Six senior FIFA officials were arrested in Zurich, Switzerland, on Wednesday, for allegedly accepting bribes and kick-backs worth millions involving World Cup bids, as well as marketing and broadcast deals, the New York Times reported.
According to the report, those arrested include Jeffrey Webb, Eugenio Figueredo, Jack Warner, Eduardo Li, Julio Rocha, Costas Takkas, Rafael Esquivel, José Maria Marin and Nicolás Leoz.
It was reported sports-marketing executives Alejandro Burzaco, Aaron Davidson, Hugo Jinkis and Mariano Jinkis would also be charged.
According to the report, those arrested include Jeffrey Webb, Eugenio Figueredo, Jack Warner, Eduardo Li, Julio Rocha, Costas Takkas, Rafael Esquivel, José Maria Marin and Nicolás Leoz.
It was reported sports-marketing executives Alejandro Burzaco, Aaron Davidson, Hugo Jinkis and Mariano Jinkis would also be charged.
“The bribery suspects – representatives of sports media and sports promotion firms – are alleged to have been involved in schemes to make payments to the soccer functionaries – delegates of FIFA … and other functionaries of FIFA sub-organisations – totalling more than $100 million,” said the Swiss justice ministry in a statement.
“In return, it is believed that they received media, marketing, and sponsorship rights in connection with soccer tournaments in Latin America,” it added.
It said the officials were arrested at the request of the US government “on suspicion of the acceptance of bribes and kick-backs between the early 1990s and the present day.”
“According to the US request, these crimes were agreed and prepared in the US, and payments were carried out via US banks,” the statement added.
A FIFA spokesperson said the body would not comment on the arrests, and it was still to clarify the situation.
“In return, it is believed that they received media, marketing, and sponsorship rights in connection with soccer tournaments in Latin America,” it added.
It said the officials were arrested at the request of the US government “on suspicion of the acceptance of bribes and kick-backs between the early 1990s and the present day.”
“According to the US request, these crimes were agreed and prepared in the US, and payments were carried out via US banks,” the statement added.
A FIFA spokesperson said the body would not comment on the arrests, and it was still to clarify the situation.
By: Farai Diza
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