Several top FIFA officials are being arrested and will be indicted Wednesday morning on corruption charges, reports The New York Times.
The officials, who were gathering in Switzerland for their annual meeting, face extradition to the United States, according to the Times. More than 10 are expected to be indicted, however law enforcement officials told the Times that not all of them are currently in Zurich for the meetings.
The United States Justice Department requested the arrests, which the Times reports were made by Swiss law enforcement. Charges include wire fraud, racketeering and money laundering.
The Times reports that FIFA president Sepp Blatter is not among those charged. Blatter is expected to be re-elected as head of soccer's governing body on Friday.
From the Times:
Earlier this month, Blatter denied an ESPN report that he is avoiding the United States because of the FBI investigation and said he will visit the country in 2016.
http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/05/27/fifa-officials-indicted-corruption-charges
The officials, who were gathering in Switzerland for their annual meeting, face extradition to the United States, according to the Times. More than 10 are expected to be indicted, however law enforcement officials told the Times that not all of them are currently in Zurich for the meetings.
The United States Justice Department requested the arrests, which the Times reports were made by Swiss law enforcement. Charges include wire fraud, racketeering and money laundering.
The Times reports that FIFA president Sepp Blatter is not among those charged. Blatter is expected to be re-elected as head of soccer's governing body on Friday.
From the Times:
United States law gives the Justice Department wide authority to bring cases against foreign nationals living abroad, an authority that prosecutors have used repeatedly in international terrorism cases. Those cases can hinge on the slightest connection to the United States, like the use of an American bank or Internet service provider.
Switzerland’s treaty with the United States is unusual in that it gives Swiss authorities the power to refuse extradition for tax crimes, but on matters of general criminal law, the Swiss have agreed to turn people over for prosecution in American courts.
The FBI has been investigating corruption charges against FIFA with regard to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids. FIFA commissioned a report to investigate the bid process but found no improprieties.Earlier this month, Blatter denied an ESPN report that he is avoiding the United States because of the FBI investigation and said he will visit the country in 2016.
http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/05/27/fifa-officials-indicted-corruption-charges