US Markets
Home›US Markets›Sectors›Council of Europe chief warns FIFA deal gives an open…
Council of Europe chief warns FIFA deal gives an open door to fraud
In an open letter before the World Cup final, Alain Berset urged FIFA to build a new integrity framework before the 2030 tournament and cited concerns over betting and prior decisions involving players.
The Council of Europe secretary general, Alain Berset, sharply criticized FIFA, saying its approach to betting and integrity issues creates an “open door to fraud” ahead of the World Cup final on Sunday.
In an open letter published ahead of the match, Berset argued FIFA is facing a broader crisis tied to money and power, pointing to what he described as a suspension for a U.S. striker, Folarin Balogun, being shelved under pressure, as well as concerns about betting that extend beyond match outcomes.
Berset also said FIFA’s deal with ADI Predictstreet, named as the World Cup’s official prediction market partner in April, has raised risks because betting can now target moments in games rather than only results, with he saying a bet is won by making others lose.
He called for a new integrity framework to be built before the 2030 tournament, which is mainly being staged in Europe, and noted the Council of Europe and FIFA signed a memorandum of understanding in 2018 focused on human rights, integrity and good governance in sport.