FIFA re-elected Joseph "Sepp" Blatter for his fifth presidential term on Friday amid a massive corruption scandal currently rocking football’s governing body.
30 May 2015
FIFA should reform and show that it “can represent the interests of fair play,” said Prince William in a speech before the FA Cup final at Wembley.
The chairman of the English Football Association Greg Dyke told reporters on Saturday that he thinks Sepp Blatter will be forced to resign. Dyke said he did not think FIFA would hold an emergency meeting about the corruption scandal, “I think what is more likely is there will be further scandals. I think he (Blatter) will be then forced to resign.”
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Seven FIFA officials arrested on corruption charges on Wednesday have requested bail on health grounds, Swiss newspaper the TagesAnzeiger reported. The men said they are too old to remain in detention the report said, without indicating a source.
Current allocation of FIFA World Cup™ confederation slots maintained. http://t.co/mGpiRkacu9
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) May 30, 2015
UEFA is part of FIFA, Blatter has said stressing the organizations need each other.
Why were US journos at #FIFA members’ arrest scene - #Blatter asks - WATCH LIVE: http://t.co/50OAJwZH5Ipic.twitter.com/KuMamtRVAz
— RT (@RT_com) May 30, 2015
FIFA President Sepp Blatter says there will be no change to 2022 World Cup which take place in Qatar.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram to FIFA President Sepp Blatter congratulating him on his re-election, the Kremlin said on Saturday.
"The head of the Russian state expressed confidence that experience, professionalism and high authority will help (Joseph) Blatter in future encourage the spread in the geography and popularity of football in the whole world," a Kremlin statement said.
Congratulations to #FIFA President Joseph Blatter @SeppBlatter on his re-election http://t.co/foAcnC6dEN
— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) May 30, 2015
The newly re-elected leader of FIFA Sepp Blatter has said he’s shocked at the way the US targeted football’s world governing body, adding the arrest of its officials and calls for his resignation is “no coincidence.”
Commenting on Sepp Blatter’s re-election as the head of FIFA, Former French football star and the President of the Union of European Football Associations, said the world body needed change, as he urged the federation to win back trust from football fans.
“I am proud that UEFA has defended and supported a movement for change at FIFA,” said Platini, who had backed Prince Ali’s failed bid. “Change which in my opinion is crucial if this organization is to regain its credibility.”
“This is a fundamentally corrupt organization and Sepp Blatter is not the man to change that. This needs root and branch reform,” said Greg Dyke, the chairman of the English Football Association.
The USA Soccer Federation said that its is a “disappointment” considering FIFA's vote to reelect Sepp Blatter for fifth term.
“Our goal is for governance of Fifa that is responsible, accountable, transparent and focused solely on the best interests of the game,” president of the federation, Sunil Gulati said.
The German Football Association (DFB) which supported the FIFA presidency candidacy of Prince Ali voiced disappointment in Friday's vote.
“After the events of last week, a headwind had been felt, but at the end it wasn’t strong enough to bring about the desired change amongst us,” said Wolfgang Niersbach, president of DFB. “We need FIFA to be strong, but that will be unbelievably difficult.”
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is concerned with developments surrounding the FIFA corruption scandal, as it “condemned” the acts of corruption within the federation.
"I am extremely disappointed with the whole situation and the negative effect that this is having on the sport globally and regionally," JFF President, Captain Horace Burrell said.
The offices of three Argentine businessmen believed to be complicit in FIFA corruption schemes were raided by Interpol in Argentina.
Earlier, a judge ordered the arrest of Alejandro Burzaco, Hugo Jinkis and his son Mariano Jinkis, all wanted by US Justice Department.
A new round of indictments may soon follow in the FIFA corruption scandal, after FIFA President Sepp Blatter was re-elected on Friday.
"I'm fairly confident that we will have another round of indictments," Richard Weber, the chief of the IRS unit in charge of criminal investigations, was quoted as saying by The Times.
29 May 2015
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FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke has confirmed that Russia and Qatar will host the 2018 and 2022 football World Cups, despite allegations of foul play in their bids and an ongoing investigation, AFP reports.
The White House said on Friday it had no response to the re-election of FIFA President Sepp Blatter, despite a scandal involving allegations of corruption in world soccer.
"This is a decision for that organization, that's now in some turmoil, for them to make. And we'll let them make it," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. Blatter was re-elected after the only other candidate conceded defeat on Friday. (Reuters)
The next FIFA congress will convene in Mexico city on May 12 and 13, 2016.
FIFA's long-time head Joseph "Sepp" Blatter has won his fifth presidential term after his opponent, Jordan’s Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, withdrew before the voting went into the second round. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Voting will go into a second round after Blatter gets 133 votes to Ali's 73, early results suggest. Three ballots were ruled invalid. For a first-round win, 139 votes were needed. A victory in the second round requires a simple majority.
#FIFACongress DETAILS: Blatter wins first round, gets 133 votes, Prince Ali 73; 6 invalid http://t.co/jTS4UCs39Ipic.twitter.com/Rzgdcgodz3
— RT (@RT_com) May 29, 2015
Voting has concluded in the FIFA president election in Zurich. All 209 delegates from the world's various football associations have cast their ballots. The result is expected to be officially announced on Saturday.
Blatter will be re-elected, but will have to quit early because of the corruption scandal, Italian media believe. Despite the scandal, "only something epic can stop Joseph Blatter from getting re-elected," Corriere della Sera writes. "The throne has shaken, but in spite of everything the 'football kingdom monarch' remains a favorite compared to his adversary."
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Marco Polo Del Nero, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, said he did not plan to resign and "had nothing to do" with corruption, at a press conference on Friday. Del Nero left a gathering of world soccer association FIFA in Switzerland ahead of the group's presidential election, following the arrest of nine senior FIFA officials including former CBF chief Jose Maria Marin. (Reuters)
The vote starts. FIFA delegates are flocking to two booths set up either side of the stage. To gain victory in the first round, two-thirds of the vote - or 139 votes out of 209 - are enough. If this majority is not reached, voting will go to a second round, in which a simple majority will work.
Sepp Blatter has promised to reform FIFA and step down in four years' time. He addressed the congress in French: "You know me already, I don’t need to introduce myself to you. You know who you’re dealing with. I also know I can count on you. We need to recover our good name. We will start tomorrow morning with this goal in mind."
Sepp Blatter takes to the tribune.
“We don’t need revolutions, but we always need evolutions,” he says. “I am being held accountable for the current state. I will shoulder it, I will accept this responsibility to fix FIFA, together with you.”
Blatter al Congreso de FIFA: "No necesitamos una revolución. Necesitamos unirnos" Que opinas??@cableondasportspic.twitter.com/iR2qI4rV2z
— TotalSport (@Totalsportpa) May 29, 2015
"I promise to throw open the doors of FIFA house. I will develop a FIFA development program and that is transparent and upholds human rights," Prince Ali has told the congress as the vote kicked off. "We cannot ignore the clamor outside our doors. Now it the time to show the world that we are hungry for the world’s respect. I call on you to join me."
Principe Ali: "La #FIFA no es una compañia, Incluso las noches mas oscuras tienen un nuevo amanecer" pic.twitter.com/SXe6bfqbKx
— PattyRuiz (@PattyRuizEC) May 29, 2015
FIFA members are about to start casting votes to choose the Association's president. The process is slow, with each of the 209 representatives physically casting their ballot at a booth. They are choosing between the long-standing FIFA head Joseph Blatter, 79, and his 38-year-old opponent Jordanian Prince Ali bin al-Hussein.
New vice-presidents have been sworn in at FIFA's Zurich congress. Among them is David Gill, who promised to resign should Sepp Blatter get re-elected as president in today's vote.
FIFA has voted to create a special committee to monitor Israel-Palestine relations. The committee will keep an eye on movements of football players and football-related goods, as well as territorial matters and questions of racism and discrimination. Earlier, Palestine withdrew its initiative to ban Israel's Football Association from FIFA.
PFA President Jibril Rajoub & IFA President shake hands after the vote! pic.twitter.com/UXduSuQGdb
— Raphael Gellar (@Raphael_Gellar) May 29, 2015
Palestine's initiative to ban Israel's Football Association from FIFA will not be brought up at Friday's congress, the Palestine FA president says. "I was asked to withdraw the proposal, and I am doing it out of respect for my colleagues in FIFA," Jibril al-Rajub said. Palestine is accusing Israel of hampering the movement of Palestinian football players between Gaza and the occupied West Bank, and allows players from Jewish settlements built on occupied land to take part in national championships.
Qatar says it is cooperating with an investigation into its 2022 World Cup bid. “We wish to reiterate that we have fully complied with every investigation that has been initiated concerning the 2018/22 bidding process and will continue to do so, should this be requested,” Qatar's World Cup organizing committee said in a statement.
Swiss police have confirmed a bomb threat was received at the FIFA congress in Zurich, according to local media reports.
Britain's Serious Fraud Office said on Friday it was examining information relating to possible corruption at soccer's world governing body FIFA, which is in turmoil after several senior officials were arrested earlier this week.
"The SFO continues actively to assess material in its possession and has made plain that it stands ready to assist ongoing international criminal investigations," a spokesman said.
The SFO has not launched a formal criminal investigation. (Reuters)
A bomb threat has been received at the FIFA Congress in Zurich, Swiss police have confirmed to SRF News. FOR DETAILS CLICK HERE
FIFA officials arrive for 65th congress and presidential vote http://t.co/hkPwv8YCCC
— Ruptly (@Ruptly) May 29, 2015
Poland has announced its FIFA representative will vote against attempts to get President Sepp Blatter re-elected. On Friday, the Australian and New Zealand football federations said they will also vote against Blatter. While the richer nations are seemly united against the embattled FIFA president, there are many smaller nations who support the acting president. FIFA comprises 209 national football federations, and each one has its own voice.
FIFA president has acknowledged that in case Russia and Qatar were nor granted to host the football World Cup in 2018 and 2022, FIFA would probably have fewer problems now.
Football is not a monster, the incumbent president said. It has transformed into colossal economic movement that creates jobs worldwide.
A pro-Palestinian protester interrupted Blatter’s speech shouting "red card for FIFA." The FIFA president addressed security to have the woman removed from the rostrum.
Pro-Palestine protester interrupts shouting "red card for FIFA". With single word "security" Blatter has her removed pic.twitter.com/T1U6243A7D
— Paul Kelso (@pkelso) May 29, 2015
Speaking at the FIFA conference in Zurich, organization’s President Sepp Blatter stated that he acknowledges responsibility for the developments within FIFA, but called on to the audience to share this responsibility. Calling for unity within the organization, Blatter noted that that it unites 209 national football federations, over 300 million people playing the game regularly and 1.6 billion of those who are related to football in some way. All these people simply cannot be controlled, stressed Blatter.
The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) confirmed on Thursday it would vote for Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein of Jordan at the international football federation’s presidential election on Friday.
“It’s completely unthinkable to vote for Blatter,” NFF president Yngve Hallén told Dagbladet after the decision was announced. “As the situation has evolved in FIFA, the organization cannot be credible with Blatter as leader. The organization needs a new leader.”
New Zealand Football will vote for Blatter’s competitor in the looming presidential election, because a “substantive change is now essential within FIFA as soon as possible to repair its tarnished reputation,” the association has announced.
"The Executive Committee believes that real change can only be implemented with a new president in place, and accordingly, we have opted to support the election of Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein," NZF President Mark Aspden said in a statement.
Brazilian police have launched an investigation into FIFA corruption scandal, after the country's Senate opened a formal inquiry into alleged bribes within the Brazilian Soccer Federation (CBF).
"There is no other alternative. Either these guys all go to prison or they will continue sucking the blood out of Brazilian football until its final death," said Romario, who led Brazil's national team to World Cup victory.
Brazil is one of the figureheads behind the FIFA scandal in which 14 defendants stand accused by the US Justice Department of crimes including bribery, money laundering and wire fraud.
Three Argentine businessmen implicated in the FIFA scandal have been issued arrest warrants by Buenos Aires.
Alejandro Burzaco, Hugo Jinkis and his son Mariano Jinkis, all Argentine citizens, are among five suspects who have yet to be detained. The US wants them for conspiring and bribery to win and keep hold of media rights contracts from regional soccer federations.
An official partner of the governing body of soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean Bank of Nova Scotia, announced it would review its sponsorship of CONCACAF, following the FIFA scandal
"We are deeply disturbed by these allegations involving CONCACAF officials and take them very seriously," the bank said in a statement. "We have zero tolerance for these types of actions from any of our partners."
UK authorities are assisting the US in its probe into FIFA's global corruption. The Independent reports that Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, told the House of Commons that the Serious Fraud Office was assessing evidence to see whether it should begin a formal inquiry.
Meanwhile, City of London Police told The Daily Telegraph that it had “assisted the FBI in the early stages of their investigation.”
Canada has decided not to support Sepp Blatter in Friday's presidential vote at the FIFA Congress, the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup host announced.
Our BoD met and has made the decision of voting for Prince Bin Ali Hussein as we cannot support the current political leadership of FIFA.
— Victor Montagliani (@VicMontagliani) May 28, 2015
"Our (Board of Directors) met and has made the decision of voting for Prince Bin Ali Hussein as we cannot support the current political leadership of FIFA," Canada Soccer President, Victor Montagliani tweeted.
Jack Warner, a former FIFA vice president accused of soliciting bribes as part of an investigation of corruption in the global body governing football, has been granted bail, according to local media.
28 May 2015
Former FIFA vice president Jack Warner, who was charged with corruption, has left jail in in Trinidad and Tobago via ambulance, local media reports.
Pepe Escobar, Asia Times correspondent, told RT that although the meeting (in Zurich) will go on and “Blatter will get most of the votes, the investigations will go on as well, especially Qatar 2022. The Qatar vote we can say with almost certainty it was rigged.”
Washington is not trying to influence FIFA’s internal practices or the choice for 2018 World Cup venue, US Department of State spokesperson Jeff Rathke told a media conference on Thursday.
“The suggestion that we are trying to have an influence over the internal processes in FIFA, that’s not the point,” he said.
Answering a question on whether the US administration has a position on venue choice, Rathke said that the allegations of the US Department of Justice’s indictment show they “don’t have anything to do with that topic.”
The President of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCAFF), Jeffrey Webb, has been provisionally dismissed from his position, the soccer confederation said Wednesday. Webb who was also the vice-president of FIFA was arrested in Zurich as part of the corruption scandal. Senior Vice President Alfredo Hawit has been named as Webb’s successor.
Banks implicated in #FIFAgate—BoA, Citigroup, Espirito Santo, JPMorgan, Julius Baer, HSBC, UBS http://t.co/26onow7h10
— Ian Fraser (@Ian_Fraser) May 28, 2015
“It is necessary to begin to restore trust in our organization. Let this be the turning point," Blatter said during the FIFA Congress opening ceremony.
The congress has "the opportunity to begin on what will be a long and difficult road to rebuilding trust," Blatter said.
How FIFA/Corruption has been trending on Twitter these 18 hours.
Swiss authorities said that all seven individuals arrested on corruption charges in a probe linked to soccer's governing body, FIFA, will contest their extradition to the United States.
On Wednesday, one individual had indicated he would not fight extradition, paving the way for Swiss officials to hand him over to U.S. authorities immediately.
Ingrid Ryser, a spokeswoman for Switzerland's federal office of justice declined to name the person, or elaborate on the reason for reversing his view on extradition. (Reuters)
UEFA head Michel Platini says the vast majority of UEFA member associations will vote for Sepp Blatter's opponent in Friday's election, Jordan's Prince Ali bin Hussein. In a media address, he said: "People don't need a president like Blatter. FIFA is not as strong as it used to be. It needs a new president. Enough with Blatter." Platini says Europe will give Ali a minimum of 45 votes, but he hopes for 53.
UEFA will not boycott the Thursday and Friday FIFA congress, says the head of the Football Association of Ireland John Delaney. He told the media that was the decision taken at the UEFA meeting in Warsaw on Thursday. The election of FIFA’s president is scheduled for the second day of the congress, although earlier the UEFA secretary-general said the election should be postponed.
Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko told journalists Russia "had not fouled anyone and had won the right to host the 2018 soccer World Cup honestly."
Speaking to the media about the investigation into the bidding process, he said: "Maybe someone would not like to see a strong Russia, but we are ready to host the World Cup as early as tomorrow, and we can do it just as well as England."
Head of European football federation UEFA has called on FIFA President Sepp Blatter to resign. Meanwhile, Blatter is chairing an emergency meeting with representatives from FIFA's six confederations. The meeting was called "to discuss the current situation," a FIFA representative said, and it goes ahead without two members who were among those arrested Wednesday.
South Africa's Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula denied all allegations that his country had paid bribes to secure the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. All the 2010 funds were properly accounted for and audited.
"Our financial records and books for the 2010/2011 financial year and those before and after the World Cup have been audited by the Auditor General of South Africa and no such amount has been found," Mbalula told journalists.
The UEFA meeting in Warsaw has ended. Prince Ali bin al-Hussein was met with a warm welcome, according to CNN. Blatter was invited, but did not attend. This tweet shows a picture of the room before the meeting took place.
UEFA Confederation Meeting about to begin. pic.twitter.com/LgSAIo7CHs
— Renske Bruinsma (@RenskeBruinsma) May 28, 2015
Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko says there is "no risk" of Russia losing the right to host the 2018 soccer World Cup after Swiss investigators opened a criminal investigation into the bidding process.
"There is no risk of losing the World Cup," Mutko was quoted as saying by RIA news agency. (Reuters)
British Prime Minister David Cameron is “squarely behind” the English Football Association's support for FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, the PM's spokesperson announced.
South Africa's sports minister, Fikile Mbalula, says that all 2010 World Cup funds have been accounted for and audited.
"Our financial records and books for the 2010/2011 financial year and those before and after the World Cup have been audited by the Auditor General of South Africa and no such amount has been found," Mbalula told journalists.
The South African government has yet to receive and indictment from US prosecutors involving South Africans.
Information about Swiss citizens employed by FIFA being banned from leaving the country does not reflect the actual situation, TASS cited the football organization’s press service. British media, which was first to report this information, has also alleged that FIFA’s President Sepp Blatter could be interviewed by Swiss authorities “within days,” the Daily Mail reported, citing “sources in Zurich.”
Human Rights Watch (HRW) maintains FIFA’s next president must ensure that a country hosting future World Cup events complies with fundamental human rights regulations and financial transparency.
The next FIFA president needs to deal directly with crises – including human rights abuses and corruption – that are undermining the foundations of football’s management," HRW's director of Global Initiatives Minky Worden said.
Countries competing to host the World Cup should "play by the rules," Worden said in a statement published on HRW’s website a day ahead of the FIFA presidential election on May 29.
Diego Maradona expressed satisfaction at the arrests of the FIFA officials, most of whom represent Latin America.
“They hate soccer. They hate transparency. Enough shady dealings! Enough lying to the people,” the former player told an Argentinian radio station.
“They called me mad but thankfully today the truth is out and I am enjoying it,” said Maradona, who has been in conflict with FIFA bosses for years.
Visa Inc. is planning to reassess its long-standing FIFA sponsorship if the World Cup’s governing body fails to deal with the US corruption allegations.
"Our disappointment and concern with FIFA in light of today’s developments is profound," Visa said in a statement on Wednesday. "We expect FIFA to take swift and immediate steps to address these issues within its organization. This starts with rebuilding a culture with strong ethical practices in order to restore the reputation of the game for fans everywhere," the statement says.
President Joseph ‘Sepp’ Blatter is not going to address FIFA conference due to the corruption scandal in the agency, Jiri Dvorak, special adviser to FIFA's medical committee, told the gathering.
"President Blatter apologizes for not being able to come today because of the turbulence you have heard about... he has to fulfill his duties as president managing the situation, which is more important," Dvorak said.
Today's UK front pages #FIFApic.twitter.com/3gxLsbthkW
— InsideWorldFootball (@insidewldftball) May 28, 2015
The arrest of senior FIFA officials in Switzerland on US corruption charges has brought disrepute to the game and let down football fans around the world, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said on Thursday.
“There is something deeply wrong at the heart of FIFA and international football needs to reform, needs to get its act together,” Hammond told BBC TV.
Britain, a constant critic of FIFA, lost the bid for the 2018 World Cup to Russia.
France’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said that it “would make sense” to postpone the FIFA presidential vote in the light of the ongoing corruption investigation involving.
"It's been several years that there have been accusations of corruption. It would make sense to take a bit of time, see what’s true and what’s not, and then the authorities can adjudicate. But for now, it's giving a disastrous image," Fabius told France Inter radio.
Costa Rica has opened an investigation into the country’s football federation chief, Eduardo Li, who was among the seven FIFA executives arrested in Switzerland.
“The investigation opened today aims to determine whether the hypothesis of the US Department of Justice probe related to a case of money laundering and corruption involving Eduardo Li...can be corroborated,” the country’s public prosecutor’s office said.
Meanwhile the national tax office is “not just going to sit around waiting,” the agency’s deputy director general said. “We're going to investigate fraud, money movements, whatever.”
27 May 2015
US sports company, Nike Inc, said that it is cooperating with authorities on the alleged bribery and corruption at football governing body FIFA. The indictment mentions an unnamed sports company that appears to be Nike, Reuters reported.
"Like fans everywhere we care passionately about the game and are concerned by the very serious allegations. Nike believes in ethical and fair play in both business and sport and strongly opposes any form of manipulation or bribery. We have been cooperating, and will continue to cooperate, with the authorities," the company said in a statement.
Paraguay says it has received an extradition request for Nicolas Leoz as part of the corruption investigation into FIFA.
Leoz was the president of CONMEBOL, the South American football confederation, between 1986 and 2013, resigning two years ago due to heath issues.
The South African Football Federation (SAFA) said allegations the country promised a $10-million bribe to a former FIFA vice president to win its 2010 World Cup bid are “baseless and untested and we request proof from anyone who has evidence to the contrary to come forward."
"Our bid campaign ... was run, by among others, the late President Nelson Mandela and former president Thabo Mbeki and several government ministers, who are men of integrity," Dominic Chimhavi, SAFA director of communications, said.
Sepp Blatter says he welcomes the investigation, and has claimed that FIFA itself helped to kick-start the Swiss inquiry with its own voluntarily-submitted dossier.
“As unfortunate as these events are, it should be clear that we welcome the actions and the investigations by the US and Swiss authorities and believe that it will help to reinforce measures that FIFA has already taken to root out any wrongdoing in football,” the FIFA president said on the football body’s official website.
“While there will be many who are frustrated with the pace of change, I would like to stress the actions that we have taken and will continue to take. In fact, today’s action by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General was set in motion when we submitted a dossier to the Swiss authorities late last year.”
South America’s football confederation, CONMEBOL, released a statement saying that there is no place for corruption in football.
It vowed to “support unreservedly the investigations underway into FIFA, CONMEBOL ... and other organizations regarding alleged wrongdoing.”
FIFA's ethics committee has suspended 11 members of the organization, pending the results of the US investigation. In the meantime, the officials implicated will not be able to participate in football-related activities either on behalf of FIFA or their national federations, which include voting in the scheduled presidential election.
“The charges are clearly related to football and are of such a serious nature that it was imperative to take swift and immediate action. The proceedings will follow their course in line with the FIFA Code of Ethics,” said committee chairman Hans-Joachim Eckert in a statement published on the FIFA website.
Europe’s football regulatory body UEFA has asked FIFA to postpone its presidential election scheduled for this week. Its General Secretary Gianni Infantino repeated a statement made by US officials about “showing FIFA the red card” and said UEFA may boycott the congress in Geneva en-masse, following this morning’s arrests, according to AP.
“We strongly believe the FIFA Congress should be postponed with new FIFA presidential elections to be organised within the next six months,” Infantini told journalists at the Sheraton hotel in Geneva.
Costa Rica's President Luis Guillermo Solís says he is surprised by the FIFA corruption scandal, adding that he hopes his country's name will not be included.
The organizing committee of the 2018 World Cup in Russia said it’s ready to cooperate with the relevant authorities investigating the bidding for the World Cups in 2018 and 2022.
The detention of high-ranking football officials in Switzerland at the US’s request “raises a lot of questions,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Aleksandr Lukashevich, said in statement.
"Without going into details about the charges that have been brought up, we point to the fact that this is another case of the illegal extraterritorial application of US laws," he said.
Moscow expressed hopes that the arrests will not be used to tarnish FIFA’s image, and will not cast a shadow on the organization’s decisions, including those regarding personnel.
"Once again, we urge Washington to stop trying to set itself up as a judge far outside its borders and to follow the generally accepted international legal procedures," the statement said.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has said the corruption investigation is "very important."
"I don't think it will be damaging to Brazil, and Brazilian football can only benefit from it. If they have to investigate Brazil's bid for the World Cup, they should investigate all the bids," she said.
According to the US indictment, senior government officials in South Africa arranged a $10 million bribe to ensure that members of FIFA's executive committee backed South Africa instead of Morocco.
The Swiss Justice Ministry says six of the seven arrested in Zurich are opposing their extradition to the US.
"For those individuals who are contesting extradition, the (justice ministry) will now ask the US to submit formal extradition requests within the 40-day period provided for in the bilateral extradition treaty," the ministry's statement said.
The ministry did not mention any names.
The DOJ reaffirmed its commitment to the investigation in a tweet.
AG Lynch: DOJ is determined to end these practices; to root out corruption; & to bring wrongdoers to justice. #FIFAhttp://t.co/V0oIz5rm0E
— Justice Department (@TheJusticeDept) May 27, 201
The US Department of Justice press conference has come to a close.
Currie said the "racketeering enterprise impacted the United States in a number of ways," adding that CONCACAF's headquarters has been in the US for many years.
"This is a global investigation, we live in a global marketplace" he said. "This is really no different."
Currie stressed that a lot of developing countries depend on FIFA grants for expanding soccer within their nations. He said that when money is taken out of that pot, such programs pay the price.
During the press conference, US Attorney General Lynch confirmed that the US is seeking to extradite nine FIFA officials indicted for conspiracy and corruption.
"The ultimate victim is soccer at large. It's the fans, it's the organizations," Currie said.
This table, tweeted by the Justice Department, provides a more visual explanation about the investigation.
AG Lynch: Arrested FIFA officials corrupted soccer to serve their interests, enrich themselves http://t.co/V0oIz5rm0Epic.twitter.com/MkVolQNRSC
— Justice Department (@TheJusticeDept) May 27, 2015
"What we've seen in the indictment is that certain marketing companies and corporate entities have taken guilty pleas," Currie said.
"I think FIFA has a lot of soul-searching to do as it tries to monitor itself and improve the way it does business," Lynch said.
"The most serious charges are the racketeering charges," Lynch said, adding that the maximum sentence for that crime is 20 years in jail.
"We will try to apprehend the remaining defendants," Lynch said of those who have been named in the case but not arrested.
She said if they are in the US, they will be brought to New York. If not, then extradition processes will be generated.
"The marketing companies themselves, openly and notoriously among the co-conspirators, were paying bribes to keep the contract they had an extend those," Currie said during the Q&A session.
"There were discussions about bribes, there were bribes paid, and then there were documents created to cover up those payments," Lynch said.
The DOJ alleged that Jack Warner diverted bribes for personal use.
Lynch said the indictment was not timed to coincide with the FIFA presidential election.
"This is the World Cup of fraud, and today we are issuing FIFA a red card," Weber said. His comment was met with laughter from journalists.
When asked about Blatter during the Q&A section, Lynch said she was unable to comment on his situation.
"Whether you call it soccer or football, the fans, players, and sponsors around the world who love this game should not have to worry about officials corrupting their sport," IRS Criminal Investigation Chief Richard Weber said.
"This sort of bribery and corruption in international soccer has been going on for two decades. Our investigation...that itself took years," Mr Currie said before leaving the podium.
The game was "hijacked," the football field made "tilted" following the corruption, the FBI's James Comey said.
“This hijacking is being met with a very aggressive prosecutorial response in order to change behavior and send a message," he said.
The bribes were often funneled through intermediaries who assisted the defendants in disguising the bribes, Currie continued.
Corruption also took place surrounding 2011 FIFA presidential election, Currie said.
Defendant Jeffrey Webb, along with other defendants, used his position to solicit and collect bribes from sports marketing executives who needed his support, Currie said during the press conference.
Acting US Attorney Kelly Currie said that greed allowed the defendants to exploit their positions for cash.
According to Lynch, $110 million in bribes were related to next year's Copa América Centenario alone. The event is to be held in the US.
"The defendants planned aspects of this long-running scheme during meetings here in the US," Lynch continues.
The individuals and organizations under investigation were "expected to uphold the rules that keep soccer honest and protect the integrity of the game. Instead, they corrupted the business of worldwide soccer to serve their interests and to enrich themselves." Lynch said.
US Attorney General Loretta Lynch has begun the press conference.
The US Department of Justice press conference will begin in two minutes.
The hashtag #whereissepp is trending, with Twitter users speculating about where Sepp Blatter is, as the FIFA president has not yet commented on the arrests.
#WhereIsSepppic.twitter.com/hEc40LsJFg
— DJ DuOne (@DjDuOne) May 27, 2015
Stay tuned for live updates from the US Department of Justice press conference, scheduled to begin at any moment.
FBI officers can be seen outside the CONCACAF building in Miami, Florida.
FBI agents may stay longer than expected in @Concacaf offices in Miami Beach #EscandaloFIFApic.twitter.com/MA1Xylw1RA
— Antonio Puesan (@antoniopuesan) May 27, 2015
Investigative journalist Tony Gosling joins RT
Adidas has called on FIFA to do more to establish transparency standards.
"The Adidas group is fully committed to creating a culture that promotes the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we expect the same from our partners," Adidas said in an emailed statement, as reported by Reuters.
"Following today's news, we can therefore only encourage FIFA to continue to establish and follow transparent compliance standards in everything they do."
The company, which is signed up as a FIFA sponsor until 2030, said it will continue to support the game on all levels, but did not elaborate.
The "extradition process involving Jack Warner" has reportedly begun.
BREAKING: AG confirms extradition process involving Jack Warner has begun.
— Sampson Nanton (@samnanton) May 27, 2015
The US Department of Justice's press conference is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. GMT.
Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Blatter's challenger in Friday's FIFA presidential election, says the crisis within the organization "cannot continue."
We cannot continue with the crisis in FIFA, a crisis that has been ongoing and is not just relevant to the events of today.
— Ali Bin Al Hussein (@AliBinAlHussein) May 27, 2015
FIFA needs leadership that governs, guides and protects our national associations.
— Ali Bin Al Hussein (@AliBinAlHussein) May 27, 2015
Leadership that accepts responsibility for its actions and does not pass blame.
— Ali Bin Al Hussein (@AliBinAlHussein) May 27, 2015
Leadership that restores confidence in the hundreds of millions of football fans around the world.
— Ali Bin Al Hussein (@AliBinAlHussein) May 27, 2015
He stated earlier on Wednesday that today is a "sad day for football."
Brazil soccer president Marco Polo Del Nero has blamed disgraced former FIFA executive committee member Ricardo Teixeira for the marketing contracts which have been described as corrupt by US authorities.
Del Nero, who succeeded Teixeira as Brazil's delegate on the FIFA executive committee in 2012, says "there are no contracts" named in the American bribery investigation case signed since Teixeira left office.
According to the US Justice Department, the case includes bribery linked to commercial deals for national Brazil Cup matches and the national team's contract with Nike.
According to Del Nero, Teixeira and his former father-in-law, Joao Havelange, took tens of millions of dollars in kickbacks from World Cup marketing deals before FIFA's marketing agency, ISL, went bankrupt in 2001. Havelange was FIFA president for 24 years.
“Today’s announcement should send a message that enough is enough,” said Acting US Attorney Kelly Currie.
“After decades of what the indictment alleges to be brazen corruption, organized international soccer needs a new start..."
Chuck Blazer, who served as the most senior American official for nearly two decades, was among those whose guilty pleas were unsealed by US authorities earlier on Wednesday.
Blazer had pocketed millions of dollars in marketing commissions and avoided paying taxes. He has been a cooperating witness for the FBI since leaving the sport in 2013 and has forfeited almost $2 million.
US officials say guilty pleas were also given by Daryan Warner and Daryll Warner, the sons of former senior FIFA official Jack Warner of Trinidad and Tobago; and Jose Hawilla, an executive of the Brazil-based sports marketing firm Traffic Sports.
Hawilla has agreed to forfeit over $151 million, according to the officials.
They face maximum jail terms of 20 years for "the RICO conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, money laundering and obstruction of justice charges."
Transparency International's managing director, Cobus de Swardt, said in a statement: “The warning signs for FIFA have been there for a long time. FIFA has refused to abide by many basic standards of good governance that would reduce the risk of corruption."
“These scandals have taken place under Sepp Blatter’s watch, which spans almost two decades. For the sake of the fans, and good governance of football, it is time for him to step down. The elections for president are not credible if they are tainted with these allegations by the highest prosecuting authorities."
“Blatter must stand down and new elections called to mark a new era of Fifa leadership. At the same time there must be full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest and the pay of the executive committee members. Their hands need to be clean and seen to be clean.”
Transparency International has said in a press release that Blatter must stand down and FIFA presidential elections must be suspended.
#FIFA scandal: read our statement on why Blatter should step down and presidential elections should be suspended: http://t.co/OdEhLG8amW
— Transparency Int'l (@anticorruption) May 27, 2015
Wolfgang Niersbach, president of the German Football Association, has called the events in Zurich "shocking and harmful for the world of football."
"It would be terrible if the severe accusations against members of FIFA are proved to be correct," he added.
For all the latest details on the FIFA arrests, visit the full story at RT.com.
Jack Warner, a former top Fifa official who was among those indicted, has issued a statement.
Here is an excerpt:
"I have been afforded no due process and I have not even been questioned in this matter. I reiterate that I am innocent of any charges. I have walked away from the politics of world football to immerse myself in the improvement of lives in this country where I shall, God willing, die."
"The actions of Fifa no longer concern me. I cannot help but note however that these cross-border coordinated actions come at a time when Fifa is assembled for elections to select a President who is universally disliked by the international community."
Press Release by Jack Warner http://t.co/YEW9JqpUb3
— Jack Warner (@jackwarnertt) May 27, 2015
A spokesman for European football body UEFA says its executive committee will discuss whether to call for a postponement of FIFA's presidential election on Friday. The organization is supporting Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan.
Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney told BBC that Ireland will vote against FIFA president Sepp Blatter at Friday's election.
FA president Greg Dyke said his organization will also vote against Blatter. "We would vote for Prince Ali. We were one of the people who nominated him to stand against Blatter and we would vote for him if the election does go ahead...but I'm not certain it will go ahead in these circumstances...things are happening very fast."
News of the arrests come just one day after a poll by Transparency International and Forza football showed that 69.2 percent of 35,000 fans polled have no confidence in FIFA.
FIFA spokesman De Gregorio said "the stress factor is a little bit higher than it was yesterday...but he [FIFA president Blatter] knows he was not involved."
At the Miami CONCACAF raid, agents carried cardboard boxes into the building which could be used to hold evidence gathered from the scene, AP reported.
Afshin Rattansi, host of RT's 'Going Underground,' gives his take on the FIFA scandal.
The #FIFA hashtag is currently the top trending term on Twitter, worldwide.
Follow RT's on-air coverage of the FIFA scandal.
If you missed the FIFA press conference, you can view it here.
Only two people arrested in the FIFA corruption case have charges relating to voting for the competition’s venue in 2018 and 2022. These individuals didn’t vote for Russia, Vyacheslav Koloskov, ex-vice-president of FIFA, said.
“This is not good in terms of image or reputation but in terms of cleaning up everything we did over the past four years, this is good,” FIFA’s chief spokesman, Walter De Gregorio, told reporters.
The chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), John Delaney, told RTE Radio One that the FIFA arrests seem "like something out of a mafia movie," adding that the news is "shocking and very saddening."
FIFA says the arrests are a "difficult moment," but Blatter will not step down, and upcoming World Cups will go ahead as planned.
FBI Director James Comey said that the defendants "fostered a culture of corruption and greed that created an uneven playing field for the biggest sport in the world."
"Undisclosed and illegal payments, kickbacks, and bribes became a way of doing business at FIFA," he added.
The Swiss Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) says it has blocked accounts at several banks in Switzerland in connection with the case.
"Further to three US requests for legal assistance, the FOJ has also ordered the blocking of accounts at several banks in Switzerland through which bribes are claimed to have flowed as well as the seizure of related bank documents," the office said in a statement.
FIFA spokesman Walter De Gregorio said FIFA president Sepp Blatter "was not exactly dancing around his office," but was relaxed, Sky News reported.
The Switzerland arrests took place after more than a dozen plain-clothed Swiss police officers arrived unannounced at the Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich.
"The defendants also include US and South American sports marketing executives who are alleged to have systematically paid and agreed to pay well over $150 million in bribes and kickbacks to obtain lucrative media and marketing rights to international soccer tournaments," the Department of Justice website says.
The chairman of England's Football Association, Greg Dyke, has described the incident as "very serious for FIFA and its current leadership."
The US Department of Justice announced the indictments on Twitter.
Nine FIFA Officials and Five Corporate Executives Indicted for Racketeering Conspiracy and Corruption http://t.co/7SvYgNmlaN
— Justice Department (@TheJusticeDept) May 27, 2015
US Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch says "the indictment alleges corruption that is rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted both abroad and here in the United States,” as quoted by The New York Times.
A statement from FIFA has been posted online.
FIFA statement following today's press conference is available now on http://t.co/sool5M7508 here - http://t.co/zOrNLI7ppC
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) May 27, 2015
Swiss Attorney-General's office says electronic and other information and documents were seized from FIFA's headquarters as part of the investigation.
The Swiss Federal Office of Justice says seven individuals are in detention, pending extradition.
Authorities are executing a search warrant at the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) headquarters in Miami, Florida, according to the US Department of Justice.
The US Justice Department posted on its website that nine FIFA officials and nine corporate executives have been indicted for racketeering conspiracy and corruption.
It added that the arrests are in connection with the defendants' participation "in a 24-year scheme to enrich themselves through the corruption of international soccer. The guilty pleas of four individual defendants and two corporate defendants were also unsealed today."
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has announced it has opened criminal proceedings against the officials on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and money laundering, in connection with teh 2018 and 2022 Football World Cups.
"In the course of said proceedings, electronic data and documents were seized today at FIFA's head office in Zurich," the Swiss government said on its official website.
A massive US investigation has led to an early morning raid by Swiss police on senior football officials staying at a Zurich hotel. The suspects face federal corruption charges and may be extradited to the United States, The New York Times reported.