The Unfolding Saga of the FIFA Corruption Scandal: A Timeline of Key Events

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The FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) corruption scandal emerged as one of the most significant scandals in the history of sports, leaving an indelible mark on the world of football and beyond. The saga unfolded over several years and involved a web of illicit activities, implicating various high-ranking FIFA officials and other individuals.

2010:

May: The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) opens a preliminary investigation into FIFA's bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
November: FIFA awards the hosting rights for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, respectively.

2011:

April: The British newspaper The Sunday Times publishes allegations of corruption and bribery in the FIFA World Cup bidding process.

2013:

June: American and Swiss authorities reportedly launch a joint criminal investigation into FIFA.

2014:

March: FIFA's executive committee votes to award the 2026 World Cup to the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
May: The DoJ indicts nine FIFA officials and five marketing executives on charges of racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering.
June: Swiss authorities arrest seven high-ranking FIFA officials in a raid on a Zurich hotel.
July: FIFA President Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini are suspended from football for eight years.
December: Blatter resigns as FIFA President.

2015:

January: Former FIFA Vice President Jeffrey Webb agrees to plead guilty to bribery and racketeering charges.
February: FIFA's Ethics Committee suspends FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke for 12 years.
May: The DoJ indicts 16 more FIFA officials on corruption charges.
August: The DoJ reaches a plea agreement with the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) for its role in the scandal.
November: The Ethics Committee bans Blatter and Platini from football for life.

2016:

June: The DoJ indicts two former FIFA Vice Presidents on charges of bribery and racketeering.
October: Swiss authorities conclude their investigation into FIFA's bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

2017:

February: The Ethics Committee lifts the lifetime ban on Michel Platini.
May: Blatter and Platini are cleared of criminal charges by a Swiss court.

2019:

February: The DoJ reaches a plea agreement with CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, for its involvement in the scandal.
March: The Swiss Federal Court upholds the lifetime ban on Sepp Blatter from football.

2020:

December: FIFA bans former FIFA official Chuck Blazer for life for his role in the scandal.

Key Individuals Involved:

Sepp Blatter: Former FIFA President, banned from football for life.
Michel Platini: Former UEFA President, initially suspended for eight years, later cleared of criminal charges.
Jérôme Valcke: Former FIFA Secretary General, suspended for 12 years.
Jeffrey Webb: Former FIFA Vice President, pleaded guilty to bribery and racketeering charges.
Jack Warner: Former FIFA Vice President, indicted on corruption charges.

Consequences of the Scandal:

The resignation of Sepp Blatter as FIFA President.
The suspension or banning of numerous FIFA officials.
The indictment and prosecution of individuals and organizations involved in the corruption scheme.
Damage to FIFA's reputation and credibility.
Reforms within FIFA aimed at improving transparency and accountability.

The FIFA corruption scandal exposed systemic corruption within the world's governing body for football. The investigations and legal proceedings uncovered a web of illicit activities involving bribery, money laundering, and racketeering. The scandal led to the downfall of high-ranking FIFA officials, the implementation of reforms, and a lingering legacy of mistrust within the sport.