Council of Europe Secretary General Criticizes FIFA's Deal with Prediction Markets
The Council of Europe’s secretary general, Alain Berset, has sternly rebuked FIFA for allegedly allowing an “open door to fraud” through its deal with a prediction market company. This criticism comes just days before Sunday's World Cup final.
In an open letter published as the tournament reaches its climax, Berset accused FIFA of bending rules under pressure and questioned the integrity of key aspects such as referee decisions and fan safety at major sporting events. His comments follow allegations that the US government influenced Fifa to lift sanctions on striker Folarin Balogun shortly before his international release this month.
Berset stated: “The Fifa World Cup 2026 has raised question after question. A sanction suspended under pressure, within days, with no reasons given. The authority of referees called into question. Racist abuse by elected officials. Betting on every pass, every card, every corner. The celebration will end tonight. The questions will not.”FIFA defends its decision to lift Balogun's ban: