Editorial: Another Shadow Looms over CONCACAF
What went on during this semifinal was a reminder of the reasons why this confederation lives in a cloud of corruption
SPANISH VERSION
If the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) was hoping that the Gold Cup would make us forget their scandals, the Mexico-Panama game did exactly the opposite. What went on during this semifinal was a reminder of the reasons why this confederation lives in a cloud of corruption, leaving fans with a bitter taste in their mouths.
Sports newscasters analyzed in detail the irregularities committed by U.S. referee Mark Geiger that allowed Mexico to get to the tournament’s final. Unlike the usual controversies frequent in soccer and other sports, now there is universal agreement regarding the unfairness of a red card to a Panamanian player, as well as a penalty that saved Mexico from defeat.
There is no proof whatsoever that the referee was influenced to favor a specific team, but you don’t need much evidence to see that the main suspect is the Confederation itself. The CONCACAF was the epicenter of a corruption scandal that shook the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA, in French.) As a result, the last two CONCACAF presidents have been closer to prison that to a stadium.
This caused the removal of a leadership composed mostly of people of Caribbean origin, and opened the seats to a very different leadership. Then-vice president Alfredo Hawit, from Honduras, took the presidency and created a special committee to handle the Confederation’s affairs. The committee was formed by Sunil Gulati, from the U.S., Canadian Victor Montagliani and Mexican Justino Compean. Before the Gold Cup inauguration, the new administration spoke of their commitment to reform and of “promoting the game with accountability and transparency.” What just happened does not reflect these goals. It does, however, give the administration an opportunity to act assertively and show their new leadership.
CONCACAF is also responsible, with the promoters for the lack of safety and of police presence in the stadium, where the crowd was able to throw objects at the players.
The Mexico-Panama game was shameful, a rip off and a blow to the fans’ enthusiasm. The responsibility to prevent this from happening again falls in the shoulders of the “suits” in the soccer business.
