FA chairman returns $32,395 watch to Fifa

Football Association (FA) chairman Greg Dyke has prevented any Fifa sanctions after he returned a £16,000 ($32,395) watch he had received as a gift.

Dyke was given one of a limited edition of Parmigiani watches by the Brazilian FA after attending a Fifa Congress meeting in Sao Paulo during the World Cup — with 65 handed out in gift bags totalling more than £1million.

When the watches were recalled, Dyke initially refused to hand his back having promised to donate it to the FA’s official charity partner, Breast Cancer Care, so that it could be auctioned.

But, with the threat of sanctions if he did not return the watch, Fifa’s ethics committee has confirmed receipt of the item and has now closed proceedings on the matter, a Fifa statement said on Tuesday.

Dyke insisted he was unaware of the value of the gift when he first received it.

Once made aware, he said he would let it be auctioned for Breast Cancer Care, who are looking to raise £500,000 for their cause before next summer.

After six months of legal wrangling, Dyke has now relented and the item has been returned.

Press Association (PA) Sport understands all of the watches will now be auctioned for a Brazilian charity and that Dyke will make a personal donation to Breast Cancer Care.

Source: PA Sport