Trust in FIFA still not restored
More than 50 percent of fans say they have no confidence in FIFA, a recent poll by Transparency International and Forza Football shows.
Transparency International and Forza Football have asked more than 25.000 football fans from more than 50 countries what they think of FIFA. The results of an online poll reveal that 53 pct. of fans have no confidence in FIFA and only 15 pct. have more confidence in FIFA now than they did during the 2015/16 corruption scandal.
Main results of the poll include:
- 97 percent of fans are worried about corruption in football.
- One third think that FIFA is actively working against corruption in football.
- 43 percent of fans disapprove of Russia hosting the 2018 World Cup.
- Only 15 per cent of fans have more confidence in FIFA now, than they did during last year’s corruption scandal.
- Match fixing and bribery of referees are the forms of corruption that worry fans the most.
Last year Transparency International and Forza Football conducted a similar survey showing that 69 percent of fans did not have confidence in FIFA. This year’s survey thus shows that in spite of the disappointing numbers, that fewer fans are distrustful of FIFA today compared to 2016.
Gianni Infantino who was elected president of FIFA in the spring of 2016 set out to reform FIFA and restore trust among football fans following years of corruption scandals and the arrests of FIFA senior officials in 2015. Earlier this year Infantino wrote an open letter admitting that there is still work to be done.