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Greg Dyke says he had no idea World Cup gift watch was worth £16,000 Greg Dyke says he had no idea World Cup gift watch was worth £16,000
(about 4 hours later)
The Football Association chairman, Greg Dyke, has said he had “no idea” of the value of a designer watch he was given as a gift during the Brazil World Cup – one of 65 worth a total of more than £1m – and would be returning it as requested by Fifa’s ethics committee.The Football Association chairman, Greg Dyke, has said he had “no idea” of the value of a designer watch he was given as a gift during the Brazil World Cup – one of 65 worth a total of more than £1m – and would be returning it as requested by Fifa’s ethics committee.
Dyke was given one of the limited edition Parmigiani watches, worth £16,344, by the Brazilian FA during a Fifa Congress in São Paulo that was dominated by corruption allegations and protests.Dyke was given one of the limited edition Parmigiani watches, worth £16,344, by the Brazilian FA during a Fifa Congress in São Paulo that was dominated by corruption allegations and protests.
In response to media inquiries, Fifa’s ethics committee confirmed that 65 of the watches had been handed out in goodie bags during the Congress that preceded the World Cup.In response to media inquiries, Fifa’s ethics committee confirmed that 65 of the watches had been handed out in goodie bags during the Congress that preceded the World Cup.
They had been given to the 28 officials on Fifa’s ruling executive committee, a representative from each of the 32 member associations and representatives from South America’s governing body.They had been given to the 28 officials on Fifa’s ruling executive committee, a representative from each of the 32 member associations and representatives from South America’s governing body.
Dyke said the watch had remained in its packaging in his home office since he returned from Brazil and had been destined for charity until he realised its value. Dyke said the watch had remained in its packaging in his home office since he returned from Brazil and had been destined for charity.
“I welcome Fifa’s investigation on the matter, including their intention to donate the items to good causes back in Brazil,” he said. “The fact that gifts of great value are being handed out randomly and often with the recipient unaware shows up a culture in need of change.”“I welcome Fifa’s investigation on the matter, including their intention to donate the items to good causes back in Brazil,” he said. “The fact that gifts of great value are being handed out randomly and often with the recipient unaware shows up a culture in need of change.”
Dyke, travelling to Geneva for Uefa’s decision on whether to award the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final to Wembley, told the Guardian that he had no idea what the watch was worth and had put it in his charity box.Dyke, travelling to Geneva for Uefa’s decision on whether to award the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final to Wembley, told the Guardian that he had no idea what the watch was worth and had put it in his charity box.
“It was the fourth watch I’ve had since I started doing this job,” he said. “Everywhere you go you get these watches. I wouldn’t know a £16,000 watch if my life depended on it. No one should give you a £16,000 watch without telling you what it’s worth.”“It was the fourth watch I’ve had since I started doing this job,” he said. “Everywhere you go you get these watches. I wouldn’t know a £16,000 watch if my life depended on it. No one should give you a £16,000 watch without telling you what it’s worth.”
Jim Boyce, the British Fifa vice-president, has also said that he accepted the watch in question without having any idea of its value and would be returning it immediately.Jim Boyce, the British Fifa vice-president, has also said that he accepted the watch in question without having any idea of its value and would be returning it immediately.
Separately, it also emerged that Fifa’s secretary general, Jérôme Valcke, had sought the approval of the ethics committee to distribute 56 expensive Hublot watches to the executive committee.Separately, it also emerged that Fifa’s secretary general, Jérôme Valcke, had sought the approval of the ethics committee to distribute 56 expensive Hublot watches to the executive committee.
The watches, provided by one of Fifa’s sponsors as part of a value in kind arrangement, were to be handed out to the 28 executive committee members in September. But the move was privately blocked by the ethics committee and audit committee, which said it would breach Fifa’s rules.The watches, provided by one of Fifa’s sponsors as part of a value in kind arrangement, were to be handed out to the 28 executive committee members in September. But the move was privately blocked by the ethics committee and audit committee, which said it would breach Fifa’s rules.
Fifa’s code of ethics says football officials should not accept gifts of more than “symbolic or trivial value” and that “if in doubt, gifts shall not be offered or accepted”.Fifa’s code of ethics says football officials should not accept gifts of more than “symbolic or trivial value” and that “if in doubt, gifts shall not be offered or accepted”.
It also says that ignorance is no defence and that officials “are expected to be aware of the importance of their duties and concomitant obligations and responsibilities”.It also says that ignorance is no defence and that officials “are expected to be aware of the importance of their duties and concomitant obligations and responsibilities”.
But the ethics committee said that if officials returned the watches by 24 October then no further action would be taken and they would be given to charity.But the ethics committee said that if officials returned the watches by 24 October then no further action would be taken and they would be given to charity.