ZURICH — Swiss authorities conducted an extraordinary early-morning operation here Wednesday to arrest several top soccer officials and extradite them to the United States on federal corruption charges.
As leaders of FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, gathered for their annual meeting, more than a dozen plain-clothed Swiss law enforcement officials arrived unannounced at the Baur au Lac hotel, an elegant five-star property with views of the Alps and Lake Zurich. They went to the front desk to get keys and proceeded upstairs to the rooms.
The arrests were carried out peacefully. One FIFA official, Eduardo Li of Costa Rica, was led by the authorities from his room to a side-door exit of the hotel. He was allowed to bring his luggage, which was adorned with FIFA logos.
The charges, backed by an F.B.I. investigation, allege widespread corruption in FIFA over the past two decades, involving bids for World Cups as well as marketing and broadcast deals, according to three law enforcement officials with direct knowledge of the case.
The law enforcement official said the soccer officials charged are Jeffrey Webb, Eugenio Figueredo, Jack Warner, Eduardo Li, Julio Rocha, Costas Takkas, Rafael Esquivel, José Maria Marin and Nicolás Leoz.
“We’re struck by just how long this went on for and how it touched nearly every part of what FIFA did,” said a law enforcement official. “It just seemed to permeate every element of the federation and was just their way of doing business. It seems like this corruption was institutionalized.”
[New York Times]
After rounding up those scoundrels, they should move to CAF and start with one foolish character called Issa Hayatou, who thinks Africa is West Africa and West Africa is Africa.
How can a normal person lead an organization that awards 4 AFCONs in a row to be hosted by one region.
I am not inviting any worms to come out of their cans with this invitation to FBI agents into Africa. When some people start surrounding you or a certain aspect, start smelling rats or the Coffee that is brewing in the pot where they are advancing.
Yes I get it we all want Hayatou out of CAF. But what is it with this your obsession with West Africa. Hayatou is not even from west africa, he’s from Central Africa(you get that now shey?)
It seems you’ve forgotten that there is a process of awarding caf competition. You do not sit down in your country and expects Caf to award the tournament. These people use a lot of thing before you can host a tournament facilities, infrastructure, security etc.
Why not provide the necessary things, then make ur bid and see if caf won’t give you the rights to host an AFCON.
Ooh Zambia is even hosting caf 2017 U-20 tournament. I bet zambia is now part of ur “WEST AFRICA”.
Four west African nationals will be flying the African flag in New zealand for the world U-20 championship, yet you sit down there behind your laptop/desktop/phone spewing thrash about us. Keep it up brother. Keep on hating. We don’t give a f.uck.
Loooooooool !!
age cheaters. u will go back home quicker than you will go to the worldcup
Hayatou is from Cameroon which is in West Africa…don’t confuse yourself in your anger.
Second,it makes no sense no matter your arguments to award the AFCON five times in a row to one region in Africa. Even when this guy had a chance to correct things he couldn’t. He has overstayed the welcome.
Can you imagine the WC going to North America always!
FBI. we have hayetou here in africa too. investigate him
Age cheats hmmm??….
Prior to the commencement of AYC, some of you were shouting and bragging about your team and also on the issue of MRI scan carried. Are you now saying that the mri scan was no use? How come the Almighty Mri scan still failed to recognise the over-age players?
I understand your pain though. It is not easy to be a soccer loving zambian now thanks to the decline in quality of football there and never ending run of poor form. From Afcon to U17 to U20 to U23 to Female team to Cosafa.
Keep on wailing bro, but make sure you stay close to your t.v and internet because Africa(ooh my bad, I mean West Africa) will rule the world again come June 20.
Prior to Caf U17 and U20 tournaments.:
All hail the ALMIGHTY mri scan. West Africans are doomed. Other region can now take over.
After Caf U17 and U20 tournaments:
West Africa=Age cheats………..
Lol… losers always have an excuse.
After the world cup in UAE 2013, 7 othe current Flying eagles player secured european deals in top clubs in europe(at age 17). Guess what will happen after the U-20 world cup.
That is quality speaking.
Bodosqi, it is sad a few of these Zambians would not face reality & find ways of achieving global recognition in football. Always complaining about west Africans . What a pity!!!!!!. West Africans eat, drink & “worship” football, unlike our friends who want to achieve glory on a silver platter.
Indeed, QUALITY IS SPEAKING. Ghana, Nigeria, Mali & Senegal were not selected for New Zealand. They worked for it. Quality is speaking indeed.
Any way, Bodosqi, if your boys concentrate fully, the end is within sight. The team is good & they look unbeatable. Let us hope they deliver the goods to Nigeria, WEST AFRICA. They must deliver. The boys are marvellous. They are the best in the West African group of four. They should be the best in the world, God willing. I don’t have much faith in the Ghana squad but in football, surprises do happen. GOOD LUCK, brother.
Judgement day coming.
I am looking forward to the headline which will read, “FAZ officials arrested for corruption”.
@Bolapazed, cameroon is not part of west africa. Cameroon is a central africa country.
Bro google is your friend, Familiarize urself with it.
@kabwe you are right brother, the flying eagles team is good they have the quality and are in good hands(Manu Garba). All they need now is concentration, determination.
The ghanian team is not that bad either, I see them going far too. Coach Tetteh has the experience and I am sure he would perform well.
Corrupt Kalu and Issa will now tie their a$$es. FBI is coming for you corrupt bafoons.
Hey FBI come get Kalu and Hayatou too. The should be on the next list of arrests coming in the next wave. Get em get em. Silly arrogant corrupt punks. Technology don’t lie, every emails sent whether deleted gets archived so Kalu and his corrupt phucks will be exposed in round 2.
When killing the snake, strike the head! Kalu lelo lelo hahahahahah!
Breaking news Issa Hayatou is dead with an apparent gun shot wound on the head. Sources say it looks to be an apparent suicide. More news to come. Stay turned.
Hahahaha Fifa and its clown corrupt punks is getting a red card, this is getting interesting. Issa, Kalu, Blatter all need to step down immediately. Kalu is an embarrassment to Zambia. We shall see.
I agree with all those calling for Isaa Hayatou and CAF to be probed. CAF is gone to the “dogs” and as long as Isaa and some of his stooges remain we doomed.
This move is welcome and if the executives are found guilty in skimming funds under the guise of the beautiful,they must face the full wrath of the law. The FBI’s investigations has come in timely in as far as this elitist organisation cleaning up it’s tarnished image and act.