Inside Story

Is football still the ‘beautiful game’?

We ask how much allegations of corruption and match-fixing have tarnished the image of the sport.

Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA, has been in Zimbabwe where he has promised to crack down on match-fixing in football.

During his two-day visit he appeared to take a tough stance against anyone found guilty of corruption, but his words came as Britain’s parliamentary Committee for Culture, Media and Sport accused FIFA of an approach bordering on contempt when dealing with bribery allegations within the organisation itself. 

Some of those involved in the ‘beautiful game’ – whether as coaches, players or officials – have been found guilty of fixing, or attempting to fix, games in recent years. The biggest current case involves the Turkish side Fenerbahce who won their 18th league title in the last season. 

How will further corruption allegations affect the future of the sport? 

Inside Story, with presenter Nick Clark, discusses with guests: Mehrdad Masoudi, the producer of weekly football magazine show Futbol Mundial; Gavin Hamilton, the editor of World Soccer Magazine; and Emin Ozkurt, a sports law expert.

This episode of Inside Story aired on Tuesday, July 5, 2011.