FIFA Scandal Sets Bad Example To Children In Leeds
FIFA may be rocked by accusations of corruption, but at the lowest levels of the sport in Leeds, our young players are feeling frustrated.
FIFA, the governing body for world football, is in the middle of a huge scandal after U.S. authorities accused 14 people of corruption over 24 years.
But it’s also having an effect on children and young people in Leeds right down at the lowest levels of football.
With headlines full of words like 'bribery' and 'corruption', it's easy to see why people like Matthew feel frustrated.
He gives up his spare time to coach at North East Leeds Football Club and says it's not the best role model for the kids.
“We’re trying to teach them fair play, everyone’s honest, hard work... So we’re trying to set kids that example, then they see at the top it's not happening.
"We’re struggling for funding, for facilities, the boys have to play on some poor pitches and a minute percentage of those figures banded about would make a huge, huge difference – even a tiny percentage would mean the world to a club like us".
This feeling filters down to the children playing for the under-15s too.
They say it's annoying to see millions of pounds exchanging hands at the top of the game when barely any of it filters down to them.
Well clubs like this one have to make do with poor pitches and missing bits of kit.
They’’ll still live and breathe the game but ultimately just want it to be about the football, not the money.