues, including the questioning of referees’ authority, incidents of racist abuse directed at players (including some from elected officials), and the increasing prevalence of betting on “every pass, every card, every corner” during the upcoming 48-team, 104-game World Cup.
The 2030 men’s World Cup will primarily take place in Europe, with Morocco as a co-host, and one match each in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay to commemorate the centenary of the original 1930 tournament. In conclusion, Mr. Berset proposed initiating a working dialogue immediately to establish an integrity framework for the 2030 World Cup before the tournament begins.
credit: Independent.co.uk
