Corruption in FIFA. High ranking officials arrested and extradicted to USA

Warrigal

Warrigal

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Sydney, Australia
From the FBI's own website http://www.fbi.gov/newyork/press-re...ed-for-racketeering-conspiracy-and-corruption

Also earlier this morning, Swiss authorities in Zurich arrested seven of the defendants charged in the indictment, the defendants Jeffrey Webb, Eduardo Li, Julio Rocha, Costas Takkas, Eugenio Figueredo, Rafael Esquivel, and José Maria Marin, at the request of the United States.[SUP]1[/SUP]

The guilty pleas of the four individual and two corporate defendants that were also unsealed today include the guilty pleas of Charles Blazer, the long-serving former general secretary of CONCACAF and former U.S. representative on the FIFA executive committee; José Hawilla, the owner and founder of the Traffic Group, a multinational sports marketing conglomerate headquartered in Brazil; and two of Hawilla’s companies, Traffic Sports International, Inc. and Traffic Sports USA, Inc., which is based in Florida.

“The indictment alleges corruption that is rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted both abroad and here in the United States,” said Attorney General Lynch. “It spans at least two generations of soccer officials who, as alleged, have abused their positions of trust to acquire millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks. And it has profoundly harmed a multitude of victims, from the youth leagues and developing countries that should benefit from the revenue generated by the commercial rights these organizations hold, to the fans at home and throughout the world whose support for the game makes those rights valuable. Today’s action makes clear that this Department of Justice intends to end any such corrupt practices, to root out misconduct, and to bring wrongdoers to justice—and we look forward to continuing to work with other countries in this effort.” Attorney General Lynch extended her grateful appreciation to the authorities of the government of Switzerland, as well as several other international partners, for their outstanding assistance in this investigation.

“Today’s announcement should send a message that enough is enough. After decades of what the indictment alleges to be brazen corruption, organized international soccer needs a new start—a new chance for its governing institutions to provide honest oversight and support of a sport that is beloved across the world, increasingly so here in the United States. Let me be clear: this indictment is not the final chapter in our investigation,” stated Acting United States Attorney Currie. Mr. Currie extended his thanks to the agents, analysts, and other investigative personnel with the FBI New York Eurasian Joint Organized Crime Squad and the IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office, as well as their colleagues abroad, for their tremendous effort in this case.

“As charged in the indictment, the defendants fostered a culture of corruption and greed that created an uneven playing field for the biggest sport in the world. Undisclosed and illegal payments, kickbacks, and bribes became a way of doing business at FIFA. I want to commend the investigators and prosecutors around the world who have pursued this case so diligently, for so many years,” said FBI Director Comey.

“When leaders in an organization resort to cheating the very members that they are supposed to represent, they must be held accountable,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Chief Weber. “Corruption, tax evasion, and money laundering are certainly not the cornerstones of any successful business. Whether you call it soccer or football, the fans, players, and sponsors around the world who love this game should not have to worry about officials corrupting their sport. This case isn’t about soccer, it is about fairness and following the law. IRS CI will continue to investigate financial crimes and follow the money wherever it may lead around the world, leveling the playing field for those who obey the law.”

The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Don't know really but could it have something to do with US corporations paying bribes?
That's something the FBI might be interested in.

Also the US was bidding for the World Cup at the same time that Australia was bidding. Neither of us got any votes because we played it straight.
 

Josiah said:
Why is the US so involved in this? Soccer (what we call it) is a big deal everywhere but in the US.
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For that very reason. It is so big in the rest of the world that it is all powerful and can cover up. They got overconfident and thought they could carve up the US like the rest of the world, thus leading to a turf war!

In South America and some European countries governments can fall on the performance of the national team.

On this side of the pond we don't always favour American influence, but on this occasion you have done the world a big service.

Even if they get off (and that sort of money buys very good lawyers) they will have been given a serious warming.
 
The cost of prosecuting these officials bothers me. The American taxpayer should not be saddled with what is not a big deal to us...
 
I understand that the last few games of the Womans' world soccer league have been sold out here in the states. It's becoming more popular, but has a ways to go.
 
The Loretta Lynch connection http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32912118

In was in her role as district attorney that her involvement in the Fifa investigation began. Over the course of five years in Brooklyn - during which she weathered criticism that she too close to major banks after striking a deal with HSBC after it laundered money for Latin American drug cartels - a case against the football officials was pieced together.

"We always knew it was going to be a very large case," Ms Lynch told the New York Times.

Veins in the network of Fifa corruption alleged by Ms Lynch ran through meeting rooms in the Eastern District and through US banking systems, the Department of Justice said. Working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Inland Revenue Service (IRS), she used those connections to the US to bring Wednesday's long-awaited indictments.

After years of investigating, Ms Lynch stood up at a press conference in New York and boldly accused Fifa officials of "abusing their positions of trust to acquire millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks". It was an extraordinary blow against an organisation that is alleged to have practiced bribery and corruption for more than two decades.

"The pantheon of world soccer has a new hero," said Politico's Tunku Varadarajan. "To the names of Pele, Maradona, Cruyff and Messi, add another: Loretta Lynch. The US attorney general, confirmed by the Senate just three weeks ago by the most un-soccer-like score of 56-43, is destined to go down as the most consequential woman in the history of the game."

Football fans around the world "should salute her", said BBC sports correspondent Matt Slater.
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But why do we always have to do it? We got enough to do running the world without having to straighten out world sports, too...:mad:
 
The US doesn't have to do anything. Which country or organisation is big enough to make America do anything that it doesn't want to?
America does what it chooses to do. End of story.
 
Here's your answer.. from WIKI...

The United States Soccer Federation submitted a bid[SUP][2][/SUP] with the hope of hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. U.S. Soccer first said in February 2007 that it would put forth a bid for the 2018 World Cup.[SUP][2][/SUP] On January 28, 2009, U.S. Soccer announced that it would submit bids for both the 2018 and 2022 Cups.[SUP][3][/SUP] In October 2010 it withdrew from the 2018 bid process to focus on winning the 2022 edition.[SUP][4][/SUP] On 2 December 2010, it was announced that Qatar would instead be the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[SUP][5][/SUP] However, because of concerns and controversies of Qatar hosting, the United States' bid is considered possible if FIFA chooses to move the 2022 tournament from Qatar.[SUP][6][/SUP]
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So... ?? It is a huge boost to the economy to get awarded the hosting of the World Cup... It's a H U G E deal and billions of people watch it.. and hundreds of thousands attend.. AND spend money in the host country. Understand now Ralphy? We didn't offer million dollar bribes to a corrupt agency.. so we lost out even though our venue would be better and our climate better... etc..





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I don't get the fuss. It's A sport with money to be made. That's all professional and college sports.

Also when they are talking about bribes and kickbacks it's takes two parties the briber and bribeee. If a company,city,country was stupid enough to pay a bribe to officials acting like extortionists that's just as much on them. Now that being said should one have bribe or unnecessarily increase the payout-of course not.

They are also not itemizing the offenses/act either. The only mention I noticed is that a FIFA official wanted 10 million dollars from South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

Keep in mind that sports in most countries are frequently driven by the gamblers so there's a good chance someone lost a lot of money because of unnecessary actions which set off a chain reaction.
 
Racketeering shouldn't be overlooked but if it turns out that the case is based on testimony from some one who volunteered to pay a bribe shame on them. I understand those who refused to pay bribes or exorbitant fee getting left out. But from what I've seen so far other than mention of corruption are the costs. If soccer was that expensive to be part of don't participate.
 
"what is not a big deal to us..."

But it is. The biggest sponsors are American multi-nationals like Coca Cola, MacDonalds and Budweiser.

It's American money being mis=spent. and I wouldn't mind betting that e-mails are being shredded in some US boardrooms right now
 
Laurie said:
"what is not a big deal to us..."

But it is. The biggest sponsors are American multi-nationals like Coca Cola, MacDonalds and Budweiser.

It's American money being mis=spent. and I wouldn't mind betting that e-mails are being shredded in some US boardrooms right now
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Just one question, why would Coke, MacDonald's or Budweiser particularly care WHERE the world cup was held? Why would they want it to be in Qatar? I was under the impression it was Qatar that paid the bribe to get the votes to hold the World Cup there.. I'm far from pro-corporation, but we can't blame this one on them.
 
QuickSilver said:
Just one question, why would Coke, MacDonald's or Budweiser particularly care WHERE the world cup was held? Why would they want it to be in Qatar? I was under the impression it was Qatar that paid the bribe to get the votes to hold the World Cup there.. I'm far from pro-corporation, but we can't blame this one on them.
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Qatar was just the trigger. The corruption was suspected, and hinted at in the press, and has been going on for years. Blatter is the original Teflon Kid and has staggered from one rumoured scandal to another. They care because it corruption is proved they don't want their sponsorship associated with it. Be in no doubt that some of the money involved will have come, indirectly of course, no-one is suggesting complicity, from these sponsors, and they won't like it!

Even on your side of the pond no-one should any longer be in any doubt of how seriously this is taken with Putin calling it an American plot.

http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-fifa-russia-putin-20150528-story.html

This will involve big business, organised crime and drug cartels on a worldwide scale, North America included.

Just wait and see how many major names condemn it, and how many totally insignificant bad guys, with neither the resources or the know how to operate at this level, get to carry the can.
 
This is something the Australian Federal Police will be looking into now that arrests have occurred

Australian police may investigate a payment of $500,000 by Football Federation Australia (FFA) to Jack Warner after the former soccer powerbroker was arrested in a sweeping corruption probe launched by US authorities this week. Australia’s national soccer governing body claimed the payment was made as part of “mandatory” Fifa bidding criteria during the country’s failed bid for the 2022 World Cup but was misappropriated by Warner.

Bonita Mersiades, a former senior member of Australia’s bid team, and the independent senator Nick Xenophon had written to the Australian federal police (AFP) asking it to investigate the payment, the AFP said.

“The AFP can confirm it has been contacted ... and asked to provide advice in relation to this matter,” it said on Friday. “The AFP will assess the letters and provide advice in due course.”

The FFA, whose senior management is in Zurich for the Fifa congress, was not available for comment.
However, it has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in its World Cup bid and said the 2010 payment was intended to fund a feasibility study for a “centre of excellence” project in the Caribbean.

A 2013 investigation by Concacaf, the soccer governing body for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, said the payment was misappropriated by Warner, a former president of Concacaf.

http://www.theguardian.com/football...agree-to-look-into-500000-paid-to-jack-warner
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I think most of us understand what is going on here but, as mentioned before, some of us Americans are tired of policing the world on all matters. So, I am glad to see other countries where soccer is a much bigger deal carry some, if not all of the water...
 
Who has to lead the charge and do most of the heavy lifting as they say. This is more of an EU and Commonwealth issue in my, and others, estimation. let them pay for it! :mad:
 

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