FIFA has released a statement declaring that it is ‘fully co-operating’ with separate investigations into the organisation.
Nine officials from world football’s governing body were arrested this morning in Zurich, having been indicted by law enforcement in the United States.
The indictment from the department of justice accuses numerous FIFA officials of “engaging in various criminal activities, including fraud, bribery and money laundering.”
FIFA has released a statement declaring that it is ‘fully co-operating’ with separate investigations into the organisation.
Nine officials from world football’s governing body were arrested this morning in Zurich, having been indicted by law enforcement in the United States.
The indictment from the department of justice accuses numerous FIFA officials of “engaging in various criminal activities, including fraud, bribery and money laundering.”
Meanwhile, the Swiss attorney general has seized files from the organisations headquarters, as it investigates persons unknown “on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and of money laundering in connection with the allocation of the 2018 and 2022 Football World Cups.”
Following a Press conference this morning, FIFA has released a statement announcing that it will fully co-operate with any investigations.
“FIFA welcomes actions that can help contribute to rooting out any wrongdoing in football,” the statement begins.
“We understand that today’s actions by the Swiss Federal Office of Justice on behalf of the US authorities and the Swiss Office of the Attorney General (initiated by FIFA through the submission of the file on the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process) relate to different matters.
“Firstly, the arrest of six individuals this morning in Zurich concerns investigations by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of the State of New York. The Swiss authorities, acting on behalf of their US counterparts, arrested the individuals for activities carried out in relation with CONCACAF and CONMEBOL business.
“Today, the Swiss Office of the Attorney General announced that it has opened criminal proceedings against persons unknown in relation to the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup™ bidding process.
“FIFA is fully cooperating with the investigation and is supporting the collection of evidence in this regard. As noted by the Swiss authorities, this collection of evidence is being carried out on a cooperative basis.
“We are pleased to see that the investigation is being energetically pursued for the good of football and believe that it will help to reinforce measures that FIFA has already taken.”