Details have emerged regarding the firing of FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, and those details make him look like simply terrible.
To show just high arrogance can rise, Valcke reportedly tried to get a full pay-off from within FIFA before leaving the organization. Faced with a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” in regards to more wrongdoing, FIFA chose to let him skate.
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Now it’ll be interested to see how quickly Valcke sells out his former mates for safety. Our guess? Immediately, if not already.
From the BBC:Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke unsuccessfully tried to secure a pay-off of several million pounds before his suspension. He was put on leave on Thursday after allegations he was implicated in a scheme to sell World Cup tickets.
It is understood Valcke, who has held the position since 2007, wanted to be paid out in full for the remainder of his deal. A senior Fifa official described Valcke’s demands as “ludicrous”. His predecessor, Urs Linsi, was reportedly given a pay-off worth £3.6m.
While we’re sure he’ll stay in the public eye, at least FIFA can offer a temporary “good riddance” to Valcke, who of course denies any wrongdoing. How much of this pay-off demand was simply in the name of contract fulfillment, rather than a hush money-style threat?
That, in turn, leads us to another question: Could FIFA be using this situation to make Valcke another scapegoat? Valcke is among the most-oft-accused members when it comes to corruption, and we wouldn’t put it past Blatter to try something like that.
Additionally, it’s important to point out that this news comes days after Loretta Lynch and her Swiss counterpart said they do anticipate more charges against individuals and organizations when it comes to the FIFA scandal.
