Fifa Gives Fraud ‘an Open Door’ with Betting, Says Council of Europe Chief

The Council of Europe’s secretary general, Alain Berset, has delivered a scathing rebuke to Fifa, accusing the organization of providing an “open door to fraud” through its handling of betting on football matches. This criticism comes as the 2026 World Cup looms large, with questions already being raised about the integrity of the tournament.

Fifa and the Council of Europe signed a memorandum of understanding in 2018 aimed at strengthening their collaboration on issues like human rights, integrity, and good governance in sport. However, Berset’s open letter suggests that progress has been woefully inadequate.

At the heart of the issue is Fifa’s deal with ADI Predictstreet, which became the official prediction market partner for the World Cup in April. This partnership allows betting on every aspect of a match, from individual player performances to referee decisions. The inherent potential for manipulation and corruption makes Berset’s assertion that this has created an “open door to fraud” difficult to dispute.

The recent scandal surrounding Folarin Balogun’s suspended ban only serves to underscore Berset’s concerns. When rules are bent under pressure, the integrity of the game is irreparably compromised. Fifa president Gianni Infantino claimed the decision was taken independently by Fifa’s disciplinary committee “based on the applicable regulations and specific facts,” but this has added to the sense of unease.

Berset has called for a new integrity framework to be built before the 2030 World Cup, which will be staged in Europe. This is long overdue, given the Council of Europe’s history of promoting human rights and good governance in sport. The organization has worked to create binding treaties, such as one aimed at keeping fans safe following the Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985, as well as subsequent legislation tackling doping and match-fixing.

However, it remains to be seen whether Berset’s words will have any tangible impact on Fifa’s behavior. The organization has consistently demonstrated a willingness to prioritize its own interests over those of its members and the sport as a whole. Over 200 of Fifa’s member associations have formally backed Infantino’s bid for re-election in March, raising serious questions about the organization’s accountability and commitment to transparency.

As the World Cup continues, attention must be paid to these issues. Berset’s intervention should serve as a catalyst for change, but it will require sustained pressure from all stakeholders involved – including fans, players, coaches, and governing bodies – to ensure that Fifa takes meaningful action to address its integrity crisis.

The integrity of the game hangs in the balance, and it is clear that the World Cup has become a symbol of corruption, doubt, and the erosion of trust. The questions raised by Berset will not be easily answered, but they must be addressed if Fifa is to salvage its reputation and ensure the long-term sustainability of the game.

The world is watching, and the clock is ticking.