The Fdration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is the world's foremost soccer (or futbol/football) governing body. FIFA's

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is the world's foremost soccer (or futbol/football) governing body. FIFA's purpose is to regulate and promote soccer around the world. FIFA consists of six constituent continental confederations-the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CONMEBOL), the Union des Associations Européennes de Football (UEFA), the Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and affiliated regional federations, national member associations, and sports marketing companies. \({ }^{58}\) There are 209 various level associations affiliated with FIFA and all are required to pay annual dues to both their regional associations and FIFA. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, FIFA has ties to the United States through soccer affiliates and banking and a development office begun in the United States in 2011. Power, money, and fans were FIFA. What began as a tiny operation run from a house in Switzerland has evolved into a multibillion dollar franchise with an international web of soccer organizations, marketing companies, and commercial rights. FIFA held several types of world championship events, but its men's teams' championship, the World Cup, is the most watched television event in the world. That draw brings FIFA corporate sponsorships, ad dollars, and a steady flow of countries and cities seeking the event as a boost for their countries. According to FIFA's published income statement for 2011-2014, it had total revenues of \(\$ 5.718\) billion, \(70 \%\) of which ( \(\$ 4.008\) billion) was from the sale of television and marketing rights to the 2014 World Cup. FIFA's profits during this period were \(\$ 338\) million. The television rights for 2015-2022 brought in \(\$ 1.5\) billion from the United States rights, consisting of Fox Sports (United States) and Telemundo (Spanish). FIFA funds are given as development funds to members for the promotion of soccer. Through this funds distribution, FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, was able to develop strong voting ties with countries around the world. The FIFA development program dispensed \(\$ 1.5\) billion for the 2011-2014 period. Mr. Blather is an enormously popular figure, particularly among the African member nations.............................

 Discussion Questions
1. What does the decision about Qatar teach us about the impact of bribery?
2. Explain why third parties did not raise issues, questions, or concerns about FIFA operations?
3. Why did other nations not raise questions about the Qatar vote?
4. How do you think the payments for votes began?