Interpol Suspends 20 Million-Euro Deal With FIFA After Scandal
Interpol boss Juergen Stock said he was suspending the deal set up in May 2011 to create a 10-year "Integrity in Sport" programme.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: June 12, 2015 06:29 pm IST
International police body Interpol on Friday announced it was suspending a 10-year partnership deal with FIFA worth 20 million euros ($22 mn) following a corruption probe into football's world governing body.
Interpol boss Juergen Stock said he was suspending the deal set up in May 2011 to create a 10-year "Integrity in Sport" programme. (Russia, Qatar may lose World Cups if 'bribery found')
"In light of the current context surrounding FIFA, while Interpol is still committed to developing our Integrity in Sport programme, I have decided to suspend the agreement," said Stock in a statement. (Corruption in FIFA? Its auditors saw none)
"All external partners, whether public or private, must share the fundamental values and principles of the organisation, as well as those of the wider law enforcement community," added Stock. (FIFA scandal: Australia ready to host if Qatar is stripped of 2022 World Cup)
FIFA has been in the grip of a crisis since the end of May when 14 current or former officials and sports marketing executives were charged following a wave of arrests in Zurich as part of a US investigation into alleged corruption. (Ex-FIFA president Jack Warner siphoned off South Africa's 'legacy' millions: BBC)
The scandal has also cast doubt on the fairness of the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to be staged in Russia and Qatar respectively. (Sepp Blatter under investigation in US: Reports)
Interpol noted that the agreement with FIFA included a clause stating that "the funding party declares ... that its activities are compatible with the principles, aims and activities of Interpol."