FIFA acknowledged Wednesday that past World Cups were awarded based on bribes, and the organization wants U.S. prosecutors to give it “tens of millions of dollars” seized from former FIFA officials who skimmed cash from broadcasting rights.

    FIFA submitted a 22-page claim to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York that seeks a big share in restitution from more than US$190 million already forfeited by soccer and marketing officials who pleaded guilty in a sprawling corruption case that mostly involves non-FIFA competitions.

    Tens of millions of dollars more is likely to be collected by U.S. authorities when sentences are handed down, and from dozens of officials currently indicted but who have denied bribery charges or are fighting extradition.

    FIFA claims it is the victim of corrupt individuals, despite widespread criticism that bribe-taking was embedded in its culture in the presidencies of Joao Havelange and Sepp Blatter, who was forced from office after 17 years by the current scandal.

    “The convicted defendants abused the positions of trust they held at FIFA and other international football organizations and caused serious and lasting damage to FIFA,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Wednesday in a statement. “The money they pocketed belonged to global football and were meant for the development and promotion of the game. FIFA as the world governing body of football wants that money back and we are determined to get it no matter how long it takes.”

    FIFA’s grab for a share of the money sets up a battle with two of its regional confederations — CONMEBOL, the South American confederation, and CONCACAF, the body running soccer in North America. It was officials and competitions from those regions that were most involved in the corruption crisis.

    It also signals a change in strategy for FIFA, after months of senior officials distancing Zurich from the scandal, instead blaming confederations that are beyond its control.

    Most of the already seized money — US$151.7 million — will come from Brazilian marketing executive Jose Hawilla, whose group of agencies were heavily involved with matches CONCACAF and CONMEBOL controlled.

    FIFA insisted that its claim for money did not mean it believed South Africa “bought” hosting rights when it beat Morocco 14-10 in a vote by FIFA executive committee members.

    “The U.S. indictments merely accuses certain individuals of criminal behavior,” FIFA said.

    (SD-Agencies)