We were into the last week of the World Cup when police raids on the homes and offices of European politicians in Belgium uncovered €1.5 million (£1.3 million) in notes, much of it stuffed in a suitcase like some bad heist movie. Prosecutors say it was a cash-for-influence scheme orchestrated by Qatar.
The World Cup — and the sporting world — carried on regardless, with barely a shrug, just as it had in the decade-long build-up to the tournament when allegations of corruption, including unresolved indictments in the United States about Qatar bribing some of the most senior figures at Fifa, were treated as insignificant, a sideshow. Criminal investigations? Whatever.
The Qatar authorities vehemently deny wrongdoing, the show went on and, anyway, Gianni Infantino assures
