Gianni Infantino
 

FIFA's got a new man in its captain's chair, and it isn't wasting time trying to move past its recent fraud scandal. First item on the list: The soccer organization wants its money back.

That's right: FIFA is asking the U.S. government to return bribe money it confiscated during raids that blew FIFA's history of bribes and fraud wide open.

To build a case for having the money returned, FIFA took some pretty strong steps toward turning over a new leaf. It admitted that votes were sold during the World Cup bids for 2018 and 2022, which were won by Russia and Qatar.

FIFA blamed the individual voters in the organization, who are now under investigation by U.S. authorities, and presented itself as a victim of those actions, rather than a guilty party itself.


At stake is more than $190 million in bribes U.S. officials seized from FIFA executives.

At the same time, FIFA also insisted it wouldn't re-vote for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, despite clear evidence and admission of fraud. While 2018 may well be too close to find a suitable substitute, some expected FIFA to re-cast votes for 2022, with the United States being a frontrunner to take Qatar's place as host.

The decision comes one month after FIFA elected Gianni Infantino to succeed Sepp Blatter as the organization's president. Blatter is serving a six-year suspension from soccer and is reportedly under investigation by Swiss official.

We aren't legal experts over here, but it seems there's a big difference between one rogue fraudster and a bevy of illegal actions fostered by corrupt environment. For years, FIFA was that environment. It seems unlikely the feds could look at FIFA and see it as a suddenly blameless victim, but stranger things have happened.

More: What Does FIFA's New President Mean For The Future Of Soccer?

Casting Sepp Blatter For Ben Affleck's FIFA Movie

 

Casting For Sepp Blatter

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are producing a movie about the FIFA scandal.

 

Dustin Hoffman

He was great as a villain in "Hook."

 

Dustin Hoffman

Hoffman's versatility makes him capable of handling nearly any role.

 

Gerard Depardieu

Here's a unique qualification for playing a role of villian: Being actual friends with Vladimir Putin.

 

Gerard Depardieu

In his autobiography, Depardieu writes that Putin "immediately liked my hooligan side."

 

James Garner

Yes, we realize that Garner passed away last year ...

 

James Garner

... but the resemblance is uncanny.

 

John Cusack

Cusack is 30 years younger than Blatter.

 

John Cusack

But the magic of Hollywood makeup can do wonders in bridging the gap.

 

Tommy Lee Jones

One of his most memorable roles was on the side of law enforcement as a U.S. Marshal in "The Fugitive" but ...

 

Tommy Lee Jones

... he did play the villain role of Two Face in "Batman Forever."

 

Robert Duvall

The ultimate pro, Duvall always delivers in whatever role he's given.

 

Robert Duvall

Duvall is 84, and we know he'd still come through.

 

Alan Arkin

At 81, Arkin is in the same age range as Blatter.

 

Alan Arkin

As a 72-year-old, Arkin earned the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in "Little Miss Sunshine."

 

Danny DeVito

Everyone loved to hate him as Louie De Palma on "Taxi."

 

Danny DeVito

Plus, he played the Penguin in "Batman Returns."

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