On Tuesday, August 16, Transparency International published a report with concrete recommendations for FIFA to build integrity after the recent corruption scandals. FIFA has acknowledged the paper and is taking first steps to address the problem internally.

One of the core recommendations of Transparency International is the creation of a multi-stakeholder group consisting of national and continental federations, clubs, sponsors, governments and civil society. The aim of the group would be to develop stronger and more effective anti-corruption and anti-bribery procedures within FIFA.

FIFA, in the meantime, has been taking action in light of recent scandals. High-ranking officials have been sanctioned with suspensions and a commission is working on concrete proposals for changes within the organisation. Additionally, a system against match-fixing and corruption is being developed in cooperation with INTERPOL.

The recent allegations against FIFA officials are not only a problem for the reputation and credibility of the football industry, but also for its huge potential to support social development across the globe.

“streetfootballworld believes in the power of football to create social change, but this power relies also on the integrity of the professional side of the sport,” said streetfootballworld CEO Jürgen Griesbeck.

“Within the partnership we have had with FIFA since 2007, we have found effective ways of investing in local community development through Football for Hope. Here, the idea of involving many different stakeholders to build trust and achieve lasting effects has already been put in place: the success of Football for Hope builds strongly on the joint efforts of national and continental federations, corporate partners, governments and, very importantly, civil society. This could serve as a strong model for Transparency International’s recent recommendation.”

The eight-page report can be found on Transparency International’s website; FIFA has posted its response here.