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.
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.
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•
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.
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.
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.
Unless something dramatic happens, Sepp Blatter will on Friday emerge victorious from his latest FIFA presidential battle. Despite the challenge from Jordanian Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, the 79-year-old Swiss is widely expected to secure the majority of votes of the 209 member federations in the secret ballot, reports World Football Insider.
The most iconic symbol of the Olympic Games is decorating the city for the Rio 2016 Games. City Hall has installed giant Olympic Rings in Madureira Park, ahead of the largest sporting event in the world.
The International trade Union Confederation is calling on FIFA delegates to support Jordan’s Prince Ali in this week’s election for FIFA President, following Ali’s re-affirmed commitment on labour and other human rights. The other two challengers to incumbent Joseph Blatter, Luis Figo and Michael van Praag have withdrawn from the race.
A long time identified hooligan supporter of Argentina's Boca Juniors, Adrian 'El Panadero' (the baker) Napolitano has admitted carrying out the pepper spray attack on River Plate players during last Thursday's super derby for the Libertadores Cup while arguing he did not realize the damage the assault would cause.