FIFA Vice Prez Takes A Swipe At African FAs

John McBeth, the Scot who will take over Britain's FIFA vice-presidency, has accused African associations of corruption and greed.

McBeth will step down from his role as Scottish Football Association president on Friday to take over from compatriot David Will.

He will move into his office at FIFA's Zurich headquarters with the intention of tackling corruption in the world game.

But he may have made some enemies already after claiming "poor nations" in Africa have different ethics from the British "fair play" attitude.

McBeth said: "As soon as you hit Africa it's a slightly different kettle of fish. They're poor nations and want to grab what they can.

"I know two or three whom I'd want to count my fingers after shaking hands with them.

"I presume the Caribbean is much the same — they just come at it in a different way."

"If I come across corruption I have to expose it. I must try to stay true to my beliefs and hope I don't get seduced."

McBeth has known FIFA president Sepp Blatter for 10 years.

The former Clyde chairman said: "He's a tricky customer but I suppose anyone in that position has to be because you're dealing with people who have a totally different code of ethics.

McBeth is also wary of CONCACAF president Jack Warner, from Trinidad & Tobago, who wants the British nations to be stripped of their right to occupy the vice-president role.

"To a certain extent I can understand what he's saying - it's the old British Empire stuff," McBeth said.

"The British have an attitude of fair play but sometimes the Empire didn't play fair and that's coming back on us.

"For the ones that were under the Empire it's payback time.

"By and large the four British countries know what fair play is and when we're stepping out of line.

Soure — BBC