How Has FIFA Graft Affected China’s Football Dream?

Tremendous controversy has swept through the international sports community as nine FIFA officials and four executives of sports management companies were arrested in late May 2015 on the suspicion of receiving bribes, racketeering and wire fraud. Federation International Football Association (FIFA) is the top governing body that organizes major tournaments of the world’s most popular sport. To much surprise, the FIFA President Sepp Blatter was not among those accused despite the severe doubts of his innocence. Although he announced resignation from the presidency in early June, a source close to Blatter told the BBC he might go back on his promise. Furthermore, Russia, Qatar and South Afri­ca have all been subjected to investigations conducted by the Swiss and U.S. authorities. There is speculation that the first two could even face disqualification from respectively hosting the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments. In the meanwhile, South Africa is now being accused of having secured its role as host to the 2010 World Cup by issuing a $10m bribe to FIFA. In contrast, China seemingly stands a better chance in furthering its own football development. In particular, the FIFA scandal is conducive to China’s pursuit of a football revival in at least two respects. Firstly, the revelations of FIFA’s corruption scandal could also serve as a warning to China, stressing the importance […]