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FIFA Corruption Arrests: the Developing Story

​Several top-ranking FIFA officials have been arrested in Zurich, Switzerland on Wednesday morning on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and money laundering. Here's what we know so far:
Photo by PA Images

Several top-ranking FIFA officials have been arrested in Zurich, Switzerland on Wednesday morning on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and money laundering. Here's what we know so far:

Sepp Blatter speaks following FIFA arrests

Sepp Blatter spoke at a press conference in Zurich this afternoon, making his first public comments since the arrest of several high-ranking FIFA officials yesterday morning.

The organisation's long-time president acknowledged: "Many people hold me responsible", but asserted that he "can't monitor everyone all of the time." He said those who are "corrupt in football are in a minority, as in society. But as in society they must be caught." Blatter added that FIFA "will co-operate with all authorities to make sure all involved in wrongdoing [are] discovered and punished.

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"The next few months will not be easy for FIFA," he continued. "I'm sure more bad news may follow. But it is necessary to begin to restore trust in our organisation. Let this be the turning point.

"These are unprecedented and difficult times for FIFA. The events of yesterday have cast a long shadow over football and over this week's congress. Actions of individuals, if proven, bring shame and humiliation on football and demand action and change from us all. We can not allow the reputation of FIFA to be dragged through the mud any longer.

"Tomorrow, [at] the congress, we have the opportunity to begin on the long and difficult road to rebuilding trust. We must earn it back through the decisions we make, the expectations we place on each other and the way we behave individually.

"I will not allow the actions of a few to destroy the actions of those who work so hard for football."

Blatter made similar comments following his most recent re-election in 2011, saying: "The FIFA ship must be brought back on the right route. And I am the captain. And I can only do it with your help."

He is still widely expected to be re-elected tomorrow, with both Africa and Asia backing his presidency. However, UEFA President Michel Platini has stated that the "majority of the European associations will vote for Prince Ali," who is Blatter's only rival.

Above: Protesters from campaign movement Avaaz demand Blatter's resignation. Photo by PA Images

Blatter holds emergency meeting

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has held an emergency meeting with representatives from the organisation's six confederations. Among them was UEFA President Michel Platini. The European governing body has publicly called for tomorrow's election to be postponed and has suggested that a change in leadership is now necessary.

However, both the Asian and African confederations are reported to have reiterated their support for Blatter and believe tomorrow's election should proceed as planned. In a statement, the latter said:

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"The Confederation of African Football opposes any postponement of the 65th FIFA Congress and the election for the presidency scheduled May 29, 2015 in Zurich. During the meeting of the federation held May 27, 2015 in Zurich, the FCA reiterated its support for the candidacy of Sepp Blatter in the election."

Vladimir Putin criticise 'meddling' U.S involvement

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his opposition to the FIFA arrests, saying the case has "nothing to do with the USA" and is an attempt by the U.S to "spread its jurisdiction to other states." Speaking on Russian state TV, as quoted by The Guardian, Putin said:

"It looks very strange, the arrests are carried out on the request of the USA side. They are accused of corruption – who is? International officials. I suppose that someone broke some rules, I don't know. But definitely, it's got nothing to do with the USA. Those officials are not US citizens. If something happened it was not in the U.S and it's nothing to do with them.

"It's another clear attempt by the USA to spread its jurisdiction to other states. And I have no doubt – it's a clear attempt not to allow Mr Blatter to be re-elected as president of Fifa, which is a great violation of the operating principles of international organisations. The US prosecutor, as our media report, has already said that those FIFA officials have committed a crime. As if the prosecutor didn't know about the principle of the presumption of innocence.

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"We know the position of the USA regarding Mr Snowden. Who uncovered the practice of illegal actions of the US all over the world including tapping in on leaders of other countries. Everyone discussed that, including in Europe. But no one wants to give him refuge and guarantee his security (apart from Russia). No one wants to fight with their partner, their senior partner – He's a US citizen. What about Assange? Who has to hide for several years in foreign embassy. What's he sought for? Sexual crimes? No one believes that. Because he spread info regarding the actions of the US military, including in Iraq.

"Why do I recall these cases? The U.S use these methods to achieve their self-interested aims. And they do it illegally. They harass people. I don't rule out that the same is happening regarding FIFA. Although I don't know how that will end but the fact it's happening on the eve of the election of Fifa head points to that aim."

Wednesday

Afternoon updates

  • The U.S Justice Department—led by United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch—conducted a press conference in New York Wednesday morning further detailing allegations of corruption at FIFA. The topics covered included:
  • Bribery charges, which are reported to extend to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the 2011 FIFA Presidency, and sponsorship of the Brazil national team by Nike. Lynch said of corrupt officials paying and taking bribes: "They did this over and over, year after year, tournament after tournament."
  • Lynch suggested that "FIFA has a lot of soul-searching to do." She added that the decision on whether the 2018 and 2022 tournaments go ahead in Russia and Qatar as planned belongs to FIFA and is not something the criminal investigation is seeking to impact.
  • Representatives refused to comment on Sepp Blatter or any individual not named in Wednesday's indictment. CONCACAF was described as "an organisation in crisis".
  • The former FIFA Executive Committee member Chuck Blazer was accused of using his position at the organization for personal gain and of receiving bribes and kickbacks. CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb was also mentioned by name.
  • The investigation has found no suggestion that the outcome of games or tournaments was influenced by corruption.
  • Kelly Currie, acting US attorney on the FIFA probe, stated: "This is the beginning of our effort, not the end." Authorities believe more corruption can be uncovered and a continuing investigation will encompass "all aspects of the game."
  • Lynch concluded that the most serious charges are of racketeering — that the accused took football matters and turned them into a criminal enterprise. The maximum prison sentence for this is 20 years; however, each case is different and Lynch would not be drawn on individuals.
  • Blatter has yet to publicly comment on the investigation but has cancelled a planned appearance today (Wednesday) and is reported as likely to miss another tomorrow.
  • Meanwhile, Russia's reaction is reported to be a negative one:

#BREAKING Russia slams 'illegal' use of US law in FIFA probe
— Agence France-Presse (@AFP) May 27, 2015

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What happened?

At 6 a.m. local time, the Swiss Police carried out a raid at the Baur au Lac Hotel in Zurich. The Swiss authorities acted on a request from the U.S Justice Department, which unsealed a 47-count indictment against numerous FIFA officials, including Jeffrey Webb, president of the Confederation of North, Central American, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).

In total, nine FIFA Officials and five corporate executives were arrested. They have been indicted on charges of racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracies, among other offenses. The U.S Department of Justice described the accused as participating in a "24-year scheme to enrich themselves through the corruption of international soccer." The full statement can be found here.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter was not arrested.

In addition to the arrests in Zurich, U.S law enforcement is currently executing a search warrant at the CONCACAF headquarters in Miami.

The Justice Department press release also revealed guilty pleas made by "Charles Blazer, the long-serving former general secretary of CONCACAF and former U.S. representative on the FIFA executive committee; José Hawilla, the owner and founder of the Traffic Group, a multinational sports marketing conglomerate headquartered in Brazil; and two of Hawilla's companies, Traffic Sports International Inc. and Traffic Sports USA Inc., which is based in Florida."

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In a separate case, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) is conducting a Swiss criminal investigation regarding the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. This involves "criminal mismanagement and money laundering" in connection with the allocation of the tournaments, which are scheduled to take place in Russia and Qatar, respectively. More information can be found here.

Who has been arrested?

The big names are Jeffrey Webb and Jack Warner, the current and former CONCACAF presidents, respectively. Warner's name will be the most familiar: he led his federation for more than two decades, but resigned in 2011 amid mounting evidence of corruption and ethics committee procedures against him. He has issued a statement asserting that he is innocent of all charges.

Charles "Chuck" Blazer, an American, is also a key figure. A former FIFA Executive Committee member, Blazer is known to have been working with the FBI since at least November of last year, after being investigated for tax fraud. Much of the charges are thought to stem from Blazer's work with the FBI.

Nicolás Leoz is the former president of the South American Football Federation (CONMEBOL). He was arrested alongside several other South American officials.

How were people arrested on US charges in Switzerland?

From the New York Times:

"United States law gives the Justice Department wide authority to bring cases against foreign nationals living abroad, an authority that prosecutors have used repeatedly in international terrorism cases. Those cases can hinge on the slightest connection to the United States, like the use of an American bank or Internet service provider.

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Switzerland's treaty with the United States is unusual in that it gives Swiss authorities the power to refuse extradition for tax crimes, but on matters of general criminal law, the Swiss have agreed to turn people over for prosecution in American courts."

How has FIFA responded?

A press conference was arranged for 11 a.m. local time in Zurich in which it was confirmed that the upcoming congress and presidential election will go ahead as planned.

Acting as spokesman, FIFA's head of PR Walter de Gregorio argued that the arrests are "a good thing for FIFA," and that they continue the reform process to end corruption in the organization. However, he stated that they had no warning that the raid would take place.

FIFA says that none of those arrested Wednesday morning have been suspended. If they are able to make it to the congress on Friday they can vote in the presidential election.

De Gregorio added of Mr. Blatter: "He's not exactly dancing in his office right now".

How has the football world reacted?

Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, who will face Blatter in Friday's presidential election, described tWednesday's developments as "a sad day for football,'' but declined to comment further [Source]

Former England international Gary Lineker described FIFA as "imploding" and called Wednesday's events "the best thing that could possibly happen to the beautiful game" [Source]

Greg Dyke, chairman of the English FA, said "there must be a question mark over whether the [FIFA presidential] election should take place in these circumstances." [Source]

UEFA, the governing body of European football, said it is "astonished and saddened by the events which have taken place earlier today [Wednesday] in Zurich and is now waiting for additional information". [Source]

This is a developing story and will be updated