Method Before Message
FIJF operates as a verification-first investigative project. We publish only what we can substantiate, clearly label unresolved claims as allegations, and maintain a structured escalation posture when evidence indicates criminal conduct, match manipulation, corruption risk, or serious governance breaches.
What FIJF Is — and Is Not
Authority requires boundaries. FIJF is a publication and investigative workflow, not a court and not a rumor pipeline.
FIJF is
Evidence-led investigative reporting on integrity, governance, and systemic risk in football—built to produce dossiers that can withstand hostile scrutiny.
FIJF is not
A platform for retaliation, defamation, or vague accusations. Submissions without verifiable detail are rejected and are not escalated.
Core principle
Separation of fact and analysis. Readers must see exactly what is known, what is inferred, and what remains unproven.
Language rule
We use precise wording: “alleged”, “reported”, “documented”, “confirmed”, and “public record” are not interchangeable.
Evidence Standards
Not everything that is “interesting” is publishable. FIJF applies a strict evidence filter before publication or escalation.
Minimum publishability threshold
- Specificity: names, dates, amounts, roles, locations, and a clear “who did what” narrative.
- Verifiability: public records, filings, registry extracts, authentic documents, or independently corroborated testimony.
- Consistency: claims must survive cross-checking against timelines, known constraints, and documented facts.
- Relevance: direct connection to integrity, governance, match manipulation risk, or institutional abuse.
- Harm discipline: avoid publishing private personal data unless clearly necessary and legally defensible.
Workflow: How FIJF Builds an Investigation
We structure investigations to be readable by the public and usable by competent authorities.
Intake and triage
We assess specificity, relevance, and evidentiary potential. Weak or retaliatory submissions are rejected.
Source mapping
We identify what must be verified: entities, relationships, money flows, appointments, decisions, and leverage points.
Verification
Cross-check against public records and secondary corroboration. Timelines and contradictions are stress-tested.
Drafting with separation discipline
We separate documented facts from interpretation and mark allegations as allegations until confirmed by competent bodies.
Legal-risk check
We remove unnecessary personal data, correct speculative language, and ensure claims are anchored to verifiable material.
Publication and follow-ups
We publish with clear scope and update responsibly when new evidence or official determinations emerge.
Escalation Thresholds
FIJF escalates only when thresholds are met. “Suspicion” is not enough; the goal is an actionable dossier.
When escalation becomes appropriate
Where submissions are credible, detailed, and evidence-supported, FIJF may compile a structured dossier and notify competent authorities. FIJF does not determine guilt—courts, regulators, and competent bodies do.
- Criminal conduct indicators (bribery, coercion, extortion, fraud, match manipulation).
- Documented money flows with plausible corrupt purpose or undisclosed conflicts.
- Institutional capture signals (appointments, disciplinary interference, selective enforcement).
- Threats and intimidation against officials, journalists, referees, players, or witnesses.
- Cross-border relevance suggesting escalation beyond national bodies is necessary.
Potential escalation targets include police and prosecution services (competent jurisdiction), national football authorities and integrity units, and—where relevant—UEFA and FIFA integrity/ethics structures.
Corrections and Right of Reply
Authority requires correction discipline. When material errors are demonstrated, FIJF will correct with visible revision notes.
Corrections
We correct factual errors and clarify ambiguous language. Updates are logged when they materially affect interpretation.
Right of reply
Where appropriate, FIJF may invite response from relevant parties before publication or in an update after publication.