DOJ charges several FIFA officials, corporate executives with corruption

The most powerful governing body in all of sports was rocked Wednesday after Swiss police raided FIFA headquarters and arrested several top officials and executives.

The New York Times noted that as FIFA officials gathered at the Baur au Lac Hotel in Zurich, Swiss authorities arrested multiple people in connection with an investigation into World Cup bidding.

The U.S. Department of Justice meanwhile unsealed a 47-count indictment in federal court Wednesday morning charging nine FIFA officials and five corporate executives with corruption charges.

The 14 defendants have been charged with racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracies and other related offenses. They are accused of accepting bribes of around $150 million in exchange for kickbacks over the past two decades.

“The indictment alleges corruption that is rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted both abroad and here in the United States,” said Attorney General Lynch. “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. And it has profoundly harmed a multitude of victims, from the youth leagues and developing countries that should benefit from the revenue generated by the commercial rights these organizations hold, to the fans at home and throughout the world whose support for the game makes those rights valuable. Today’s action makes clear that this Department of Justice intends to end any such corrupt practices, to root out misconduct, and to bring wrongdoers to justice – and we look forward to continuing to work with other countries in this effort.”

Despite the arrests FIFA said it plans to go ahead with elections on Friday. President Sepp Blatter, who was not among those arrested, is seeking a fifth term.

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