FIFA Officials Arrested

[Ernest]

Oh no, if the US authorities are involved, this won't be a slap on the wrist. Judging by some of the charges, if found guilty, they're going to go down for a long time

Unless they turn SUPERGRASS and finger the ones really involved

 

[Gwylan]

Unless they turn SUPERGRASS and finger the ones really involved

There is that but, even then, I reckon some could still go down - even if they do lots of fingering.

This is a four-year, multinational operation, the FBI is not going to do that for a couple of three-month stretches and a few thousand dollar fines

 

[KZNSeagull]

Live coverage of News Conference, if and when it starts: http://www.bbc.com/sport/live/32698190

 

[Postman Pat]

The BBC has seen a statement released by the US department of justice, which says a 47-count indictment was unsealed on Wednesday in New York, charging 14 defendants with racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies, among other offenses.

It says the defendants include high-ranking officials.
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Those are not slap on the wrist offences!

 

[Gwylan]

The BBC has seen a statement released by the US department of justice, which says a 47-count indictment was unsealed on Wednesday in New York, charging 14 defendants with racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies, among other offenses.

It says the defendants include high-ranking officials.
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Those are not slap on the wrist offences!

Here's what the US Organized Crime Act says about racketeering

"Those found guilty of racketeering can be fined up to $25,000 and sentenced to 20 years in prison per racketeering count. In addition, the racketeer must forfeit all ill-gotten gains and interest in any business gained through a pattern of "racketeering activity.""

Should have gone to the UK and used sterling, they'd never have faced those charges here

 

[gripper stebson]

Something quite enjoyable about the fact that is the yanks trying to bring FIFA down!

 

[Official Old Man]

FIFA Statement. Sounds like they are saying they started the investigation. Ohhhhhhh listening to the statement makes me so angry. Pathetic.
Please, someone shut this guy up.

 

[KZNSeagull]

Live coverage of News Conference, if and when it starts: http://www.bbc.com/sport/live/32698190

This has now started for those interested.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

What other organisations could have carried out this out ? Are there equivalent bodies and laws this side of the Atlantic that could have triggered an investigation - or was it just the opportunity presented by Chuck Blazer's tax bills that led to the US investigation ?

 

[CP 0 3 BHA]

FIFA is just an incredible organisation. Rotten to the core but still thinks its completely untouchable. The party line now seems to be that the arrests and investigations have nothing to do with Congress or the Election - so the agenda will proceed as planned.

Breathtaking.

 

[virtual22]

Only Fifa could play the victim card!!!! Absolutely unbelievable.

 

[El Presidente]

they're going to go down for a long time

You've seen Debbie Does Dallas too then?

 

[KZNSeagull]

Question from the floor - Usually when a scandal like this takes place it is the head of the organisation that becomes ultimately accountable, so what will happen to the President?

"The President is not involved so why should he step down?"

 

[Official Old Man]

Time for England to pull out of FIFA

 

[Hugo Rune]

You know you're corrupt when the SWISS government co-operate with the FBI.

Brilliant observation!

 

[Ernest]

This guy at the press conference is something else, if the WC at Russia and Qatar were won by bribery how can they still be held there ? Time for FA etc to tell FIFA and Blatter to do one

 

[Hugo Rune]

If I were a betting man, my money would be on Sepp (the c***) Blatter being re-elected on Friday. I would also think that it will be found that both World Cup bids (Russia & Qatar) won due to profound and astonishing bribes, however, they will both go ahead. This will mean, in my opinion, that membership of FIFA is no longer tenable for the FA. There needs to be a new governing body set up.

 

[edna krabappel]

Another interesting aside: the Russians are now dismissing this investigation, claiming that it's part of a US plot to get them stripped of the 2018 World Cup

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

Electronic data and documents have been seized from FIFA's head office in Zurich.

Fifa HQ this morning...

 

[KZNSeagull]

Another interesting aside: the Russians are now dismissing this investigation, claiming that it's part of a US plot to get them stripped of the 2018 World Cup

Oh splendid! Bur Mr PressConference said that FIFA initiated all of this!