Council of Europe Secretary General Sharply Criticizes FIFA Over Betting Ties and Political Interference
On the eve of the 2026 World Cup final, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset published an open letter severely criticizing FIFA. Berset condemned FIFA's cooperation with betting institutions, particularly its partnership with ADI Predictstreet, warning that expanding betting to in-game moments opens the door to fraud. He also criticized FIFA's suspension of a ban on player Balogun under political pressure, referencing a call from US President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Berset argued that bending rules undermines match integrity. The letter also noted racist abuse of players by elected officials. Berset called for immediate dialogue to strengthen sports integrity ahead of the 2030 World Cup. The rare public criticism from a partner organization highlights growing concerns over FIFA's governance, money, and power dynamics. Separately, 72 European Parliament members requested an investigation into Infantino's role in the Balogun incident.
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