Swiss Open Criminal Proceeding Against FIFA’s Sepp Blatter

FIFA president Sepp Blatter
Photo Courtesy: UPI

ZURICH, Switzerland, Sept. 25 (UPI) — Swiss authorities opened a criminal proceeding into embattled FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Friday on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation.

The Swiss attorney general said Blatter, 79, is suspected of signing a contract with the Caribbean Football Union, saying he violated “his fiduciary duties and acted against the interest of FIFA” and other FIFA entities. He is also accused of “disloyal payment” in 2011 to Michel Platini, president of Union of European Football Associations.

Authorities said they are continuing to question Blatter. The FIFA headquarters and Blatter’s home were searched.

The investigation comes five months after the United States and Switzerland announced investigations into widespread corruption by top soccer officials spanning a two-decade period and totaling some $100 million. Blatter, FIFA president since 1998, is due to step down on Feb. 26.

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