FIFA Officials Arrested

KZNSeagull · May 27, 2015

Away from the press conference, the US department of Justice has released a statement to the media saying 14 defendants have been charged with "racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies" over a 24-year period.
Four individual defendants and two corporate defendants have pleaded guilty.
Acting US attorney Kelly T Currie said: "After decades of what the indictment alleges to be brazen corruption, organised international soccer needs a new start.
"It needs a new chance for its governing institutions to provide honest oversight and support of a sport that is beloved across the world, increasingly so here in the United States.
"Let me be clear: this indictment is not the final chapter in our investigation."

There have been strong word too from US attorney general Loretta Lynch.
She said: "The indictment alleges corruption that is rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted both abroad and here in the United States.
"It spans at least two generations of soccer officials who, as alleged, have abused their positions of trust to acquire millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks."

Postman Pat · May 27, 2015

New York Times reporter Matt Apuzzo is one of the New York Times journalists who broke the story. He says more arrests are expected.

Lets hope Mr Blatter will soon be getting his collar felt.

You would think some of those arrested this morning are thinking they are too old to do any jail time, and to try and cut a deal to get a cushy number.

Blue Valkyrie · May 27, 2015

edna krabappel said:
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

Well it removes the need for a boycott I suppose.

edna krabappel · May 27, 2015

Also- depressingly, I don't believe any of this will have the slightest impact on Blatter's election vote. There's a reason he's been in charge for so long, which- dear lawyers- of course has nothing whatsoever to do with a sustained and prolific campaign of bribery disguised as "solidarity payments", "football development advances" and other such thinly veiled gifts to impoverished national associations like Trinidad & Tobago, the Solomon Islands and so on.

My gut feeling is that Blatter will, as always, manage to distance himself from all the arrests, charges etc, and claim that it was all part of his own efforts to make FIFA more transparent, stating further that he is glad to be of vital assistance in such matters for the Greater Good of the game. Then Vanuatu & Swaziland will vote for him as ever, he'll go back to his office minus a few flunkies, and on we'll go in the same old vein.

That said, it's especially pleasing to note that Jack Warner and Nicolas Leoz are amongst those eating FBI Pie this morning, as they've both been particularly notorious in the past when it comes to FIFA (and other international sporting associations) shenanigans. I'd love to see Warner locked up. That man is an absolute parasite.

KZNSeagull · May 27, 2015

Simon Johnson, chief operating officer for England's 2018 World Cup bid, describes today's events as "bombshell news".
"You can imagine the scene, the hotel bar where all the Fifa officials stay, the place where most of the action was going on during the bidding process and the idea of a number of officers wandering up to rooms and escorting Fifa officials out would have been a sight to see," he told the BBC.
On Friday's Fifa presidential election, Johnson added: "I cannot imagine the congress will take place without some sort of statement or discussion about this.
"Quite how they can run as business as normal with six senior officials including current and future members of the executive committee being arrested is amazing to think, it cannot continue as normal."

Ernest · May 27, 2015

No wonder old Sepp doesn't want to set foot in the USA

edna krabappel · May 27, 2015

Brighton4Cambridge3 said:
Fifa HQ this morning...View attachment 65632

More like....

(c/o [MENTION=70]Easy 10[/MENTION])

cjd · May 27, 2015

I would be very surprised if Blatter hasn't already covered his tracks.

As President, he should automatically stand down as all this has happened under his presidency....but of course, we know he wont.

I feel the only way to remove him...and the ridiculous World Cup in Qatar, is for all the major sponsors to face a worldwide boycott of their products from football fans. I wish it were possible to go this way.

deletebeepbeepbeep · May 27, 2015

Attorney General Lynch says indictments suggest Fifa corruption "rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted both abroad and here in the US".

Elvis · May 27, 2015

Gwylan said:
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

Yet if they go down they will be the victims of even more fingering. They either finger Blatter or get fingered by some member of the Aryan Brotherhood. Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.

Blue Valkyrie · May 27, 2015

When does Blatter's convenient 'ill health' start ?

edna krabappel · May 27, 2015

Elvis said:
Yet if they go down they will be the victims of even more fingering. They either finger Blatter or get fingered by some member of the Aryan Brotherhood. Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.

"Well hey there, Mr Warner...can I call you Jackie? You got a real purty mouth. Top or bottom?"

Stuart Munday · May 27, 2015

I remember the good times said:
Time for England to pull out of FIFA

It would never happen because of the money but wouldn't it restore your faith in football if we had the nerve to do this, if we could team up with another country, say Germany for example im sure we could get rid of Fifa once and for all.

franks brother · May 27, 2015

It just feels like a good day to watch this video of Sepp Blatter...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvMPXwqTMto

Vegas Seagull · May 27, 2015

Marvellous, the beginning of the end for those already rich exploiting the Worlds greatest sport for their own good

edna krabappel · May 27, 2015

franks brother said:
It just feels like a good day to watch this video of Sepp Blatter...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvMPXwqTMto

Slips, trips & falls: unfortunately a very common hazard facing people in their seventies, early eighties like Onkel Sepp.

glasfryn · May 27, 2015

Blatter is in charge
happened on his watch
buck stops with him
resign you little snivelling rat

Simster · May 27, 2015

edna krabappel said:
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

To be fair, that might be true!

Quinney · May 27, 2015

Vegas Seagull said:
Marvellous, the beginning of the end for those already rich exploiting the Worlds greatest sport for their own good

Let's hope so.

Doc Lynam · May 27, 2015

Simster said:
To be fair, that might be true!

Also to be fair they have just invaded a European country bringing death and destruction! Still it is FIFA so....

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FIFA Officials Arrested

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