CONCACAF Suing Cartan Tours Over Alleged Kickback Scheme: Details, Reaction

CONCACAF is suing California company Cartan Tours over allegations of kickbacks involving two of the footballing body's former executives. An AP report (h/t Fox Sports) confirmed the news and provided additional details.

CONCACAF's lawsuit extends beyond Cartan Tours, a Los Angeles-based company. As well as citing the company's owner and an additional unnamed executive, "three related companies" are included in the allegations.

Those allegations refer to "'a clandestine, kickback-based and parasitic relationship' between Cartan and two former CONCACAF executives, president Jeffrey Webb and general secretary Enrique Sanz. Webb and Sanz were not being sued."

The issue involves travel costs for signature events such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Webb's involvement means the case will be associated with the FIFA corruption scandal. The AP report states how Webb, a one-time FIFA vice president and executive committee member, has previously "pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges," dating back to the arrests of various FIFA officials back in May.

Legal and executive representatives of Cartan Tours were asked for comment, but those messages "were not immediately returned Wednesday."

But Rebecca R. Ruiz of the New York Times is sceptical about the case. She portrays it as CONCACAF trying to spin the narrative in its favour after the stain created by its former officers.

She emphasises how CONCACAF is not suing either Webb or Sanz directly but rather the companies they allegedly conspired with.

Ruiz also identified Elmore Sports Group, iSports Marketing and Gant Travel as accused parties in the indictment.

This is yet another sorry chapter in the ongoing cycle of corruption strangling the way football is run at its highest levels, as well as besmirching the game's image.