United Passions, a vanity film about the history of soccer’s governing body FIFA, has flopped in the US, taking just $607 in its opening weekend.
The movie was funded by about $25 million of FIFA cash, and was completed before corruption charges were made against 14 of its officials at the end of last month.
Starring Tim Roth as Sepp Blatter, the hagiography of FIFA has had damning reviews.
The movie’s budget was estimated at between $25 – $32 million, with FIFA said to have put up about three-quarters of the money.
United Passions debuted in the States on June 5, on just 10 screens.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the FilmBar cinema in Phoenix reported takings of just $9, meaning only one person bought a ticket.
The movie’s release came as FIFA faces an investigation into allegations of corruption during the bidding process to host the 2010 World Cup.
The DoJ has indicted a total of 14 current and former FIFA officials and associates on charges of “rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted” corruption following a major inquiry by the FBI.
President Sepp Blatter stood down last week, although he faces no charges himself.
United Passions purports to present the history of FIFA through three leaders, and co-stars Sam Neill as Sepp Blatter’s predecessor, Joao Havelange, and Gerard Depardieu, who plays FIFA founder Jules Rimet.
Gerard Depardieu was the only actor who attended the movie’s world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014.
