"Transparency is part of the DNA of the new FIFA," recited Gianni Infantino on June 22. He has internalized it, he could repeat it even while sleeping (he is not the only one). He finished his message with a reflection: "A good lawyer is sometimes as important as a good forward to win a match." He will need one to enter the courts, score goals with headers, free kicks, and convince judges and juries of his innocence: the Federal Prosecutor's Office of Switzerland opened a criminal case against him after discovering several private meetings with Michael Lauber, the country's Attorney General, a supreme authority.
-
Jorge Barraza: Europe in just four installments
The immaculate robe of Swiss justice was stained by football. Harassed by his supervisors, Lauber, in charge of the FIFA scandal since 2014, had to resign from his position and also faces a criminal investigation. An own goal. The reason...? Having secretly met with Infantino at least three times and not reporting their conversations. "I don't remember what we talked about," Lauber said casually, which angered the Supervisory Authority of the Attorney General's Office. The Attorney General's resignation due to inappropriate behavior is an unprecedented, intolerable, and serious blow to the Swiss legal system. It tarnishes the reputation of the country and the entire judicial pyramid. In March, the Federal Administrative Court had reduced Lauber's salary by 8% for "numerous irregularities in his work." And for "lying" and "obstructing" the disciplinary proceedings against him.
-
Swiss justice initiates investigation against FIFA President Gianni Infantino
Stefan Keller, the special prosecutor assigned to the case, warned that he found "evidence of criminal conduct," so he opted to initiate criminal proceedings and assess whether there was "abuse of public office, violation of official secrecy, favoritism, and incitement to these acts." The chief prosecutor of Valais, Rinaldo Arnold, a friend of Infantino and facilitator of the meetings, also faces charges. Why did Gianni secretly meet with the forgetful prosecutor...?
-
Jorge Barraza: Arsenal and the English Cup, eternal romance
If it had happened in a country of "third world suburbs," the information would have dissipated quickly. But it happened in Switzerland, home of FIFA and Infantino. It's harder to fix.
Infantino reminded us of Juan, a Chilean friend who was involved in extramarital adventures; his wife caught him and made a scandal; Juan, a rogue, got angry and replied, "What, can't I have my girlfriend...?" The FIFA president reacted similarly, deflecting: "What's wrong with meeting with a prosecutor...? It's not a violation of anything. FIFA wants to cooperate." The thing is, if the prosecutor wants to talk to Infantino while he or FIFA are part of an investigation, he must summon him to his office and make the content of the statements official. And if Infantino is providing information, he must prove his status as a witness. Not meeting in bars or restaurants with the person responsible for formulating the accusation.
Joseph Blatter took the opportunity to throw some shovels of manure at him: "For me, the situation is clear. The FIFA Ethics Committee must open a case against Mr. Infantino and suspend him." Because that's what they did with him and with Platini in 2015: "For 90 days, the individuals in question are prohibited from participating in all football activities at the national and international level," the committee ruled. The thing is, the ethics committee, which FIFA claims is "independent," is not really independent. Its members are chosen - or accepted - by Infantino himself. María Claudia Rojas, a lawyer from Bogotá, presides over the committee's investigatory body. She should conduct a process against Infantino and submit it to the decision-making body, which, if applicable, should sanction him. Will they do it...? Will he resign whom they appointed...?
-
Josep Blatter, former FIFA President, calls for suspension of Gianni Infantino
When the ethics committee sought to be truly sovereign, in 2012, FIFA appointed American lawyer Michael García as head of the investigatory chamber of its ethics committee. García, an expert interrogator with experience in the FBI and an impeccable record, questioned Grondona harshly, who was then FIFA vice president. He started with simple questions but raised the tone until he exasperated the big boss, who got up and left, abruptly ending the investigation. "Who are you...? FIFA pays your salary, and FIFA is me, I won't answer you anymore, bye...". García resigned immediately, realizing that it made no sense to continue there. Grondona had shown him how independent his role was.
High-ranking football officials leave their homes every morning to sell with a briefcase. They offer honesty, clear accounts, dreams, little dreams... They proclaim transparency into every microphone they find. And they collect it, but they don't deliver it.
Upon his arrival at the summit, Infantino promised total procedural cleanliness. Many of us believed him. This represents a huge disappointment. Perhaps it is time for footballers to mass invade power. One of them should preside over FIFA. The fans do not trust the white collars, they distrust their speeches. They hear the words transparency, audit, ethics, fair play, and perceive them as empty. Perhaps it is time for those who star in the field, to run the offices. It's true, Platini turned out to be a disappointment, but the public still trusts them. Maybe Valdano, Guardiola, Rummenigge, Zidane, Diego Forlan, Mario Yepes, Verón himself, who had a brilliant presidency at Estudiantes, someone, or all together, to represent the fans; with the ability and personality to put a stop to corruption, to suspicion. Not allowing suited officials to offer them privileged retirements at FIFA in exchange for whitewashing their image. Let a council of players lead world football, guaranteeing their sporting glory, their passion for the game, their word in front of all their colleagues to clean the beautiful but currently greasy face of our sport. (O)