FIFA Ethics Chief Quiet on "Watchgate" Scandal

(ATR) One week after the deadline for FIFA ExCo members to return $26,600 watches to its ethics committee, there’s still no word from chief investigator Michael Garcia about how many have been handed over.

Parmigiani watches worth more than 25,000 Swiss francs each were left in gift bags for the 28 FIFA ExCo members by the Brazilian football federation during the World Cup. The CBF distributed 65 gift bags in all. The other watches were given to a representative from each of the 32 member nations competing at the World Cup, and an official from each of the 10 members of CONMEBOL, the South American football confederation.

Recipients were ordered to return them by Oct. 24 or face disciplinary proceedings. FIFA's ethics committee prohibits any gifts of more than "symbolic or trivial value".

Around the Rings contacted the office of New York lawyer Garcia. But there was a "no update" given when asked how many ExCo members and other football officials have handed over the designer watches or if any disciplinary proceedings had been opened.

A FIFA spokeswoman told ATR, " It is a matter solely handled by Michael Garcia".

Last month, FIFA president Sepp Blatter declined on two occasions to say if he had given his watch back at a press conference that followed the executive committee meeting.

Describing the scandal variously as "a non-problem" and "a non-case," he insisted it was a gift given in good faith by the CBF. What was wrong according to the Code of Ethics? "Perhaps the value, but what is the value? Today it is more a sentimental value," he said.

Belgium’s FIFA ExCo member Michel D’Hooghe described the watch as the most "poisonous present" he had ever received at the Leaders in Sport Summit in London two weeks ago. D’Hooghe said he was happy to return the gift handed out by the CBF to mark its centenary.

Earlier this month, Football Association chairman Greg Dyke announced that he would not return the watch after discovering the cost of paying VAT on the Parmigiani watch. Instead, he decided to donate the watch to the FA’s nominated charity Breast Cancer Care.

On Sept. 18, Garcia ordered the return of the watches, saying the CBF was wrong to have offered the watches.

"In an effort to resolve this matter expeditiously, the investigatory chamber will not pursue further formal ethics proceedings in this matter against officials who submit the Parmigiani watch they received from CBF to the secretariat of the investigatory chamber by no later than October 24," FIFA said in a statement at the time.

Written by Mark Bisson

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