A VANITY film about the history of FIFA has flopped in the United States, taking just US$607 in its opening weekend.

    “United Passions” was funded by about US$26 million of FIFA cash, and was completed before corruption charges were made against 14 of its officials in May.

    Starring Tim Roth as Sepp Blatter, the hagiography of football’s governing body has had damning reviews.

    The Village Voice called it “not merely ham-fisted, but pork-shouldered, bacon-wristed, and sausage-elbowed.”

    The Guardian added that “as proof of corporate insanity it is a valuable case study.”

    The movie’s budget was estimated at between US$25-32m, with FIFA said to have put up about three-quarters of the money. It debuted in the United States on Friday, on just 10 screens.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, the FilmBar cinema in Phoenix reported takings of just US$9, meaning only one person bought a ticket.

    Its release came as FIFA faces an investigation into allegations of corruption during the bidding process to host the 2010 World Cup. The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted a total of 14 current and former FIFA officials and associates on charges of “rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted” corruption.

    President Sepp Blatter stepped down last week, although he faces no charges himself.

    “United Passions” purports to present the history of FIFA through three leaders, and co-stars Sam Neill as Blatter’s predecessor, Joao Havelange, and Gerard Depardieu, who plays FIFA founder Jules Rimet.

    (SD-Agencies)