A number of high-ranking FIFA executives were reportedly arrested this morning over corruption allegations in a dramatic dawn raid by Swiss police.
Up to ten senior officials from the world football's governing body were arrested on suspicion of corruption in an extraordinary top-secret operation at a hotel in Zurich, according to reports.
It is claimed that the members of the executive committee - some of whom were covered in bed sheets as they were taken away from the hotel - could be extradited to the U.S over the charges.
According to three anonymous police officials quoted in the New York Times, the allegations include wire fraud, racketeering and money laundering.
The arrests, said to have taken place at 6am, involved members of FIFA’s executive committee, which hold significant power and does most of its business largely in secret.
According to three anonymous police officials quoted in the New York Times, the allegations include wire fraud, racketeering and money laundering.
The arrests, said to have taken place at 6am, involved members of FIFA’s executive committee, which hold significant power and does most of its business largely in secret.
One FIFA official was led by the authorities from his room to a side-door exit of the hotel. Others were covered in bedsheets to hide themselves from the public and press, it said.
The arrests took place as officials gathered in Zurich to elect a new president at the FIFA Congress.
Sepp Blatter, the incumbent president, is seeking his fifth term of his election but faces a challenge from Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein in a presidential election on Friday.
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