This article will tell you about five of the biggest controversies in FIFA’s history
FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is the international governing body of association football, futsal, and beach soccer.
Despite being responsible for promoting and developing football globally, FIFA has been involved in numerous controversies throughout its history.
FIFA has faced several controversies throughout its history, ranging from corruption scandals to issues of racism, discrimination, and inequality.
These issues highlight the need for FIFA to prioritize transparency, fairness, and social responsibility in its decision-making, to ensure that football remains a sport that can be enjoyed by all.
Here are five of the biggest controversies FIFA has faced:
Corruption Scandals
One of the biggest controversies to hit FIFA is the corruption scandal that came to light in 2015. The US Department of Justice indicted 14 FIFA officials. It included high-ranking executives, on charges of racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering.
The investigation revealed that FIFA officials had accepted bribes and kickbacks in exchange for awarding contracts for broadcasting rights, hosting the World Cup, and other events. The scandal led to the resignation of FIFA president Sepp Blatter and several other officials.
Qatar World Cup 2022
The decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar has been a highly controversial one. Qatar has been accused of human rights violations, including the mistreatment of migrant workers who are building the infrastructure for the tournament.
There have also been concerns over the extreme heat in Qatar during the summer months when the tournament is traditionally held. The decision to award the tournament to Qatar has been criticized for alleged bribery and corruption. Several FIFA officials were also implicated in the scandal.
Video Assistant Referee (VAR)
The introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in football has been a controversial issue. The system is intended to reduce errors by referees and ensure fair play, but many argue that it has slowed down the game and created confusion.
VAR has been criticized for its inconsistent application, with some decisions still open to interpretation. Some suggest that it favors larger and more influential teams.
Racism and Discrimination
FIFA has been criticized for not doing enough to combat racism and discrimination in football. Despite various campaigns and initiatives, racist incidents continue to occur at matches. Because of racism, the players and fans are subjected to abuse based on their race, ethnicity, or religion.
FIFA has been accused of being slow to respond to incidents of racism and discrimination, and of not imposing harsh enough penalties on those responsible.
Women’s Football
FIFA has been criticized for not doing enough to promote and develop women’s football. Despite the growing popularity of women’s football, female players are often paid significantly less than their male counterparts and have fewer opportunities to compete at the highest level.
There have also been concerns over the treatment of female players, with allegations of sexism and discrimination in the sport.
