FIFA database opens legal cases to more scrutiny

ZURICH (AP) — FIFA says it will open its legal work to scrutiny by publishing detailed verdicts in most prosecutions of ethics and disciplinary cases.

Cases including bribe-taking by soccer officials, match-fixing and racial abuse by fans will have evidence and legal arguments revealed in a website.

FIFA deputy secretary general Alasdair Bell says “no one will be able to say that these decisions are secret.”

An exception will be made in cases settled by plea bargains, such as Manchester City avoiding a transfer ban this year for breaking youth transfer rules. That evidence will not be published.

Still, FIFA lawyers hope to build trust and banish “suspicion and conspiracy theories” by explaining how and why judicial decisions were reached.

The online database will include appeals involving FIFA at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and contractual disputes between clubs, players and coaches.