Many of us have been lectured about “doing the right thing” or even more unsettling, “doing what YOU think is right”. Usually the moment these phrases leave your interlocutor’s mouth, panic and utter fear set in as you begin to really ask yourself, “what exactly .. is right?”. During this short time of thought, which may seem like hours to some, your mind races to make a decision based on your ethical beliefs. Ethics-synonymous to morals and/or values- differentiate our rights from wrongs and they shape the way we, as humans, behave. Each and every one of us holds oneself to our own ethical/moral code but what exactly happens in a group setting such as a business or organization? As Wes Harrison, research analyst, mentioned in one of his articles, “If people as individuals are to be held to an ethical, or moral code, so too should corporations in the manner with which they operate and conduct business”.

Business ethics is relatively self-explanatory; it has to do with corporate responsibilities and the moral principles found in a business environment. As much as we, as people and consumers, hate it many business and organizations are dishonest and lack these so-called moral principles. One specific organization that I, as well as many others, follow religiously was recently caught in a scandal that is not only unethical but it has raised almost as many eyebrows as it has questions. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or better known to some as “FIFA”, is the international governing body of the largest (as well as the best) sport in the world- football/soccer. Now do not get me wrong, FIFA has an extremely strong ethics committee that has never stopped short of indicting several top executives; however, the amount of corruption and scandals this organization faces will never subside.

One specific accusation that I would like to direct attention to is about the wrongful bidding process that awarded the Gulf state of Qatar the 2022 World Cup. As an article from bbc suggests, “how in the world did such a small country like Qatar gain such an event that generates billions of dollars in revenue from corporate sponsors, broadcasting rights and merchandising.” The obvious and most corrupt answer that most have come to is bribery. With FIFA previously facing charges of racketeering, conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering, who’s to say that the tiny peninsula with the highest per-capita GDP in the world did not pay off committee members? Bribery is extremely dishonourable and although FIFA claims that accepting bribes was embedded in their culture from the two previous presidents, this unethical act has already had a huge impact on Fifa’s reputation.

Sepp Blatter ends 17-year reign as FIFA’s president after being banned by ethic’s                                           committee for his improper behaviour.

Leanza, Ennio. Sepp Blatter. 30 May 2015. 20 Minutes. 31 May 2015. Web. 12 Sept. 2016.

WC: 437