6 FIFA officials arrested on suspected corruption charges, face extradition to US — RT News
Reuters / Christian Hartmann
A major Swiss operation carried out early morning raids on senior FIFA officials staying at a Zurich hotel. They’re reportedly facing corruption charges and may be extradited to the United States.
"The bribery suspects - representatives of sports media and sports promotion firms - are alleged to have been involved in schemes to make payments to the soccer functionaries - delegates of FIFA and other functionaries of FIFA sub-organizations - totaling more than US$100 million,"the Swiss Federal Office of Justice said in a statement.
Football’s big shots were staying at a lavish five-star hotel in the Swiss Alpswhere FIFA officials are staying ahead of this week's FIFA presidential election.
New York Times reported they were caught unawares as police entered reception, obtained keys and proceeded upstairs. The arrests were all made quietly – some without handcuffs, others even allowed luggage. Pictures emerged online of the figures being led out under covers to avoid disclosing some identities.
Sepp Blatter, FIFA’s president, was reportedly not on the arrest list, with spokesman Walter de Gregoria telling the AP“He is not involved at all.”Blatter is expected to become sports’ most powerful persona again this Friday, when he secures a fifth term as president.
The Swiss investigation plans to unseal cases against more than 10 officials, the NYT reported.
The paper added that the indictment features the names of 14 officials, citing a government official close to the matter. The total sum received in bribes by the officials over the years allegedly stands at $150 million.
The official confirmed the charges against Webb, as well as Eugenio Figuerdo, Jack Warner, Eduardo Li, Julio Rocha, Costas Takkas, Rafael Esquivel, José Maria Marin and Nicolás Leoz.
Further charges were also expected against sports-marketing executives who were involved in and facilitated the payments. They reportedly include Alejandro Burzaco, Aaron Davidson, Hugo Jinkis and Mariano Jinkis. José Margulies was reportedly an intermediary who facilitated illegal payments.
The BBC reports that it confirmed the names of four of the arrested and they include Eduardo Li, Jeffrey Webb, Jose Maria Marin and Eugenio Figuerado.