The allegations that Germany paid a bribe to FIFA to host the 2006 World Cup is just one more possible corruption scandal to be heaped upon world football's governing body. In what could turn out to be another crisis, Germany's Football Association is investigating a $7.61 million payment from the country's 2006 World Cup organizing committee to FIFA. The bidding committee is alleged to have set up a slush fund with the money used to secure the votes that were cast in July 2000. It appears that the loan was used to secure four votes belonging to Asian representatives on the 24-person FIFA Executive Committee. In the end, Germany edged out favorites South Africa by 12 votes to 11 to win hosting rights for the 2006 tournament. What makes the German charge particularly grievous is that it appears that Franz Beckenbauer, the German football player/coach legend who headed the bidding committee, and other high-ranking football officials were aware of the fund. The German charge comes fast on the heels of the 90-day ban slapped last week on FIFA's big three – President Joseph Blatter, Vice President Michel Platini and Secretary-General Jerome Valcke, all suspended while corruption allegations are investigated. They all deny any wrongdoing and Blatter and Platini have appealed against their bans and believe they will be exonerated. FIFA was already facing an FBI probe and an investigation by the Swiss attorney general. But now the crisis has extended to the heart of FIFA's leadership - the most powerful man in the sport and the second in command. It's raising serious questions as to just how FIFA can continue to hobble on like this. It is galling for Blatter that he was served the 90-day ban by FIFA's own ethics committee which is known to be Blatter's baby. That was a major blow, for the committee to turn against Blatter and his most high-profile deputy. Blatter's room for maneuver in particular appears to be minimal; he is the subject of a Swiss criminal investigation which includes an undervalued TV rights sale and a "disloyal payment" to Platini for work which the Frenchman claims was undertaken appropriately for FIFA between 1999 and 2002 – just before Blatter was re-elected as president. Meanwhile, FIFA has some key dates coming up. Its Executive Committee will hold an extraordinary meeting in Zurich on October 20 to discuss the corruption crisis which has engulfed it since May. The deadline for nominations for the FIFA presidential election is October 26. The 90-day ban will debar Blatter from chairing the crucial executive committee meeting set for early in December in which a decision must be made on the agenda for the extraordinary elective congress on February 26 which is due to choose his successor. Platini is still hoping to replace Blatter at the top of FIFA when Blatter steps down. However, Platini himself has a big problem because he too has been suspended, so can he run? The new leader, Platini or otherwise, needs to be somebody with integrity and above suspicion. After so many years of corruption and with so many of those at the top of the sport disgraced, banned or under investigation, a void now exists at the top of world football. Football needs a choice of strong candidates beyond reproach who have impeachable character and no baggage - even if that means looking outside of the sport. It just seems that everyone involved in the running of the game is implicated in some way or is suspected of bad behavior. The rot in FIFA leadership is so extensive that it is no longer possible to choose credible alternatives from within.
