FIFA Movie United Passions Bombs at Box Office, Makes Paltry $ 607 in Opening Weekend

'United Passions', a movie sponsored by FIFA performed miserably in the opening weekend at the box office, making only $ 607 (US). The movie cost $ 30 million and was financed by football's world governing body to showcase its achievements over  FIFA's 111-year history.

British actor Tim Roth starred as Sepp Blatter, who recently resigned despite winning his fifth term as FIFA president. FIFA is engulfed by allegations of massive corruption.

Critics around the world trashed the movie and New York Times said it was one of the most unwatchable films in recent memory. The movie also cast New Zealand's Sam Neil as Blatter's predecessor. Gerard Depardieu featured as Jules Rimet, the third president of FIFA. (FIFA Needs Painful Reforms: Bach)

The movie was also slammed for showing more boardroom meetings than on-field football action while the Daily Mirror felt "any opportunity to have a dig at the English is exploited to its fullest." ('Blatter's Departure Will Not Change FIFA')

A scene from the movie has Blatter telling his colleagues that "the slightest breach of ethics will be severely punished". Soon after the scandal broke out, there were strong calls for the veteran 79-year-old to step down. But Blatter remained adamant and contested the elections, which he won easily. (Trinidad Academy Sign of Warner's Shady Deals)

However, four days after the Zurich Congress voted him to power, the Swiss decided to resign from his post.

FIFA has been embroiled in a corruption scandal since a few of its top executives were arrested in Zurich and extradited to the United States of America. The raids were conducted at the behest of the U.S. State Department. (Mourinho Convinced He Was Victim of FIFA Corruption)

Swiss judicial authorities are already probing the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar as part of a far-reaching corruption scandal that has also raised questions about the 2010 event in South Africa.

Around 14 current or former FIFA officials and sports marketing executives are also accused by US prosecutors of taking part in a sweeping kickbacks scheme going back 20 years involving a total of $150 million in bribes.