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Everything you need to know about FIFA's corruption charges

Reuters

FIFA and corruption have long been intertwined. On May 27, the United States Department of Justice, in tandem with Swiss authorities, attempted to do something about it.

Several FIFA officials, gathering at the lavish Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich ahead of the governing body's presidential election Friday, were arrested in the early hours of the morning on charges put forth following the combined efforts of the U.S. Justice Department, FBI and IRS.

The charges, delivered to 14 officials in total, include corruption and racketeering, and were followed by a later revelation from the Swiss justice department that separate criminal cases have been opened in relation to the bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

The fallout and reaction, as expected, has been both swift and enormous.

Need to know

  • On June 1, The New York Times reported Blatter's top lieutenant, Jerome Valcke, "made $10 million in bank transactions that are central elements of the bribery scandal engulfing international soccer." The report links Blatter closer to the money trail than ever before. FIFA denied the claims.
  • Who, exactly, are the 14 individuals facing corruption, conspiracy and racketeering charges in the United States? Find out here.
  • In reaction to the arrests, FIFA said there will not be a re-vote over the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, respectively.
  • Russian officials, asked about their concern over Swiss federal prosecutors opening separate criminal proceedings related to the awarding of the 2018 World Cup, seem unperturbed, saying that the country has "nothing to hide."
  • Russian president Vladimir Putin then doubled-down, calling the criminal charges unlawful and putting forth his opinion that the United States is attempting to replace Russia as hosts of the 2018 World Cup. "This is another blatant attempt to extend (U.S.) jurisdiction to other states," he said.

Further Reading/Viewing

  • In light of the explosive events and the FBI press conference that followed, Grant Wahl examines where this sprawling investigation goes from here. [Sports Illustrated]
  • Concurrently, Gabriele Marcotti asks the only question that really matters in this attempted takedown of football's diseased, corrupted governing body: Will this lead to real, meaningful change? [ESPN FC]
  • Speaking of the FBI, many have questioned how the American institution has the jurisdiction to arrest officials from an international organization, in Switzerland. Philip Bump explains. [Washington Post]
  • Disgraced former FIFA vice-president and president of CONCACAF, Jack Warner, was one of the 14 people indicted on corruption charges Wednesday. As has always been his stance, he vehemently denied any wrongdoing in light of the latest allegations, saying, pointedly, "I sleep very soundly in the night." [The Associated Press]
  • In the lightest moment of the FBI's hefty, heavy press conference on Wednesday, IRS chief of criminal investigations Richard Weber delivered a cringe-worthy joke that received much scorn – and rightfully so. "This really is the World Cup of fraud and today we are issuing FIFA a red card," he said. Yikes. [SB Nation]

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