Criminal proceedings opened against FIFA's Sepp Blatter

Swiss criminal proceedings opened against FIFA president Sepp Blatter

By Mike Dyce | Sep 25, 2015

Jun 30, 2014; Salvador, BRAZIL; Detailed view of the FIFA World Cup logo on an official Adidas soccer ball prior to the USA press conference at Estadio Roberto Santos prior to tomorrows 2014 World Cup match against Belgium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

FIFA president Sepp Blatter had criminal proceedings filed against him.

Soccer fans everywhere have long had disdain for FIFA and president Sepp Blatter for their corruption. It looked like the ball began to roll when the United States got involved, and Switzerland has taken it a step further by going directly after Blatter.

On Friday, Swiss criminal proceedings against Blatter were opened on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and – alternatively – misappropriation.

In a release, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland mentions specific claims. There is a reported contract from September of 2005 signed with the Caribbean Football Union, which was led by the incredibly corrupt Jack Warner at the time. Warner of course is the guy lambasted by John Oliver and was reportedly quoted instructing other execs to stuff their pockets with money. The OAG also says this deal “violated his fiduciary duties and acted against the interest of FIFA.”

Other allegations included a “a disloyal payment of CHF 2 Mio. to Michel Platini, President of Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), at the expense of FIFA, which was allegedly made for work performed between January 1999 and June 2002 ; this payment was executed in February 2011.”

The report also says that OAG representatives investigated Sepp Blatter after a FIFA Executive Committee meeting and asked Michel Platini to provide more information. They also searched and seized Data at FIFA headquarters.

FIFA released a statement on the matter.

“Since 27 May 2015, FIFA has been cooperating with the Office of the Swiss Attorney General (OAG) and has complied with all requests for documents, data and other information. We will continue this level of cooperation throughout the investigation,” the statement read.

“Today, at the Home of FIFA, representatives from the Office of the Swiss Attorney General conducted interviews and gathered documents pursuant to its investigation. FIFA facilitated these interviews as part of our ongoing cooperation.

“We will have no further comment on the matter as it is an active investigation.”

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