UN says reviewing relations with scandal-hit FIFA

The United Nations has announced that it is reconsidering its partnerships with football's governing body, FIFA, in the wake of charges against its officials for an alleged bribery and corruption scheme dating back two decades.

"We are very much taking a look at the existing partnerships and how the situation evolves," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday.

"The UN has had a number of different kind of one-time partnerships with FIFA for the World Cup and other events with UN agencies," Dujarric added, cautioning that it was "early days" in the investigation into allegations of huge bribery and graft at FIFA. 

He said the tie-ups between the UN and FIFA are focused on "ensuring that the UN's message on peace, [and] on tolerance are seen and heard within these major sports events." 

Dujarric further noted that American authorities that are leading the probe into a bribery and kickback scheme at FIFA have not been in contact with the UN.

Earlier on Thursday, FIFA's embattled President Sepp Blatter said "more bad news will follow" for the scandal-stricken organization under his command.

"The next few months will not be easy for FIFA. I am sure more bad news will follow, but it is necessary to begin to restore trust," Blatter said in an address at the opening of the 65th FIFA Congress in the Swiss city of Zurich.

The 79-year-old tried to distance himself from the corruption scandal engulfing FIFA, saying he could not "monitor" every official.

Blatter termed the scandal as "unprecedented" and that the "actions of individuals bring shame and humiliation on football and demand action and change from us all."

Meanwhile, the President of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), Michel François Platini, said on Thursday that a “very large majority” of European nations will oppose Blatter at the FIFA vote on Friday.

"I asked him to resign: enough is enough, Sepp. He listened to me but he told me it is too late," Platini said, adding, “I say these things with tears in my eyes. I don't like it this way. But there are just too many scandals." 

The former French football player and manager also praised Blatter for not giving into  “pressure put on him with the aim of banning" the most prestigious soccer tournament in the world, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which is to be held in Russia. Washington is trying to “spread its jurisdiction to other countries,” Platini commented.

On Wednesday, the US Justice Department brought conspiracy and corruption charges against nine FIFA officials and five business executives. The decision was made after Swiss authorities arrested seven suspects based on the indictments.

Swiss officials are already busy investigating the circumstances surrounding the granting of the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups to Russia and Qatar, respectively. The controversial case has been a big headache for Blatter and other senior FIFA officials over the past months.

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