According to the New York Times, the US Justice Department and Swiss police have arrested “several top soccer officials and extradite them to the United States on federal corruption charges.”
This comes after an investigation by the FBI and US Justice Department as well as an E:60 special on the rise of Sepp Blatter as FIFA President and the dirty tricks he has pulled while running the most powerful soccer organization in the world. It was revealed in the E:60 special that Blatter is avoiding entering the United States for fear of being arrested as a result of the investigation on FIFA. This also comes two days before the FIFA Presidential election where Blatter is favored to win over opponent Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan.
For this sequence of arrests and indictments, the New York Times reported that police entered the “Baur au Lac hotel,” the hotel where many FIFA members are staying as they are attending the FIFA annual meeting in Zurich this week. More than 10 people, not including Blatter, were indicted for charges including wire fraud, racketeering and money laundering. They’re expected to be extradited by Swiss officials to Brooklyn, New York to await trial.
While more info is coming out as we speak, this could potentially be huge in the future of FIFA and world soccer. Depending on who gets arrested, it may be the catalyst the Justice Department needs to get to Blatter. We will update as more info breaks.
UPDATE (12:47 AM ET): The New York Times reports that those indicted include CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb, former CONMEBOL President Eugenio Figueredo and former CONCACAF President Jack Warner. All three are currently or have been on FIFA’s Executive Committee.
UPDATE (1:16 AM ET): The New York Times reports that Costa Rica’s Eduardo Li is another person indicted. He “was led by the authorities from his room to a side-door exit of the hotel. He was allowed to bring his luggage, which was adorned with FIFA logos.” With all the CONCACAF and CONMEBOL names, this may be a result to Chuck Blazer’s work with the FBI.
UPDATE (1:40 AM ET): The AP reports on their Twitter account that six in total have been arrested.
BREAKING: Swiss authorities: 6 soccer officials arrested, suspected of getting, paying millions in bribes
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 27, 2015