Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has publicly criticized FIFA, accusing the football governing body of enabling fraud and allowing political pressure to undermine the integrity of the 2026 World Cup.
In an open letter on Sunday, Berset highlighted concerns over money, power, and controversial decisions leading up to the tournament finale.
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Micro-Betting Partnership Raises Red Flags
Berset specifically targeted FIFA's commercial partnership with ADI Predictstreet, a prediction market platform signed in April. He warned that micro-betting options invite corruption into the sport.
"Betting has moved from the result of a match to moments a single player can produce without changing the score," Berset said.
"A bet is won by making others lose. It is an open door to fraud.
And this World Cup has opened the door wider."
The secretary general also noted that betting now covers every pass, card, and corner, raising questions about match integrity.
Political Interference in Player Suspension
Berset pointed to the sudden revocation of USA striker Folarin Balogun's suspension, which occurred after US President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
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"When the rules bend under pressure, every result is open to doubt," Berset stated.
FIFA defended its process, asserting that the disciplinary intervention followed standard protocols without external interference, based on applicable regulations and specific facts.
The dispute follows previous actions by European lawmakers.
Seventy-two European parliament members requested an investigation into Infantino's handling of the Balogun case over political neutrality concerns.
Additionally, 50 members sought an inquiry regarding a peace prize awarded to Trump.
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Despite the criticism, UEFA is unlikely to pursue formal action as over 200 member associations back Infantino's upcoming re-election bid.
