Swiss authorities arrested several FIFA top officials Wednesday in Zurich over corruption charges brought about by the United States.
Six FIFA top officials have been arrested by Swiss authorities who also launched a criminal case regarding the allocation of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, according to Al Jazeera.
Investigation conducted by F.B.I. backed the charges claiming widespread corruption in FIFA for 20 years. The corruption accusation includes bids for World Cups along with marketing and broadcast deals, The New York Times reported.
The U.S. Justice Department said in a statement that the defendants have systematically paid and agreed to pay millions in "bribes and kickbacks to obtain lucrative media and marketing rights to international soccer tournaments."
Corruption charges also include wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy and racketeering. The indictment names 14 people, but FIFA president Sepp Blatter was not included.
The FIFA officials charged are Jeffrey Webb, Eugenio Figueredo, Jack Warner, Eduardo Li, Julio Rocha, Costas Takkas, Rafael Esquivel, José Maria Marin, and Nicolás Leoz, The New York Times reported. Alejandro Burzaco, Aaron Davidson, Hugo Jinkis, and Mariano Jinkis, FIFA's marketing executives, are also expected to be charged. Alleged middleman named José Margulies was also charged for expediting illegal payments.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch said the 47-count indictment "alleges corruption that is rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted" both abroad and in the U.S.
The suspects purportedly accepted bribes amounting to $150 million for over two decades, according to BBC.
The Swiss Office of the Attorney General (OAG) said it has opened criminal proceedings "against persons unknown on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and of money laundering in connection with the allocation of the 2018 and 2022 Football World Cups." This is a separate charge from those brought by the U.S.
FIFA officials are in Switzerland, which is expected to hold elections for its new president on Friday. Incumbent top official Sepp Blatter seeks for a fifth term.
Arrested officials may face extradition to the U.S.
