The Devil in the Details: Gendered Violence and Corruption in South American Football

The unethical financial practices of global football leaders have become notorious and normalized over the past 50 years, but they are only part of the systemic rot that exists in the foundations—the clubs, leagues, and federations of each FIFA member nation. South American football leaders played an out-sized role in developing these systems, with tragic consequences for women and children. At the same time, they have attempted to improve their global image by claiming to support women's football. While mainstream narratives tend to segregate gender inequities and sexual abuse from financial crimes, this essay, examining the cases of Argentina and Colombia, two countries at the center of the sport, posits that a feminist analysis provides a valuable way to understand, and hopefully reduce, corruption in football.