During the half-hour broadcast, investigative reporter Andrew Jennings investigated allegations of corruption by world football’s governing body, FIFA.
As part of the scheme, he claimed three members of FIFA’s executive committee were bribed by FIFA’s marketing partner International Sports & Leisure.
The trio – Nicolas Leoz, Issa Hayatou and Ricardo Teixeira – are reportedly linked to a sports marketing company that handles broadcast rights and takes money from them.
Jennings further claimed that a fourth current official was involved in the ticket promotion. FIFA president Sepp Blatter failed to conduct a proper investigation into both cases. It also places some demands on the bidding process to host the FIFA World Cup.
The documentary aired three days before the results of the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup bids were announced. That led some to fear it could ruin England’s chances of hosting an earlier tournament, with some accusing the BBC of being unpatriotic. However, the BBC defended the claims.
Russia ultimately won the bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, while Qatar claimed victory in the 2022 World Cup. After the results were announced, questions were raised by some key figures as to whether the documentary was a key factor in England’s loss.
FIFA vice-president Hayatou has denied all allegations of involvement in the scheme and claimed the money was actually paid to the Confederation of African Football (CAF). He threatened to sue the BBC for producing the documentary. The show received 52 viewer complaints.
