Hoeness slams FIFA

Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness has launched a scathing attack on FIFA, singling out the World Cup bidding process for special criticism.

The game’s governing body provoked a considerable backlash from some countries after awarding the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively.

Hoeness, 59, is the latest figure to call for reform within the organisation, while also accusing the World Cup bidding process of corruption.

“It’s a scandal how things (are) run there,” Hoeness told Bild.

“Apparently, a bid nowadays can only be successful if payments are additionally made under the table.”

“One scandal comes on the heels of another. They must ask themselves if things can go on like this.”

“I must say that football’s good image is being wrecked.”

Hoeness believes it is up to the established European football federations to force change within the much-maligned global governing body.

“It’s time for the strong federations from Germany, England, Spain or France to start to clean things up,” he said.

“A change can only take place when the big federations say they’ve had enough.”