World

Interpol suspends Fifa partnership

June 12, 2015 6:28 pm

Interpol has suspended a joint anti-match-fixing programme with Fifa over allegations of corruption against the football governing body.

The international police agency is freezing the €20 million (£14m) donated by Fifa in 2011 for the programme.

The 10-year “Integrity in Sport” agreement was intended to combat match-fixing and illegal gambling.

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Fifa is under investigation by authorities in the US and Switzerland for alleged bribery and corruption.

“In light of the current context surrounding Fifa, while Interpol is still committed to developing our Integrity in Sport programme, I have decided to suspend the agreement,” Juergen Stock, the head of Interpol, said in a statement.

“All external partners, whether public or private, must share the fundamental values and principles of the organisation, as well as those of the wider law enforcement community,” he added.

The agreement between Interpol and Fifa stated that the football body must be “compatible with the principles, aims and activities of Interpol”.