Earlier it was reported that FIFA office documents were confiscated in Zurich, in the course of the searches. The press service of the football organization declined to comment. Later, the Swiss prosecutor's office opened a criminal case against "unknown persons" associated with money laundering in the election of the hosts the World Cup in 2018 and 2022.
Today, several high-ranking officials of FIFA in Zurich were arrested on corruption charges and will be extradited to the US, where the country's authorities intend to indict a number of leaders of the organization. The arrest took place on the eve of the Congress of FIFA, where its president will be elected on May 29 in Zurich
The prosecution claims about the scale of corruption in FIFA over the last two decades around the applications for the world championships, fraud with the use of electronic means of communication, marketing and broadcasting deals. The charges also include racketeering and money laundering. According to the Swiss Federal Office of Justice, nine people, who are still in Switzerland pending deportation to the United States, are arrested in the case.
US law enforcement agencies have conducted an investigation against FIFA for several years. According to The Wall Street Journal, the case was developed after the beginning of cooperation with the investigation member of the executive committee of FIFA by the US Charles Blazer. In particular, he gave to investigators records of conversations with members of the leadership of the organization.
After a high-profile press coverage, FIFA conducted an internal investigation regarding the process of selecting the host countries of the world championships 2018 and 2022, which will be held in Russia and Qatar respectively. No violations were found. FIFA also denies reports that President Blatter is not visiting the United States because of fear of the FBI to be questioned in the case of the election of host countries the 2018 World Cup and the 2022 World Cup.
FIFA, according to reports from the organization, in 2011-2014 received more than $ 5.7 billion from the sale of broadcast rights and sponsorship of various football championships.
It turned out that a former member of the FIFA executive committee and head of the Confederation of football in the North, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) Jack Warner (Trinidad and Tobago) received from the FA money and services in exchange for the promised support them in the election. In particular, FA in 2010 to pay the costs for the organization of a reception arranged by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), which is part of CONCACAF. FA costs this amounted to $ 55 thousand. In addition, FA, at the request of Jack Warner, has provided one of his loved ones with work in the UK. FA also paid training camps in the UK football club owned by Jack Warner.
It concludes that, although the process of the election of host countries is in need of improvement, the choice of venue for the championships 2018 and 2022, despite minor shortcomings, was held in full compliance with the rules. "The case is closed," - concluded Hans-Joachim Eckert.
Today, several high-ranking officials of FIFA in Zurich were arrested on corruption charges and will be extradited to the US, where the country's authorities intend to indict a number of leaders of the organization. The arrest took place on the eve of the Congress of FIFA, where its president will be elected on May 29 in Zurich
The prosecution claims about the scale of corruption in FIFA over the last two decades around the applications for the world championships, fraud with the use of electronic means of communication, marketing and broadcasting deals. The charges also include racketeering and money laundering. According to the Swiss Federal Office of Justice, nine people, who are still in Switzerland pending deportation to the United States, are arrested in the case.
US law enforcement agencies have conducted an investigation against FIFA for several years. According to The Wall Street Journal, the case was developed after the beginning of cooperation with the investigation member of the executive committee of FIFA by the US Charles Blazer. In particular, he gave to investigators records of conversations with members of the leadership of the organization.
After a high-profile press coverage, FIFA conducted an internal investigation regarding the process of selecting the host countries of the world championships 2018 and 2022, which will be held in Russia and Qatar respectively. No violations were found. FIFA also denies reports that President Blatter is not visiting the United States because of fear of the FBI to be questioned in the case of the election of host countries the 2018 World Cup and the 2022 World Cup.
FIFA, according to reports from the organization, in 2011-2014 received more than $ 5.7 billion from the sale of broadcast rights and sponsorship of various football championships.
It turned out that a former member of the FIFA executive committee and head of the Confederation of football in the North, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) Jack Warner (Trinidad and Tobago) received from the FA money and services in exchange for the promised support them in the election. In particular, FA in 2010 to pay the costs for the organization of a reception arranged by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), which is part of CONCACAF. FA costs this amounted to $ 55 thousand. In addition, FA, at the request of Jack Warner, has provided one of his loved ones with work in the UK. FA also paid training camps in the UK football club owned by Jack Warner.
It concludes that, although the process of the election of host countries is in need of improvement, the choice of venue for the championships 2018 and 2022, despite minor shortcomings, was held in full compliance with the rules. "The case is closed," - concluded Hans-Joachim Eckert.
