FIFA arrests put cloud over women's games in Winnipeg, analyst says
Winnipeg-based soccer analyst Bob McMahon says FIFA arrests, scandal will cast pall over tournament
The arrest of FIFA soccer officials in a corruption probe in Switzerland doesn't surprised a Winnipeg-based soccer analyst.
Fourteen people have been indicted for corruption.
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Bob McMahon said what is surprising is the scope and magnitude of the allegations.
"Because the indictments aren't going to be dealt with in short order, this is going to take a long time," he said. "This is a story that has legs and will go on for quite some time."
Winnipeg will host events for the FIFA Women's World Cup next month, along with several other Canadian cities including Edmonton, Ottawa and Montreal.
McMahon said the scandal puts a cloud over the tournament.
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"I think it is going to be a cloud over the tournament — a cloud over the artificial turf," said McMahon. "The fact that so many FIFA executives are being investigated … it's going to be the question that hangs over the tournament."
But Canada's federal sports minister disagrees. He said the corruption allegations won't tarnish the Women's World Cup in Canada, and he's confident Canadian soccer authorities won't be pulled into the criminal investigations.
The federal sports minister says two probes into corruption allegations at soccer's governing body won't tarnish the upcoming Women's World Cup in Canada.
The Canadian Soccer Association was similarly optimistic.
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, the association said, "The Canadian Soccer Association is confident that the current situation will not impact the competition. We are ready and prepared to successfully host the 24 participating nations from 6 June to 5 July in six official host cities from coast to coast. We are positive that the 30 days of competition will bring exciting soccer to all fans in Canada and around the world."
They declined to comment further.