International Shia News Agency

Fifa: Michel Platini breaks ranks over report into alleged corruption

SHAFAQNA – Uefa president Michel Platini will not oppose calls to disclose investigator Michael Garcia’s report into alleged World Cup corruption.

Fifa has previously said the findings of Garcia’s investigation into the bidding processes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will not be made public.

American lawyer Garcia has called for his report to be published.

Platini is the latest senior Fifa figure to break ranks after Garcia called for greater transparency.

Garcia’s report will be discussed at at Fifa’s executive committee meeting on Friday.

Garcia said: “I believe it is now necessary for the Fifa executive committee to authorise the appropriate publication of the report.”

The 2018 World Cup was awarded to Russia with Qatar selected for 2022.

No ruling until spring 2015 – Hans-Joachim Eckert

Garcia, the chairman of the investigatory chamber of Fifa’s ethics committee, filed his report with the governing body this month.

Fifa’s executive committee started a two-day meeting on Thursday, with the debate over Garcia’s report set to be high on the agenda.

Fifa vice-presidents Jeffrey Webb, Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein of Jordan and Jim Boyce have also called for the key findings of the report to be made public.

And Fifa presidential candidate Jerome Champagne tweeted his agreement: “It is essential to protect the sanctity of the World Cup as a celebration of football and of our universality. It will contribute to the efforts to reconcile FIFA with the football lovers around the globe.”

Garcia added: “Publication would be consistent with statements made by a number of executive committee members.”

Speaking on Tuesday, Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein, who was not on the executive committee for the 2018 and 2022 bids, said: “The entire football family and those who follow the game worldwide have a full right to know the contents of the report in the spirit of complete openness.

“It is important that the much anticipated report on the ethics investigation that is crucial to ensuring good governance at Fifa is fully disclosed to the Fifa executive committee.

“The main findings should also be fully disclosed to the general public.”

Qatar win right to host 2022 World Cup

The growing clamour for publication follows Conservative MP Damian Collins’ request to the Serious Fraud Office for a copy of the report because it could lead to criminal charges.

Garcia interviewed more than 75 witnesses in the course of his investigation, and has recommended further action against individuals and made proposals for future bidding processes.

Fifa’s ethics chief Hans-Joachim Eckert, who previously told BBC Sport the report would“never” be made public, said a decision on the findings of Garcia’s report would not be likely until next spring.

The Qatar 2022 bid committee is facing claims of corruption after the Sunday Times alleged in June that former Fifa vice-president Mohamed bin Hammam paid £3m to football officials around the world in return for support for the bid.

source : http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29337509

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