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Fifa arrests: US asks Switzerland to extradite officials Fifa arrests: US asks Switzerland to extradite officials
(about 1 hour later)
The United States has asked Switzerland to extradite seven Fifa officials arrested on corruption charges in May, the Swiss authorities say.The United States has asked Switzerland to extradite seven Fifa officials arrested on corruption charges in May, the Swiss authorities say.
Formal extradition requests were submitted on Wednesday, the Swiss Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) said.Formal extradition requests were submitted on Wednesday, the Swiss Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) said.
The seven top Fifa executives arrested in Zurich are among 14 Fifa officials indicted on charges of "rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted" corruption.The seven top Fifa executives arrested in Zurich are among 14 Fifa officials indicted on charges of "rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted" corruption.
The charges follow a major inquiry by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.The charges follow a major inquiry by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The FOJ said Zurich police, acting on its behalf, would give the seven Fifa officials a hearing over the extradition requests. The FOJ said Zurich police, acting on its behalf, would give the seven officials a hearing over the extradition requests.
The officials and their lawyers would have 14 days to respond to the request, which could be extended "if sufficient grounds exist", the FOJ statement said.The officials and their lawyers would have 14 days to respond to the request, which could be extended "if sufficient grounds exist", the FOJ statement said.
After that, the FOJ would give its decision "within a few weeks", but that warned any ruling could be challenged in both the federal criminal court and the federal supreme court. After that, the FOJ would give its decision "within a few weeks", but warned of a lengthy process as any ruling could be challenged in both the federal criminal court and the federal supreme court.
Jeffrey Webb, Fifa vice-president in charge of North and Central America, was among seven top officials arrested by Swiss police in a raid on a luxury hotel in the early hours of 27 May. Jeffrey Webb, Fifa vice-president in charge of North and Central America, was among those arrested by Swiss police in a raid on a luxury hotel in the early hours of 27 May.
They are currently being held in prisons around the Zurich region.They are currently being held in prisons around the Zurich region.
Officials pending extradition
The suspects are among 14 defendants the US has charged with racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracies.The suspects are among 14 defendants the US has charged with racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracies.
In a 47-count indictment unveiled in a US federal court in New York, they were accused of participating "in a 24-year scheme to enrich themselves through the corruption of international soccer". In a 47-count indictment unveiled in a New York federal court, they were accused of participating "in a 24-year scheme to enrich themselves through the corruption of international soccer".
Of the 14 charged, nine are Fifa officials and five are corporate executives. The indictment alleges that US and South American sports marketing executives paid and agreed to pay "well over $150m" in bribes and other illegal payments to obtain lucrative media and marketing rights to international football tournaments.
The corruption was planned in the US, even if it was then carried out elsewhere, the indictment said. The use of US banks to transfer money appears to have been key to the investigation.
The charges follow a three year FBI investigation, which was initially sparked by the bidding process for the Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 World Cups, but was then widened to look back at Fifa's dealings over the past 20 or so years.
Of the 14 charged, the most senior figures - which include Jeffrey Webb and former vice-president Jack Warner - are football powerbrokers in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Fifa President Sepp Blatter has not been arrested or indicted, although both the US and Swiss authorities have said they would not rule out interviewing him as part of their investigations.
He was re-elected as president just three days after the Zurich arrests, but within days he announced he would curtail his presidency as the scandal threatened to engulf the world footballing organisation.
Mr Blatter announced earlier this week that he would not attend the final of the women's world cup on Sunday, citing personal reasons.