Scala handed crucial role in trying to rescue FIFA from scandal report chaos
ZURICH: FIFA is to further review the 42-page report written by prosecutor Michael Garcia into the bidding process for the World Cups in 2018 and 2022 – and Swiss businessman Domenico Scala will become a key figure.
Garcia and the head of FIFA’s ethics committee adjudicatory chamber, Hans-Joachim Eckert, had their scheduled meeting on Thursday which was the first time they had met to discuss the fallout of the report released last week.
Their subsequent joint statement revealed a crucial central role for Scala who is chairman of the FIFA audit and compliance committee.
A joint statement released by Garcia and Eckert confirmed that the report will be handed over to Scala to “fulfil his fiduciary and statutory duties and to determine how much of that information should be made available to the FIFA Executive Committee”.
The statement read: “The chairman of the adjudicatory chamber and the chairman of the investigatory chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee met today to discuss the recent developments and the current situation regarding the inquiry on the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups”
“Both chairmen agreed that it is of major importance that the FIFA Executive Committee has the information necessary to evaluate which steps are required based on the work done by the FIFA Ethics Committee.”
Through the statement Garcia and Eckert also confirmed that cases had been opened against individuals.
“The investigatory chamber has already opened a number of formal cases against individuals as a result of that inquiry.
“Neither the recent referral of the reports to the Swiss Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office nor the request to the chairman of the FIFA Audit and Compliance Committee will interfere with those ongoing proceedings.”
“Both chairmen stressed the vital role of the FIFA Ethics Committee in ensuring the highest standards of ethics and governance at FIFA. Irrespective of the independence of the two chambers, the two chairmen regard good communication as key to fulfilling that role.”
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