GENEVA: Swiss authorities announced on Tuesday the end of legal proceedings against former FIFA president Sepp Blatter over the alleged mismanagement of its Zurich museum.
The Zurich public prosecutor’s department “has closed criminal proceedings against two former FIFA officials in connection to the FIFA museum,” it said in a statement.
“The investigation did not confirm the suspicion of breach of obligations by way of unfair management,” it added.
FIFA filed a criminal complaint in December 2020 against the former head of world football’s governing body for “criminal mismanagement” over the construction of the museum, a project spearheaded by Blatter.
It claimed the museum claimed generated a bill of 500 million Swiss francs ($564 million) that instead “could and should have been channeled into the development of global football.”
Under Blatter, FIFA said it spent $140 million on refurbishing and renovating an office building and signed an “unfavorable” long-term rental agreement above market rates that will cost the organization $360 million by its date of expiration in 2045.
However, according to the Zurich public prosecutor, “it was not possible to establish wrongful behavior.”
The museum was opened in 2016 by Gianni Infantino following his following election as Blatter’s successor.
FIFA museum case against Blatter dropped
https://arab.news/mw8cb
FIFA museum case against Blatter dropped
- "The investigation did not confirm the suspicion of breach of obligations by way of unfair management," Zurich prosecutors said
- FIFA filed a criminal complaint in December 2020 against the former head of world football's governing body for "criminal mismanagement"
Jordan chase first Arab Cup title as they meet Morocco in final
- 2025 Arab Cup Final will take place at Lusail Stadium on Dec. 18, in the same venue that hosted the 2022 World Cup Final
- Morocco seek to repeat 2012 glory as Jordan reach final for first time
DOHA: In February 2024, Jordan found themselves 90 minutes away from making history. After a stellar AFC Asian Cup run that saw them eliminate Korea Republic, the Nashama reached the final of the continent’s flagship competition at Lusail Stadium. A 3-1 defeat to hosts Qatar ended that journey, but the campaign left a lasting mark on Jordanian football.
Fast forward 18 months, Jordan return to Lusail — this time for a different final, in a different competition, against a different opponent. The 2025 Arab Cup final will see Jordan face Morocco in what will be the two sides’ fourth meeting.
Their most recent encounter came at the 2021 Arab Cup, when Morocco struck three times in the first half before adding a late fourth to secure a group-stage victory.
Much has changed since then. Even without the services of Mousa Al-Taamari — currently plying his trade in France with Rennes — and the injured Yazan Al-Naimat, Jordan arrive at Lusail a completely transformed side.
Under Djamel Sellami, they secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, and are the only team at this year’s Arab Cup to boast a perfect record.
Victories against the UAE, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia have underlined Jordan’s consistency and resilience against elite regional opposition.
Morocco, however, arrive with their own strengths. With the senior national team set to begin its AFCON campaign in less than a week, the squad is largely drawn from the Botola Pro, alongside stars from the Roshn Saudi League, ADNOC Pro League and Doha Bank Stars League.
They have delivered throughout the tournament, with all of Morocco’s goals coming from players based in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Karim El-Berkaoui has been a standout, scoring the winner against Saudi Arabia in the group stage and opening the scoring in the semifinal victory over the UAE.
This Arab Cup final presents a unique storyline in Arab football. Jordan chase their first title, while Morocco seek to add to their growing pedigree in international football. With both nations backed in force throughout the tournament, the stage at Lusail Stadium could hardly be bigger.
