Sacramento Soccer Fans Relieved By FIFA Scandal Indictments
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — The indictment of several officials from soccer's governing body was the talk of the Sacramento Republic's match on Wednesday.
Just as the United States begins embracing the most popular sport in the world, its sordid side is in the spotlight. Surprise arrests made during a raid at a five-star Swiss hotel have made headlines worldwide.
Longtime Sacramento soccer fan Gary Messing has been to seven World Cups. He says the arrests are good for the country's emerging soccer market, as well as Sacramento.
"A bad day would be when bribes are being exchanged, returned for votes, for where to hold the World Cup and who to elect president of FIFA," he said. "And we've had a lot of those."
Among the executives indicted, one is accused of taking a $10 million bribe to vote in favor of South Africa's World Cup bid.