FIFA Launches Whistleblowing Website

FIFA has launched a long-promised website that will enable whistleblowers to report corruption and match-fixing allegations in world football.

Reports of infringements of the FIFA Code of Ethics submitted to the site will go directly to the governing body’s lead ethics prosecutor, medicine Michael Garcia. Garcia has said that his staff will be able to see every complaint without any filtering from FIFA.

FIFA have said this is part of their on-going reforms, aimed to ensure that football stakeholders are “setting standards for legal and ethical behaviour”.

Officials have been advised to report “potential violations that fall under the jurisdiction of FIFA” – for example , match-fixing. FIFA  will also look at complaints that have been ignored by any continental body or national association.

The new website states: “Please help us protect our organisation against harmful behaviour. FIFA is convinced that every individual can contribute to promoting transparency and integrity through vigilance and a sense of responsibility.”

The website is available in English, French, German and Spanish. It is operated by outside agency Business Keeper.

FIFA has also set up a private hotline for football officials to report wrongdoing.