Stories for May 2015

Thursday, May 28th 2015 - 07:04 UTC
Cameron begins tour to tell European leaders UK people are not satisfied with EU relationship

David Cameron is starting a tour of European capitals as a bill paving the way for the UK's EU referendum is launched in the House of Commons. The British PM will attempt to persuade the Dutch, French, Polish and German premiers to back his changes to the UK's EU membership.
Thursday, May 28th 2015 - 06:37 UTC
Queen's Speech anticipates challenging year ahead for Cameron and his 12 seats majority

Prime Minister David Cameron's government formally announced a referendum on whether Britain should leave the EU in a policy speech read by Queen Elizabeth II on Westminster's grandest day on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 28th 2015 - 06:24 UTC
Libor rate rigging trial reveals “scratch my back, I'll scratch yours” dealings among traders

The trader at the centre of the Libor rate-rigging trial tried to influence other banks to manipulate the key benchmark rate to suit his own trading positions, a jury at Southwark Crown Court has heard. Tom Hayes allegedly told one trader that he had managed to keep the three-month Libor rate “artificially high”.
Thursday, May 28th 2015 - 06:11 UTC
UEFA meets on Thursday in a bid to postpone FIFA presidential election

European football's leaders are to meet on Thursday in a bid to postpone FIFA's presidential election. UEFA said Friday's vote should not go ahead after bribery and racketeering charges were laid against senior officials in football's governing body. “These events show, once again, that corruption is deeply rooted in FIFA's culture,” UEFA said.
Thursday, May 28th 2015 - 05:56 UTC
FIFA's key sponsor express “serious concern” following corruption allegations

Key sponsors of FIFA have expressed “serious concern” after the US accused senior officials of football's governing body of racketeering, fraud and money laundering. Coca-Cola said the World Cup had been “tarnished” by “lengthy controversy”.
Thursday, May 28th 2015 - 05:40 UTC
US formalizes extradition request of three Argentines allegedly involved in FIFA investigation

Argentina's foreign ministry confirmed late Wednesday that United States had officially requested the extradition of three Argentine citizens allegedly involved in the US Justice Department investigation into FIFA corrupt dealings.
Thursday, May 28th 2015 - 01:17 UTC
Blatter “welcomes investigations” into such “misconduct that has no place in football”

FIFA chief Joseph Blatter in a brief statement said on Wednesday afternoon that “we welcome the actions and the investigations by the US and Swiss authorities” and further on emphasized that “such misconduct has no place in football and we will ensure that those who engage in it are put out of the game”•
Thursday, May 28th 2015 - 01:14 UTC
FIFA rules out re-vote on Russia and Qatar and says Friday's congress 'will go ahead'

FIFA has ruled out a re-vote on awarding the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar as Swiss authorities prepare to question ten executive committee members about the corruption-tainted bidding process.
Thursday, May 28th 2015 - 00:18 UTC
“Red Card” for 14 FIFA and sports marketing officials

The United States Department of Justice brought charges on racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering on 14 FIFA and sports marketing officials. Dubbed the “World Cup of corruption” by Richard Weber, chief of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation unit, the charges are the result of an investigation from the U.S. District Attorney’s office in Eastern New York.
Wednesday, May 27th 2015 - 14:46 UTC
Platini blasts Blatter for 'lying' and supports Prince Ali ahead of FIFA's Friday election

UEFA president Michel Platini blasted Sepp Blatter for lying about his pledge to step down in 2015 and throws his support behind presidential challenger Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein.