{"id":97531,"date":"2026-07-19T12:18:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T12:18:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/europe\/97531\/"},"modified":"2026-07-19T12:18:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T12:18:21","slug":"world-cup-integrity-questioned-by-european-rights-body-urging-fifa-to-help-protect-2030-tournament-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/europe\/97531\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup integrity questioned by European rights body urging FIFA to help protect 2030 tournament"},"content":{"rendered":"

GENEVA (AP) \u2014 Europe\u2019s top human rights body questioned the integrity of the World Cup and urged FIFA on Sunday to help build a stronger framework for the 2030 edition being played mostly in Spain and Portugal.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe next crisis has already begun. It has two names: money and power,\u201d the head of the 46-nation Council of Europe wrote Sunday in an open letter to its formal working partner FIFA hours before the final between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey.<\/p>\n

Swiss politician Alain Berset cited FIFA suspending a ban for United States forward Folarin Balugun while under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump and the risk of fraud in the soccer body signing a prediction market as a World Cup sponsor.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the rules bend under pressure, every result is open to doubt,\u201d Berset wrote about Balogun being freed from a mandatory one-game ban to face Belgium with a quarterfinals place at stake. Belgium won 4-1.<\/p>\n

\u201cPolitical influence has also moved onto the field,\u201d said Berset, who was twice a president of FIFA\u2019s home country Switzerland. \u201cThe sanction suspended mid-tournament came after a head of state called the president of FIFA.\u201d<\/p>\n

FIFA signed a prediction market sponsor deal in April worth a reported $150 million with ADI Predictstreet, one week after the Abu Dhabi-backed company was formally created. FIFA also has other commercial deals with the gambling industry for this World Cup.<\/p>\n

Prediction betting has been criticized as rewarding insider trading, and Berset noted that in soccer it allowed wagers to be won on \u201cmoments a single player can produce without changing the score.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is an open door to fraud,\u201d he wrote. \u201cAnd this World Cup has opened the door wider.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Council of Europe (CoE) aired its concerns publicly despite having a formal working agreement with FIFA signed by its president Gianni Infantino in 2018.<\/p>\n

The inter-governmental body, which created the European Convention on Human Rights, has a stated mission: \u201cTo promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law across Europe and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n

When signing the FIFA-CoE memorandum of understanding eight years ago, Infantino said: \u201cIt is a natural relationship, as we share common values and goals: transparency, accountability, integrity, safety in sport and respect for human rights, for children\u2019s rights.\u201d<\/p>\n

Infantino and Berset met in 2024 on the sidelines of the United Nations general assembly in New York.<\/p>\n

FIFA\u2019s disciplinary ruling on Balogun was fiercely criticized by European soccer body UEFA, which said the decision \u201ccrossed a red line\u201d in soccer\u2019s rule of law and transparency. FIFA has yet to publish documents explaining the reasoning of its disciplinary judge from the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n

\u201cA sanction suspended under pressure, within days, with no reasons given,\u201d Berset wrote, before adding other concerns about the first 48-team, 104-game World Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe authority of referees called into question. Racist abuse of players, some of it from elected officials. Betting on every pass, every card, every corner.\u201d<\/p>\n

The next men\u2019s World Cup will be staged mostly in Europe, with Morocco also co-hosting. Three South American neighbors, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, are currently scheduled to host one game each at the start of the centenary edition in June 2030 to mark the original 1930 World Cup host Uruguay.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo here is my proposal to FIFA,\u201d Berset wrote. \u201cA working dialogue that starts tonight, to build the integrity framework of the 2030 World Cup before it is played.\u201d<\/p>\n

See more of AP\u2019s World Cup coverage here<\/p>\n


\n \"France's<\/p>\n

France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) leaps to play the ball as England’s Ezri Konsa (2) and Marc Guehi (6) defend during the World Cup third-place playoff soccer match between France and England in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 18, 2026. (AP Photo\/Rebecca Blackwell)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"FILE<\/p>\n

FILE – U.S. President Donald Trump shakes, left, hands with the then-Swiss President Alain Berset during their meeting at the World Economic Forum, Friday, Jan. 26, 2018, in Davos, Switzerland. (AP Photo\/Evan Vucci, File)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"President<\/p>\n

President Donald Trump listens as FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at a reception at Trump Tower in New York, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

PALU, Indonesia (AP) \u2014 Rescuers in eastern Indonesia found two more survivors, a mother and son, on Sunday from a passenger boat that sank earlier in the week and were searching for 18 others still missing.<\/p>\n

The 46-year-old woman and her 24-year-old son were found stranded on Balaloho Island, one of the small inhabited islands in Selayar, , by fishermen, officials said.<\/p>\n

More than 200 rescuers aboard vessels were joined by Indonesian troops, police, fishermen and residents, said Andi Sultan, head of emergency response in Makassar.<\/p>\n

\u201cRescue teams also faced extremely harsh weather conditions, including waves as high as 2\u20133 meters and strong winds,\u201d Sultan said.<\/p>\n

Search and rescue team retrieved five survivors on Saturday evening, including a 7-year-old girl, who were clinging to a fish trap.<\/p>\n

At least one person was confirmed dead.<\/p>\n

The KM Nurul Salsa, which was carrying 78 passengers and crew, experienced engine failure and sank Wednesday about 43 nautical miles (79 kilometers) from the port in the Selayar Islands, in South Sulawesi Province.<\/p>\n

Passenger boats are a common form of transportation in Indonesia, an archipelago with more than 17,000 islands. Lax safety standards and problems with overcrowding frequently result in accidents.<\/p>\n

Associated Press writer Edna Tarigan in Jakarta contributed to this report.<\/p>\n


\n \"In<\/p>\n

In this photo released by Makassar Search and Rescue Office on Sunday, July 19, 2026, Indonesian Navy personnel cruises on a rubber boat during a search for victims after a passenger boat sank in the waters near Balaloho Island in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. (Makassar SAR Office via AP)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"In<\/p>\n

In this photo released by Makassar Search and Rescue Office on Sunday, July 19, 2026, rescuers scan the horizon as they search for victims after a passenger boat sank in the waters near Selayar Islands in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. (Makassar SAR Office via AP)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n


\n \"In<\/p>\n

In this photo made from video released by Makassar Search and Rescue Office on Thursday, July 16, 2026, rescuers scan the horizon as they search for victims after a passenger boat sank in the waters near Selayar Island in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. (Makassar SAR Office via AP)<\/p>\n

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