FIFA corruption scandal continues to amaze. More and more dubious dealings and hidden agreements of the most powerful sports organization are coming to light. Currently, recent World Cup tournaments are being investigated due to possible irregularities.
On Thursday, a representative of the Irish Football Association, John Delaney, revealed that the Irish received about 5 million euros from FIFA in 2009 to refrain from taking legal action regarding Thierry Henry's handball in the crucial World Cup qualifying match.
One of the most controversial matches of the past decade was between Ireland and France, competing for a spot in the 2010 World Cup. After the first leg in France, the French had a 1-0 advantage.
In the match in Ireland, the Irish scored first, but Thierry Henry's handball helped the French score, equalize the result, and ultimately secure a 2-1 victory to enter the World Cup.
As a result, Ireland lost the opportunity to participate in the World Cup.
Initially, there were talks of bribery and corruption in awarding the hosting rights to Russia and Qatar, but now no tournament is safe.
Former senior FIFA official Chuck Blazer admitted in a New York court on Wednesday that he and other officials took bribes to secure their votes in awarding the hosting rights of the 2010 World Cup, which was later given to South Africa.
Blazer also mentioned that bribes were taken before the 1998 World Cup in France.
On Thursday, the Brazilian media reported that officials are also investigating the 2014 tournament held in that country.
The infamous Thierry Henry handball incident:
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