Ben Affleck, Matt Damon to Produce FIFA Scandal Movie for Warner Bros.

Gavin O’Connor will direct from a script by his “Warrior” & “Jane Got a Gun” collaborator Anthony Tambakis

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are nearing a deal to produce a movie about the FIFA scandal for Warner Bros., which has just won a bidding war for an upcoming book on the infamous subject, an individual familiar with the situation has told TheWrap.

Gavin O’Connor will direct from a script by Anthony Tambakis. The duo previously collaborated on the excellent MMA movie “Warrior” and Natalie Portman‘s upcoming western “Jane Got a Gun.”

The FIFA scandal made headlines around the world and inspired Buzzfeed investigative reporter Ken Bensinger to write the book “Houses of Deceit,” which insiders claim will be the definitive account of the global corruption, as seen through the eyes of American FIFA executive Chuck Blazer.

Blazer had earned the nickname “Mr. Ten Percent” in FIFA circles because that was his rumored cut from the organization’s lucrative TV and sponsorship deals. He admitted to accepting bribes and began working as an informant for the FBI after the government accused him of tax evasion.

Bensinger’s article on Blazer, “Mr. Ten Percent: The Man Who Built — And Bilked — American Soccer,” was published in June 2014. Bensinger recently landed a book deal with Simon & Shuster to expand upon Blazer’s story as more facts have come to light.

Should they close a deal, Affleck and Damon would produce under their Pearl Street Films banner, which is based at Warners. Guymon Casady and Darin Friedman will also produce via Entertainment 360, the production arm of Management 360. Warner Bros. executives Chantal Nong and Cate Adams will oversee the project for the studio.

O’Connor recently worked with Affleck on WB’s thriller “The Accountant” and helped recruit the Oscar winner for the FIFA film.

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