Nairobi: Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset issued a statement Sunday ahead of the 2026 World Cup final, raising questions about FIFA's practices during the tournament.

According to Anadolu Agency, Berset's statement highlighted several concerns such as the suspension of a sanction under unexplained circumstances, challenges to referees' authority, and incidents of racist abuse towards players, including from elected officials. He emphasized the influence of betting, which he believes has expanded beyond match outcomes to individual player actions, potentially leading to fraud.

Berset criticized FIFA's decision to partner with a prediction market, allowing betting inside stadiums, calling it an "open door to fraud." He also questioned FIFA's suspension of the one-match ban on US striker Folarin Balogun, following a red card. Berset noted that the decision, made after a call between US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, suggested political influence on the field.

The secretary general proposed a dialogue to establish an integrity framework for the 2030 World Cup, aiming to address concerns from the current tournament. The 2026 World Cup has faced controversies regarding refereeing, racism, political influence, and governance, overshadowing the dramatic matches seen in the knockout stages.