Transparency International, the anti-corruption watchdog, has accused world football governing body, FIFA, of a lack of seriousness in its effort to reform its battered image, since a corruption scandal broke on its leadership.
During on Monday, the first since the corruption allegations came to light, disgraced FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, announced that he intends to stay on till February 26, 2016, when election will be held to determine the next president, though he would not seek another term.
FIFA also announced a reform taskforce made up 10 affiliate members and a yet-to-be announced independent head, which The global watchdog body says is not good enough, preferring a more independent body, considering the lack of trust members of FIFA currently enjoy.
“This will not be sufficient to win back trust in FIFA,” Transparency International says, according to a press statement issued after FIFA’s meeting.
“FIFA is a rotten democracy where votes can be bought, bribes can be made and money can be laundered. It has promised reform many times before and failed dismally. They have failed fans and supporters today,” Neil Martinson, Transparency International’s Director of Communications, noted.
To clean up FIFA and win back the public’s trust, Transparency International says the proposed in-house integrity check should be independently done, FIFA should ensure complete financial transparency, presidents should be limited to two terms of four years in office, public declarations of interest, among others.