Corruption watchdog urges FIFA to reform
FIFA needs to reform its "opaque" governing structure to rebuild trust among fans after two corruption scandals, anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International recommended on Tuesday.
"Throughout its history, the workings of football's governing body have been opaque," TI said in a 12-page report detailing its recommendations.
"People across the world, in all walks of life, are calling for an end to 'business as usual' ... If FIFA wants to rebuild trust it must embrace transparency," it said.
FIFA has been broiled in two separate bribery scandals in the past year, for the selection of the World Cup host countries in December 2010 and the election of its president this June.
Among its many recommendations TI said that FIFA would need to review its code of conduct, for example by ensuring officials disclose their potential conflicts of interest and developing guidelines on gift-giving.
"With this code, FIFA should make a statement that it intends to embody high standards of integrity and enforce a zero-tolerance approach to bribery of any nature," it said.
TI also recommended the federation of national football associations reform its governance, including the way officials are appointed, instituting term limits and increasing transparency in its financial transactions and the way key decisions are made.
"A new era for FIFA requires a review of its internal governance and the introduction of transparency and accountability into its decision-making processes and operations," TI said.
"Football's governing body must be an example of the fair play that it promotes on the pitch," it said.
In a statement, FIFA said it "welcomed" the recommendations, and that it was "committed to the task of continuing to improve its organisation .... and acting with zero tolerance against any form of corruption" and that many of the recommendations were already in place".
TI, however, was less sanguine.
Because of the current structure of the organisation, it is "unlikely that change will come either from within the organisation or from the grassroots of the football organisations", TI said.
"This challenge can only be undertaken if FIFA's leadership is clearly committed to reform," it concluded.
Argentina, Brazil, set for New Jersey friendly
South American giants Argentina and Brazil will face off in an international friendly in New Jersey, United States, on June 9, the Argentine Football Federation announced on Tuesday.
The high profile fixture is being staged in the 80,000-seater MetLife Stadium, more commonly used for games between New York's American football sides the Giants and the Jets.
A week earlier, Argentina confront Ecuador in the fifth round of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup hosted by Brazil.
Argentina have another friendly arranged for November 14 against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.
Under new coach Alejandro Sabella, Argentina got off to a mediocre start to their World Cup qualifiers.
They suffered an embarrassing loss to Venezuela but their recent win over Colombia put them on a more even keel and they are now level on points with regional group leaders Uruguay - albeit having played a game more - and Venezuela.
