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THIS MORNING NINE officials of soccer’s governing body FIFA (together with five corporate executives) were taken into custody from a hotel in Zurich, Switzerland (from which they were to attend FIFA’s annual congress) over allegations of corruption, specifically the receipt of enormous bribes totalling $100 million (€92 million).
It’s far from the first time that the word corruption has been used in relation to FIFA, and it probably won’t be the last. But what is the background to these arrests? Who exactly was arrested? Why are the FBI involved? And is it going to make any difference?
Specifically, the FBI, and now Swiss federal prosecutors, are investigating the process whereupon the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively in 2010.
While the holding of a World Cup in Russia is not exactly ideal given the vastness (and remoteness) of that country, the issues with the Qatar tournament are on another level entirely.
Fundamentally, the World Cup of soccer is to be played in a country that is simply too hot to play football in. Which could see the tournament moved from northern hemisphere summer to winter in order for playing conditions to be, well, humanly possible.
So…
Who has been arrested and why?
The 14 men arrested this morning, from the Baur au Lac hotel overlooking the Alps, on charges of “racketeering conspiracy and corruption” are:
Michael S. Schmidt / TwitterFIFA execs not being led out in handcuffs. Very peaceful. Hotel staff meanwhile is freaking out.
— Michael S. Schmidt (@nytmike) May 27, 2015
The five corporate executives arrested are: Alejandro Burzaco (sports marketing), Aaron Davidson (president Traffic Sports USA), Hugo and Mariano Jinkis (principals, Full Play Group), and José Margulies (principal of Valente Corp and Somerton Ltd, broadcasting businesses).
Those with sharp eyes will note that FIFA president Sepp Blatter, hoping to be ratified as president for a fifth term at congress this week, is not on the list.
It has since emerged that two separate legal proceedings are in the offing, the first by the US Department of Justice into allegations of corruption and bribery stretching back to 1991, and the second by Swiss federal prosecutors into the awarding of the Russia and Qatar world cups.
The Swiss investigation is apparently taking place at FIFA’s request, with that request filed in November 2014.
According to FIFA communications chief Walter de Gregorio, the association in this case is “the damaged party”.
Why now?
The most likely reason for the arrests coming now is simply that it is the best opportunity for all these worldwide executives to be in the same place at the same time, specifically the same hotel.
As we’ve said the words FIFA and corruption are not exactly strange bedfellows to each other. If you need a primer in the sort of madness the association gets up to routinely check out this video by comic John Oliver:
The FBI have been mentioned, why are they involved?
The US FBI have been investigating the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 world cups since at least March 2013.
It has been reported that Chuck Blazer, former FIFA executive and no stranger to controversy, is helping them with their inquiries.
Blazer was suspended from football in May 2013 for 90 days amid allegations he received more than $20 million in bribes while general secretary of CONCACAF.
And the US Justice Department?
At a press conference in New York this afternoon US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said that those arrested this morning have “corrupted” the international game.
“They corrupted the business of worldwide soccer to serve their interests and to enrich themselves,” Lynch said.
Kelly Currie, acting US attorney for New York, indicated at the conference that today’s arrests mark the beginning of the investigation, not the end.
The New York Times / TwitterFIFA officials were escorted out behind sheets at the Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich http://t.co/LCuxIyugth pic.twitter.com/1M8SuQMSUu
— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 27, 2015
Is Sepp Blatter worried? Should be be?
While 79-year-old Blatter himself has not been arrested and has no connection with either investigation according to FIFA, this spate of arrests is the last thing the FIFA president needs, particularly with the presidential election looming on Friday.
“The President is not involved so how can you say whatsoever that he has to step down?” de Gregorio told a FIFA press conference on the matter this morning.
He is the President and in two days, there is an election. If the 209 member associations re-elect him, then he is the President for the next four years.
Blatter has ignored the matter on Twitter and thus far has remained silent regarding this morning’s events.
One thing is certain, the FIFA elections are still going to take place on Friday.
Will anything come from this?
FIFA has proved itself to be a very slippery fish over the years, so it’s hard to say. The involvement of both Swiss and US authorities however suggests that this story is far from over, and that real change at the top of football’s governing body is at least a possibility.
The 14 men arrested this morning particularly appear to be in a world of trouble. And when men in positions of power are put to the pin of their collar dramatic changes sometimes happen. Whether that will see accusations rippling up the food chain to the very top remains to be seen.
Finally, any chance the bloomin’ Qatar world cup might be changed?
With the world cup still seven years away anything is possible.
Questioned on the subject this morning Walter de Gregorio said that the 2018 and 2022 world cups will go ahead, but with a caveat.
“The World Cup in 2018 and 2022 will be played in Russia and Qatar,” he said.
What do you expect from us — that we start to speculate and say that with Russia and Qatar we will have to re-do the voting.
Russia and Qatar will be played.
This is what is fact today and I don’t go into speculation what will happen tomorrow.
So there’s still hope it seems…
Originally published 5.30pm. With reporting from the Associated Press.
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Sepp blatter should just step down, everything that happens may it be good or bad to fifa reflects on him.
I don’t think he will ever resign. He will have to be arrested and dragged kicking and screaming
He won’t resign he ll hang on till the death. If he goes ull see a lot more comming out.
Step down, it’s probably far too lucrative for him to do that, who knows how much Qatari money he has stashed away in offshore accounts.
Oh yeah – and Italy deserved to win in ’90 ….Home Game !
GIVE US BACK OUR WORLD CUP FIFIA !
Met them in New York – neutral ground , need I say more !
Bruce Grobbellar for new President of FIFA – He will clean it up !
I think Russia is a great place for a world Cup the winter Olympics was a huge success.
Septic Bladder
Any chance the FBI could get on to their buddies in the CIA to arrange an “accident” for Sepp?
It’s happened to leaders of countries, why not leaders of sports?
FFS Antony. Get a grip.
In Blatters own words, he’s told us to go f ourselves
It took the Americans to do something about the corruption of soccer.
When the bribes come from a country like Russia, you can be sure the US government would like to ‘have a few words’ with you.
It’s ironic in a way seeing as America is probably the most corrupt country on the planet
If you live in Ireland you should no America is not the most corrupt country
Look what they did to banksters etc, they face 20yrs plus 25k fine. Also left open to civil law suites.
America threw the book at Lance Armstrong too
Should we arrange to meet Jean Claude Trichet and Mario Draghi for lunch in Washington some day ?
The video clip above with comic John Oliver is hilarious, most people had suspicions regarding corruption in FIFA but this video really hammers it home in a very funny way.
America may be corrupt, like any other country, but they take white collar crime seriously!..Not many countries tackle it like they do!..from politicians to bankers to sports people!
Say what you will about the states but in fairness, not too many other countries would step in to take action against the likes of Fifa
You’re spot on Ross, America have invaded 72 countries since the end of the second world war yet they are supplying arms and backing an Israeli war against against Iran. Guess how many countries Iran has invaded since the 2nd world war? Zero. Nada. Nil.
Blatter no appear in USA since 2011 I wonder why ???
True Jason similar crossed my mind when Russia awarded World Cup !
@Super Ted
Do you think Iran is a less corrupt country to live in vs the U.S.?
How many?
Coincidence ?
FIFA vote to kick Israel out of world football conveniently blocked by US intervention.
The FIFA corruption crisis came just as its annual congress was due to debate a motion calling for Israel to be suspended from world football.
http://stopwar.org.uk/news/fifa-vote-to-kick-israel-out-of-world-football-conveniently-blocked-by-us-intervention
I heard that about Blatter also Goo. Seems to me that the FBI we’re building a case and may not have wanted to go international with it until they had something solid. If Blatter had visited US on past 4-5 years the FBI could have arrested and detained him for 48 hours just to put the wind up him. On a separate note, re next 2 World Cups I have heard some commentators say that contracts are signed with Russia & Qatar and cannot be changed. Some argued why should Russia & Qatar suffer because of FIFAs corruption but if it’s proven that bribes were accepted by FIFA officials then surely it proves bribes were given by Russia & Qatar. If this is the case then the least that should happen is that the tournaments are taken off both countries and a lengthy ban from taking part in future world cups should follow.
You shouldn’t be asking how many countries Iran has invaded, you should be asking how many countries Iran has proxy armies fighting in.
Super Ted it’s one of the few things the USA and Iran have in common both have sent troops into Iraq
Some line up – I see Jack Warner is in there. Some beaut that fella. The shi$£ is going to well and truly hit the fan here.. Could be like a house of cards tumbling down here.
These people think they are invincible but i so believe in Karma let the music begin, and i doubt that Sett Blatter will come out smelling of roses.
Sepp sorry
Swiss have realised Blatter is a disgrace, and he’s making them and their country look like complete fools.
I hope the Swiss make an example out of him.
It sounds like the U.S. authorities are out for blood!
I hope the weasels spill the beans to save their own skins and land Blatter in a pile of sh!t so deep he’s never able to climb his way out
Awarding Qatar the world cup was the be all and end all, money talks
So basically the Americans have come in and are tearing sh#t up. Fantastic. FIFA has gone to the dogs.
Fifa is rotten to the core.
If vote takes place on Friday nothing will change blatter still in power ! Vote has to be deferred ! Blatter had meeting with African country today who have large vote on Friday stop this charade now football big loser !
Blatter is finished goo, he cannot survive this, in fact FIFA as we know it is finished and may well not survive at all. None of their sponsers will go near them now and there will be more arrests yet. Both of the next two world cups have essentially been delegitimised(if there’s such a word) by this process. The Russian one may survive for political reasons but the Quatar tournament is f**ked and rightly so.
FBI cleaned up the Olympic movement when it was corrupt hope they do the same job on FIFA
Fifa have stunk of corruption for a long long time
Quote of the day (Richard Weber, chief of the IRS criminal investigation)….
“This really is the World Cup of fraud and today we are issuing Fifa a red card.”
Delighted something has been done about this, I’m not a massive soccer fan but this has to be the beginning of the end for a Blatter and his cronies. It pains me to see them get away with this underhanded behaviour for so long. I would love to see UEFA take a hard line stance here and affect real change too.
Amatuer boxing association just as bad . AIBA have given Qatar the world championships this year even though Qatar barely have any boxers with there oen head coach saying “the problem is in Qatar we dont have any boxibg clubs ” !
Knowing blatter he’ll be re elected thanks to bribery
When a twenty year old can earn £100,000 a week for kicking a ball around, you know the world of soccer is corrupt! Starts at the top!
Blatter is a serious meglamaniac
Why is a 79 y o seeking a fifth term as President of FIFA? Surely two terms is more than enough for any normal individual.
And it should be limited to two terms only, by FIFAs own internal operations charter. Current structures foster cosy relationships and we in Ireland know only too well the kind of shyte that flows from such arrangements and the inevitable weak governance that follows.
The effects of inter- organisational back-scratching can be toxic in any sector and I think it won’t be long before Global Corporate Giants jump ship until all this mess at FIFA has been tidied up
Sepp is a glutton for punishment, but he clearly enjoys it for some reason.
Squeaky bum time for Septic Bladder methinks!
So Blatter is completely innocent and is not corrupt. That leaves the only explanation for all the corruption going on in FIFA is that it’s President is actually incompetent and unaware of what’s been going on around him. Corrupt or Incompetent? And this is someone tipped to be President of an organisation for the 5th time on Friday?
Yeah , although reading between the lines at that FBI press conference today this ain’t over – she pointedly wanted to say this was merely the beginning of the clean up and that there is likely more to come – they have 20 year jail terms for those caught and is guess they will be offered plea bargains if they can implicate blatter -
For all of the dodgy dealings of the CIA, you have to tip your cap to the FBI. They relentlessly pursue the biggest names in business, politics and sport undeterred by their status. Much still to be admired in the US.
They have asked for this, really!
The walls are closing in on Sepp
I cant believe it’s not Blatter, can you?
FIFA to go down the Heineken cup route after this has killed it. they’ll have to start afresh with a new association and possibly rebooted World Cup with uefa and the yanks at the forefront and bringing the South Americans along as well. the African and Asian associations stink to high heaven with bribery and all the rest. there’ll have to be a bit of sorting out with these before soccer can get over it.
Can the yanks use RICO im this case?
The chief inference has to be that FIFA corruption is endemic and to resort to cliché, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
FF potential’s
They have to have dirt on blatter ,time will tell he is as corrupt as the rest if not more,may karma come soon to this evil parasite of FIFA,may justice prevail at last sick of his smug face.
The World Cup in Qatar will be a disaster.
Trying to play it in the middle of the domestic leagues, temperatures that most players won’t be able for and fans won’t travel to a country that opposes many civil liberties people have at home.
And it’s all for dirty money in the arse pockets of corrupt officials who are already stinking rich.
Shame that.
thankfully the complicit board and our useless overpaid CEO at the FAI can take the high moral ground on this issue.
they’ve never had an interest in bribes as they are still figuring out how to spend their outrageous salaries that they’ve decided are just about right for themselves.
The voting for the Chief Executive of the FAI is totally democratic and any votes are readily available and transparent…………………
Ahem…………
Why was that fat bollix Sep Fatter not arrested too. He’s the main cause of the the trouble and strife. He should be made retire from Fifa the fat F.uck
Money and power David… Just imagine what Blatter has over all these guys that got arrested this morning…
Fifa make the Catholic Church look good.
Yep , the FBI are gonna rip sepp and the boys a new arsehole . And they had it coming for a long time !!!! Delighted .
John Delaney says he not vote for blatter but vote should still go ahead such tripe john you not clean yourself !
The frustrating thing is we’ll have to wait for blatter to finally die before the real extent of his corruption is exposed
Timing of this is doing a huge favour for Israel. Strange indeed. No argument about corruption, though. Known for years.
Im just Scarlett for them, with all their millions been arrested from a 5 star hotel, how cheap & tacky! Lol
I expect Blatter to resolve this Godfather style, with a dramatic opera as all suspects “disappear”.
Sepp Blatter is only a cardboard cut-out for the real M’fifa who’ve been running international football before he became president. Wonder if Pat McQuaid would be interested in the position when Blatter goes?
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