US Files Extradition Request for 7 FIFA Officials
United States has asked Switzerland to extradite seven officials with the world football organization FIFA, in an ongoing corruption probe.
Swiss justice officials said Thursday they have received the requests for the seven FIFA officials who were arrested in Zurich in May on suspicion of bribery.
A U.S. indictment issued in May charges nine FIFA officials and five corporate executives with offenses that include racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering.
A separate Swiss investigation has been looking into allegations of mismanagement and money laundering connected to the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, respectively.
Swiss prosecutors are investigating 53 possible money-laundering incidents involving the bidding process for the two World Cups.
Swiss attorney-general Michael Lauber has said that the transactions were reported by banks through Switzerland’s anti-money laundering alert system. Lauber said banks had done their duty in reporting the activity and warned that the case was “huge and complex.”
FIFA has suspended the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup because of the ongoing controversy.
