Interpol
has suspended a 10-year, 20 million euros ($22.4 million) partnership with FIFA
meant to curb match-rigging and illegal gambling. The football organization
says it is "disappointed" by the decision.
Deutsche Welle, 13 June 2015
Interpol
halted its cooperation with FIFA on Friday, hinting at the corruption scandal
rocking the football world as the reason behind its decision.
The partnership,
costing FIFA 20 million euros ($22.4 million), was created to combat
match-rigging and illegal gambling.
The
decision was taken by Interpol Secretary-General Jürgen Stock, who said the
intergovernmental organization would "freeze the use of financial
contributions from FIFA" for as long the deal was suspended.
"In
light of the current context surrounding FIFA, while Interpol is still
committed to developing our 'Integrity in Sport' program, I have decided to
suspend the agreement," Stock said in a statement on Friday.
'Must share
fundamental values'
The FIFA
funds, provided to Interpol in a May 2011 deal on the 10-year program, were the
largest contribution from a private partner. However, a clause in the agreement
specified that football's governing body must be "compatible with the
principles, aims and activities of Interpol" during the collaboration.
"All
external partners, whether public or private, must share the fundamental values
and principles of the organization, as well as those of the wider law
enforcement community," Stock said.
FIFA reacts
FIFA said
on Friday that it was "disappointed" by Interpol's decision and that
it was attempting to contact Interpol to reverse the move.
"Our
cooperation over the past four years has been a key part of addressing the
transnational problem of match fixing," FIFA said in a statement.
"This successful program is unrelated to the current issues surrounding
FIFA and we believe that this unilateral decision will negatively impact the
fight against criminal activity."
Long
plagued by corruption allegations, FIFA has been seriously on the back foot
since May, when the US Department of Justice indicted 14 current or former FIFA officials on corruption-related charges. Less than a week later, just days
after securing a fifth term in office, FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced
his intention to quit, once a fresh vote for a successor has taken place.
ls/msh (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa)
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