FIFA Investigation: What You Need to Know
Here's what you can expect from the Justice Department's 47-count indictment.
— -- U.S. authorities who unsealed indictments against members of FIFA, soccer's international governing body, announced today that it's "not the final chapter" of its far-reaching, global investigation.
The Justice Department accuses 14 people of corruption and racketeering conspiracy in a 47-count indictment unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Here's what you should know and can expect from the investigation:
What is FIFA?
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association, based in Zurich, Switzerland, is comprised of 209 member associations that represent organized soccer in a nation or territory. FIFA recognizes six continental confederations that help govern the game around the world. The U.S. Soccer Federation is one of 41 member associations of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football, known as CONCACAF, that is headquartered in Miami.
In a statement posted on FIFA's website, the organization said it “welcomes actions that can help contribute to rooting out any wrongdoing in football.”
“We are pleased to see that the investigation is being energetically pursued for the good of football and believe that it will help reinforce measures that FIFA has already taken,” FIFA added.
Who has been charged?
Nine FIFA officials and five corporate executives were indicted today. That group includes two current FIFA vice presidents and the current and former presidents of CONCACAF, Jeffrey Webb and Jack Warner.
Which U.S. authorities are involved?
The Department of Justice, FBI and the IRS-Criminal investigation unit announced the charges.
What’s the latest in the case?
Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly Currie for New York said in a statement: "Let me be clear: this indictment is not the final chapter in our investigation.”
In a news conference today, U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch said she hopes the defendants will be extradited to the U.S. to face trial. Seven defendants, meanwhile, were arrested in Zurich by Swiss authorities at the request of the U.S. A search warrant is being executed at CONCACAF headquarters in Miami, the Justice Department said, adding that the charges "are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty."
Four individuals and two corporate defendants have pled guilty.
Will Sepp Blatter be arrested?
Joseph "Sepp" Blatter, the eighth president of FIFA who has been in office since 1998, is not named in today's indictment. An election that will likely give Blatter his fifth term will take place in Zurich this Friday.
The election is scheduled to go on as planned.
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