In 2015, this journalist, who was at the FIFA Congress in Zurich with Paul Nicholson, editor-in-chief of Inside World Football, woke up to discover one of the biggest scandals in football history: FIFAGate. Raids conducted at the luxurious Baur au Lac hotel led to the arrest of seven senior officials as part of a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into racketeering and corruption. In total, more than forty FIFA-linked executives and administrators were indicted.
The raids at Zurich’s Baur au Lac hotel marked a turning point in FIFA’s history. Seven high-ranking officials were arrested in the early hours of the investigation, exposing a system of large-scale corruption and bribery. This scandal, quickly dubbed FIFAGate, shook the institution’s credibility and led to a complete overhaul of its governance. Investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice uncovered a corruption network involving dozens of global football leaders. Indictments targeted key figures, exposing illegal practices that left a lasting mark on international football. Gianni Infantino, elected FIFA president in 2016, succeeded Sepp Blatter amid a major crisis. His election was initially seen as an opportunity to turn the page on years of scandal. Yet a decade later, his tenure has become synonymous with controversy and criticism.
His presidency has been defined by contentious decisions, fueling debates about his legacy within football’s global governing body. Once hailed as a reformer, Infantino’s image has deteriorated over the years. Criticism has focused on his handling of broadcasting rights, marketing deals, and internal reforms—often seen as opaque or unfavorable to member federations.
Fréderic Manet · 31 juillet 2026 · 2 min de lecture
