FIFA Officials Took Millions in Broadcasting Rights Bribes

US prosecutors uncovered at least nine different schemes where FIFA officials accepted bribes from sports marketing executives seeking media and marketing rights to tournaments. These included World Cup qualifying matches in the Caribbean and Central America, the Copa America, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the Copa Libertadores. In one major deal, marketing company Datisa agreed to pay $110 million in bribes to South American soccer officials for rights to the 2015, 2019, and 2023 Copa America tournaments. The corruption was planned in the US and payments were carried out via American banks, which gave US authorities jurisdiction to prosecute. Marketing companies often made tens of millions in profits from these tournaments while funneling substantial kickbacks to FIFA officials.