The Swiss authorities on Wednesday, May 26, launched an operation to arrest the major functionaries of the International Football Federation (FIFA), who gathered at the meeting of the executive committee of the organization in Zurich, according to The New York Times, citing a source in law enforcement bodies. The operation is carried out at the request of the Prosecutor's Office of the United States, which accuses more than ten FIFA members of corruption and numerous violations.
According to the US publication, several people have already been arrested and are awaiting extradition to the United States.
Swiss police confirmed the beginning of the operation, but official information about the arrests has not been released yet. AP reported on the detention of six leading members of the organization.
According to the NYT correspondent Sam Borden on Twitter, he witnessed one of the detentions. According to him, the police officers who conducted the operation were in civilian clothes and were taking out a detainee through a side entrance to the hotel, where members of FIFA were staying. He was not wearing handcuffs and a hotel employee was trying to cover his face with a towel.
The US prosecutors’ charges relate to corruption in the selection of host countries of the world championships, as well as marketing transactions and agreements to broadcast games. In addition, the charges include extortion and money laundering. The American edition of The Wall Street Journal also reported, citing its own sources, that on May 27 the United States prosecutors intend to present formal charges to12 members of the FIFA leadership.
According to the latest data, the detained include two Vice-presidents of the Executive Committee of FIFA - Jeffrey Webb and Eugenio Figueredo, as well as a member of the same Committee Jack Warner. Representatives of the Federation are in Zurich at the annual meeting of FIFA.
"It seems that this corruption has been institutionalized. It seems that it permeates every element of the Federation - it's just their way of doing business," the newspaper was told by a policeman on condition of anonymity.
According to Reuters, trafficking funds to FIFA is more than $ 100 million.
The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for May 29. For the fifth time, the current head of the organization, Joseph Blatter runs for the post. -02D-
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