FIFA finances provoke Congress row

FIFA's financial situation has occupied the spotlight at an extraordinary Congress of world football's governing body in Seoul, the Korean Republic, today.

Election contest
The Congress was called to discuss the state of FIFA's finances 24 hours before the election contest for the FIFA presidency between the current president, Joseph S. Blatter, and the president of the African football confederation (CAF), Issa Hayatou.

'Nothing to hide'
Delegates from 204 national football associations were told that FIFA's financial position, which has been subject to widespread debate, was perfectly healthy, and that it had over CHF900m (€616m) in cash reserves. In his speech to the extraordinary Congress, Mr Blatter told the delegates: "We will show you where the money comes from and where the money goes to. We have nothing to hide, and we will hide nothing."

European anger
However, European delegates, most notably FIFA vice-president David Will, have expressed anger at the proceedings in Seoul, saying they were unable to address the Congress despite a personal intervention by Norwegian Football Association (NFF) general secretary Karen Espelund. Mr Blatter told Mr Will that he would have the chance to speak immediately before Wednesday's 53rd Ordinary FIFA Congress at which the presidential election vote will be taken.

Audit committee
Mr Will - chairman of the internal audit committee set up to look into FIFA's finances, but which was temporarily suspended by the FIFA president - said that he had wanted to express doubts about FIFA's actual financial situation, but that he was not given permission to do so. "It is unbelievable for one side to be allowed to speak, but not the other," said Mr Will. "I wanted people to know that FIFA's financial situation is in an extremely serious state."

Financial report
In another move, FIFA general secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen declined to take responsibility for FIFA's financial report, or to present it to the Congress delegates.