Concacaf to Institute Reforms in Wake of Soccer Scandal

A special committee overseeing Concacaf, soccer’s governing body in North and Central America and the Caribbean, has approved a series of reforms aimed at cleaning up what prosecutors allege is a long-corrupt organization.

“We think this is the right thing and to do and the right time to do it,” said Samir Gandhi, a lawyer with Sidley Austin, the law firm that has been advising Concacaf on the process.

In May, former Concacaf president Jeffrey Webb was indicted along with 13 other soccer officials and executives for allegedly accepting a series of bribes for awarding contracts for the commercial rights to the Gold Cup and other Concacaf events.

This is the second time in two years that lawyers from Sidley Austin have recommended changes at Concacaf.

Others, such as full vetting of vendors and other matters of compliance, can be enacted immediately, though the real challenge will be changing the organization’s culture, Gandhi said, and proving to sponsors that Concacaf is serious about running itself lawfully.