Joseph S. Blatter is at the end, the fortress Fifa appears to fall: The Swiss courts are now also against the once all-powerful FIFA President and also has the Uefa boss Michel Platini questioned because of a questionable transfer. This was announced by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office on Friday. Blatter was interrogated, his office searched.
In the corruption scandal of the Swiss (79) will for the first time also held personally accountable for the criminal activities in his empire legally accountable , A continuation of his presidency until the planned resignation date February 26, 2016 seems inconceivable. The consequences for the Frenchman Platini, who was consulted as a “respondent”, and its candidacy for Blatter’s successor is not yet in sight.
“Switzerland’s federal prosecutor has against the President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) a criminal case on suspicion of breach of trust and – opened for embezzlement – eventualiter “, said the Swiss Federal Prosecutor’s Office in matters with Blatter and stated several allegations.
It is suspected that Blatter in September 2005 with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) have completed an unfavorable for the Fifa contract. In the implementation of the contract he had failed “in breach of his fiduciary duties against the interests of Fifa”. Swiss television had early September reported that Blatter the broadcasting rights for the World Cup in South Africa for dollar 250 000., which is said to have sold for the World Cup in Brazil for dollar 350 000.. Warner should therefore have the TV broadcast rights sold two years later, according to estimates in the media for 15 to $ 20 million again.
In addition, Blatter 2011, a “disloyal payment “have done to UEFA President Platini. The amount: Two million Swiss francs. “At the expense of Fifa,” it said in the statement of an investigating authority, “allegedly worked for between January 1999 and June 2002 Services”. Platini had already been questioned by representatives of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office.
He’s since 2007. UEFA president and sitting since 2002 the FIFA Executive Committee. Previously it was the Frenchman as a pupil and friend of Blatter, before it came to the break. When Blatter’s election as FIFA president in 1998 Platini backed his former mentor open to the European candidate, Lennart Johansson, who was Uefa boss at the time.
Blatter’s office was searched
Blatter was interrogated as a suspect on Friday by representatives of Switzerland’s federal prosecutor following the meeting of the FIFA Executive Committee in Zurich. Platini was at the same time questioned as a witness. The Attorney General also conducted with support from the Federal Criminal Police (FCP) by a house search at the FIFA in Zurich. Here also the president’s office was searched and data material ensured.
The Swiss Federal Prosecutor’s Office (BA) is the supreme investigative and prosecution of the country. It pursues particularly serious crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the Swiss federal courts. These include organized crime and terrorism, as well as money laundering and corruption.
During the investigations on suspicion of serious corruption against Fifa functionaries the BA is working closely with the law enforcement agencies of the United States together. In their application, the BA had arrested seven senior football administrators in Zurich on 27 May. Three of them have since been handed over to the US Department of Justice. For the other four extradition procedures run.
in a criminal investigation against Blatter Fifa assured the authorities the full support. They have so far met all demands for documents, data and other information, said the association. “We will continue this level of cooperation during the investigation,” it said in a press statement. Moreover, it would currently be no further comments of Fifa, said the world governing body.
On Friday afternoon, the situation worsened dramatically
On Friday FIFA had to burst a scheduled press conference with Blatter without giving reasons. It would be the first time since the suspension of the Secretary-General Jerome Valcke and has ever been the first time in two months that the tumbling Fifa boss had spoken. FIFA had the appointment officially confirmed.
The cancellation, which reached the press at 14.50, came as a complete surprise. Earlier, the World Association had the Q & A session by one hour -. And asked the well 15 camera crews further from the entrance of the main building away
The secretary general Valcke was last in the week been suspended on suspicion of personal enrichment in the sale of World Cup tickets. Through his lawyer, the Frenchman had made any allegations reject vehemently.
The Fifa is increasingly incapacitated
“It is an ongoing process, here the presumption of innocence applies, “Wolfgang Niersbach, president of the German Football Association (DFB), which also participated in the executive session on Friday said:” It was only very briefly an issue that has been found in the leaves that Valcke is relieved as general secretary temporarily from his duties. It has been said no further details. “
No major progress has been made for the Ethics Commission, which is still sworn to secrecy. The ExCo said on Friday, although “in principle” its support to loosen the corresponding Article 36 of the Code of Ethics – the Panel was the case further for “consulting” but to the FIFA Legal Committee
Because of this section in the ethics code, it is so far banned the independent investigators, to comment on ongoing proceedings or not legally binding decisions. The Commission and the German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert, who chairs the adjudicatory chamber, had recently demanded vehemently easing in Article 36. A decision will be covered until the next meeting of the Exkos in December – provided that Fifa will ever be capable of acting, which is more than doubtful
.
No comments:
Post a Comment