LETTER TO THE EDITOR: FIFA needs outsiders

OPINION:

In spite of the recent scandal that has rocked the soccer world, Sepp Blatter, the embattled president of FIFA, says that soccer must continue to police itself (“FIFA officials indicted on corruption charges,” Web, May 27). Mr. Blatter seems to be severely out-of-touch with reality.

There are allegations of widespread corruption and bribery against multiple officials, including some of FIFA’s top lieutenants, who have been involved in the bidding for World Cups, commercial deals associated with the Cups and World Cup qualifying matches. This has resulted numerous criminal indictments and 11 individuals being suspended from soccer. Clearly FIFA is incapable or unwilling to properly govern itself.

It is unbelievable that Mr. Blatter was not aware of FIFA’s serious problems because top FIFA executives surrounding him are all being indicted. He is either the most ignorant president ever to have held the title or was involved in the scandalous activities himself. As a result, outsiders need to come in to govern it in order to clean up soccer and restore the integrity and public confidence that will give soccer back its good name.

KENNETH L. ZIMMERMAN

Huntington Beach, Calif.