QATAR BID FOR 2022 WORLD CUP

Industry

Government

Corporate Headquarters

Qatar

Summary of Allegations:

Nationality of Foreign Officials: France

Summary of Allegations:

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is alleged to have accepted bribes to support Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, news sources reported on 4 August 2017.

The allegations center around a Qatari company buying a stake in a French energy and waste company, Veolia, and the sale of football club Paris Saint-Germain to another Qatari firm. Sarkozy is alleged to have received kickbacks from those deals in exchange for France’s vote for Qatar. Sarkozy was president at the time his country supported the Qatari bid. 

Approximate Alleged Payments to Foreign Officials:

Business Advantage Allegedly Obtained:

Nationality of Foreign Officials: Greece

Summary of Allegations:

European Parliament vice president Eva Kaili is being investigated and prosecuted on corruption charges over her alleged involvement in a graft scandal linked to Qatar. Belgian prosecutors raided numerous buildings in Brussels in connection with the arrest of Ms. Kaili, and discovered around USD $1.58 million. 

Since her arrest, the European Parliament have removed Ms. Kaili as a vice president of the assembly. 

Approximate Alleged Payments to Foreign Officials:

Business Advantage Allegedly Obtained:

Nationality of Foreign Officials: Italy

Summary of Allegations:

Maria Dolores Celleoni, wife of former EU lawmaker Pier Antonio Panzeri, over to Belgian authorities under suspicion of involvement in the Qatar graft scandal. Brussels prosecutors believe that Mr. Panzeri is one of the main players in the alleged corruption.

A report stated that in a search of Ms. Celleoni's home, authorities found around USD $18,000 in cash. The arrest order said that Mr. Panzeri is suspected of receiving payments from Qatar and Morocco to influence people working at the European Parliament, and used his NGO, Fight Impunity, to finance a web of corruption in the European Parliament on behalf of Qatar and Morocco. It is alleged that his wife, Ms. Celleoni, and her daughter, Silvia Panzeri, were aware of his actions and took part in the transport of gifts.  

Approximate Alleged Payments to Foreign Officials: At least USD $18,000

Business Advantage Allegedly Obtained:

Enforcement Results

Agencies: Belgium: Public Prosecutor's Office

Results: Prosecution of Public Officials

Year Resolved:

Compliance Monitor:

Ongoing: Yes

Details:

On 12 December 2022 it was announced that Belgian investigators searched offices of the European Parliament as part of a probe into alleged corruption related to bribery by World Cup host Qatar. A European Parliament vice president named Eva Kaili was among six suspects arrested. Ms. Kaili was one of four suspects charged with corruption by Belgian prosecutors. 

On 23 December 2022, a Belgian court ordered Ms. Kaili in detention in Belgium, denying Ms. Kaili's request to be released under electronic surveillance. 

On 17 January 2023 it was reported that the European Parliament is beginning the process of waiving immunity for two lawmakers who Belgian investigators wish to question. The lawmakers are Andrea Cozzolino and Marc Tarabella. The request to waive their immunity has been submitted and will be reviewed and hopefully concluded within a month to allow parliament to vote in the next full-session in mid-February.

On 03 February 2023, the European Parliament voted to waive the immunity of Andrea Cozzolino and Marc Tarabella.

On 10 February 2023, Italian finance police acting on behalf of Belgian federal prosecutors arrested Andrea Cozzolino.

On 11 February 2023, Belgian prosecutors indicted Marc Tarabella on charges of corruption, money laundering, and for participating in a criminal organization. The day beforehand, Belgian authorities searched Mr. Tarabella’s home in eastern Belgium, the town hall, and a safe deposit box in the city of Liege. 

Agencies: Belgium: Public Prosecutor's Office

Results:

Year Resolved:

Compliance Monitor:

Ongoing: Yes

Details:

On 20 December 2022, Maria Dolores Colleoni, wife of former EU lawmaker Pier Antonio Panzeri, was handed over to Belgian authorities under suspicion of participation in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption. Ms. Colleoni is still in Itlay because her lawyers have filed an appeal against her transfer that is expected to be decided by Italy's highest appeals court on 31 January 2023.

Ms. Colleoni's and her adult daughter, Silvia Panzeri, have been under house arrest for more than a week in compliance with a European arrest order issued by Belgian magistrates. A hearing to decide on the handover of Panzeri's daughter before the same Brescia court has been delayed until 03 January 2023. 

On 04 January 2023, the hearing for Silvia Panzeri was postponed again.

On 16 January 2023, it was reported that the court agreed to release Silvia Panzeri to Belgian authorities. 

On 17 January 2023, it was reported that Mr. Panzeri, who was in custody with Belgian authorities, had cut a deal to divulge information about countries involved and bribes made. In return for the information, Mr. Panzeri was offered a limited sentence that includes imprisonment, a fine, and confiscation of USD $1.1 million in assets.

Agencies: France: National Public Proscecutor's Office

Results:

Year Resolved:

Compliance Monitor:

Ongoing: Yes

Details:

French authorities are reportedly undertaking a criminal investigation of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy over allegations he accepted bribes to support Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Investigators are examining whether Sarkozy received kickbacks from several deals in exchange for France’s vote for Qatar. As of 31 Jan 2018, no updates are available. 

Agencies: Greece: Athens Public Prosecutor's Office

Results:

Year Resolved:

Compliance Monitor:

Ongoing: Yes

Details:

On 15 December 2022, it was announced that Athens prosecutors had opened a preliminary inquiry, in parallel with the Belgian case, into Eva Kaili for alleged corruption and money-laundering.

ENTITIES / INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED
  • Nicolas Sarkozy (former President of France)
  • Veolia (French utility firm)
  • Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) soccer team
  • Eva Kaili (Greek socialist, EU Vice President)
  • Pier Antonio Panzeri (former EU lawmaker)
  • Maria Dolores Colleoni (wife of Pier Antonio Panzeri)
  • Silvia Panzeri (daughter of Maria Dolores Colleoni)