The U.S. Department of Justice said last year that FIFA would be compensated $201 million for losses suffered from global corruption schemes by soccer’s governing officials. Until Thursday, $32.3 million had been remitted.
The DOJ announced that an additional $92 million would be distributed to the victims.
Many of the officials involved in the schemes, which were largely related to bribes for media and marketing rights, were ordered to forfeit the assets they obtained.
More than 50 defendants from more than 20 different countries have faced charges since the corruption probe was unveiled in 2015. Four corporate entities have pleaded guilty, with other businesses acknowledging their roles.
- Reynaldo Vasquez, former president of El Salvador’s soccer federation, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, and was sentenced to eight years in prison. FIFA banned him for life and fined him $522,000.
- Juan Angel Napout, former president of CONMEBOL, was sentenced to nine years in prison.
- Jose Maria Marin, former head of the Brazilian Football Federation, was sentenced to four.
Where the Money Goes
“Various constituent national soccer federations” are set to benefit from the funds, according to the DOJ, including CONCACAF, which oversees North and Central American soccer, and CONMEBOL, which governs South American soccer.
Under the supervision of the FIFA Foundation, a World Football Remission Fund was created with the money. It focuses on women’s and girls’ soccer, education, safeguarding, youth programs, community outreach, and humanitarian needs.
