FIFA cash cut down

By Daniel SaireFUFA is laughing all the way to the bank after receiving the first batch of $60,000 (sh105m) from FIFA The New Vision can reveal.The money is part of a four-year $250,000 (sh440m) annual grant the local association has been getting since 1999. The grant expires at the end of this year.FIFA has however reduced this year’s grant by $80,000 (sh140m) that has been added to the $400,000 Goal project money for the construction of FUFA offices. Treasurer Patrick Isiagi confirmed that they got the money a few weeks ago but refused to divulge the amount.“We are having many creditors and the moment you disclose it, they will be on our backs the next day, that is why we decided to keep quiet,” he said.Isiagi said they used the money for settling some debts and conducting administration work.The New Vision has however established that FIFA sent $60,000 during the first batch. The second batch is expected soon.Soccer analysts however rubbished the claim arguing that this was public money that FUFA ought to have declared on top of giving its accountability. FIFA approved the grant at the end of 1998 after the election of embattled president Sepp Blatter.Uganda and five other countries were recently accused to have taken a bribe to vote for Blatter. However FUFA officials have since denied ever taking bribes from Blatter.ends