The annual general meeting of FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, was supposed to be a typically elegant affair, conducted in five-star accommodations in Zurich with a pristine view of the Alps and Lake Zurich.
But it started badly with early-morning raids on
Wednesday and the arrests of seven top soccer officials, who are heading to the U.S. to face corruption charges.
Within hours, Swiss authorities announced their own investigation into FIFA.
Here are eight things to know about the latest flurry of scandals involving FIFA, a multi-billion dollar organization in charge of regulating the
world’s most popular sport.
*The Money Involved
There is huge money to be made in soccer. FIFA has stated that it made $5.7 billion (U.S.) revenues from 2011 to 2014.
The American indictment names American and South American sports- marketing executives for allegedly paying more than $150 million through bribes and kickbacks to secure media contracts regarding soccer
tournaments.
*The (Alleged Criminal) Officials
There were seven FIFA officials arrested and another 14 indicted on Wednesday. They include media and marketing executives.
In addition of those 14, four others have already entered guilty pleas, including former FIFA executive Chuck Blazer, who forfeited $1.9 million when he pleaded guilty in 2013.
The seven officials arrested on racketeering charges at the posh Zurich
hotel face up to 20 years prison time if convicted.
The U.S. Department of Justice indicted 14 officials with ties to international soccer, including FIFA officials, on a slough of charges.
*What About Sepp Blatter, The FIFA President?
FIFA’s longtime leader Blatter — often described as the world’s most powerful sports official — wasn’t charged.
He is in his fourth term atop a sports empire that was described by consultant and would-be reformer Alexandra Wrage as “byzantine and
impenetrable.”
*The Time Frame
The American charges deal with alleged corruption over the past two decades. The indictment alleges there were bribes and kickbacks regarding media
and marketing rights and the selection of the host country for the 2010 World Cup.
Much of that case involves Concacaf, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football, which includes Canada, as well as the United States.
The nascent Swiss case deals with the awarding the 2018 World Cup in Russia and 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Both bids were determined at the same time, which critics said opened things up for vote-trading and inducements.
There were reports that one voter wanted $2.5 million for his ballot while another wanted a knighthood.
*Why Are The Americans At The Centre Of This?
American law gives lots of latitude for bringing charges against foreign nationals who live outside of the U.S.
All that’s necessary is some connection to the U.S. That can include things like the use of an American bank or Internet service provider.
The U.S. Department of Justice case is supported by an FBI investigation and includes charges including racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.
The Americans have been investigating FIFA for corruption for some time.
Former United States attorney Michael J. Garcia drew up a report on corruption for FIFA, which the soccer body never released in full.
A FIFA summary of the report said there had been ethical breaches of its code of ethics but nothing that undermined voting integrity.
Garcia slammed the FIFA summary as false, saying it contained “numerous materially incomplete and erroneous representations of the facts.”
The raids on Wednesday were conducted in Switzerland but the suspects are being flown to the United States.
“The indictment alleges corruption that is rampant, systemic, and deep- rooted both abroad and here in the United States,” United States Attorney
General Loretta E. Lynch said.
*The Swiss Role
The Swiss are bound by treaty to hand over people to the United States for prosecution in criminal cases.
Within hours of the arrests, Swiss authorities announced their own probe and raided FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich.
The Swiss officials said they had started criminal cases regarding the bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments.
“In the course of said proceedings, electronic data and documents were seized today at FIFA’s head office in Zurich,” Swiss authorities said on
Wednesday morning.
*The Canadian Championship
It’s still business as usual for the World Women’s Championship in Canada next month.
FIFA officials said on Wednesday that Blatter is still expected to attend.
*The Future
FIFA has weathered plenty of corruption charges and allegations in the past, but this is the first time they have involved U.S. federal charges.
Immediately after the raids, a FIFA spokesperson said the organization looked forward to the opportunity to clean up the sport.
For his part, Blatter is still up for election on Friday for his fifth term as FIFA president.
His only opponent is Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, who called Wednesday “a sad day for football.”
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