Introduction

Abstract

The governance of sport governing bodies (SGBs), private entities that hold a monopoly on regulating competitive sports at an international (i.e. global or continental) level, is increasingly being questioned. Lack of transparency, democracy, and effectiveness has resulted in failures of governance, including a series of high-profile corruption scandals. The 2002 Olympic Winter Games bid scandal involved allegations of bribery for Salt Lake City to win hosting rights (Mallon, 2000). Mexican Ruben Acosta allegedly got away with at least $33 million in personal commissions in the last decade of his 24-year reign as president of the International Volleyball Federation (Hoy, 2005). Most recently, a report issued by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found corruption and bribery practices at the highest levels of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) relating to the cover-up of doping abuses (WADA Independent Commission, 2015). Yet the litany of corruption-related indictments enveloping the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the world governing body of football, has unquestionably been the most visible. On 27 May 2015, US authorities indicted 14 officials on racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering charges. Seven current FIFA officials (including one FIFA vice-president) were arrested by the Swiss authorities at the request of the US Department of Justice on suspicion of receiving $150 million in bribes in return for media and marketing rights during FIFA events in North and South America (this amount was later increased to $200 million).

The sports sector has benefited from very favourable treatment by the EU in recent decades. We have respected its right to self-governance. But this autonomy must be earned. Sports federations that do not adhere to the highest ethical norms must be subject to enhanced control. And when necessary, be submitted to our various regulatory powers.

(Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport)¹