Fifa president Sepp Blatter is being
investigated by US officials as part of
their inquiry into corruption at the
world football body, US media say.
The news came hours after Mr Blatter,
79, announced that he was stepping
down from his role.
US prosecutors launched a criminal
inquiry last week, with seven Fifa
officials arrested in Switzerland, part of
a group of 14 people indicted.
Two days after the arrests, Mr Blatter
was re-elected president of Fifa.
However, he said on Tuesday that it
appeared the mandate he had been
given “does not seem to be supported by
everyone in the world”.
Mr Blatter said: “Fifa needs profound
restructuring.” He said he would
continue in post until an extraordinary
congress is called to elect a new
president.
No dates have been set, but it is expected
to take place between December 2015
and March 2016.
‘Bribes and kickbacks’
US officials quoted in the New York
Times said they hoped to gain the co-
operation of some of the Fifa figures now
under indictment on charges of
racketeering and money laundering to
try to build a case against Mr Blatter.
US Attorney General Loretta Lynch spoke
of “deep-rooted” corruption in world
football
Fifa’s legal troubles – key
moments
27 May 2015: Seven Fifa officials
arrested in Switzerland and face
extradition to US, where a total of 14
people are charged with racketeering,
wire fraud and money laundering
27 May: Swiss authorities also raid Fifa
headquarters as part of investigation
into 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids
November 2014: Investigation
requested by Fifa into 2018 and 2022
bids clears Qatar. US lawyer Michael
Garcia, who conducted the report, called
its summary by Fifa “erroneous”
June 2011: Fifa presidential candidate
Mohamed Bin Hammam found guilty of
bribing members of the Caribbean
Football Union and banned from
football. Vice-President Jack Warner also
resigns
February 2011: Fifa upholds bans on
two executive committee members over
claims they asked for money in exchange
for votes in 2018 and 2022 bids
Earlier the FBI, Internal Revenue Service
and the US Attorney for the Eastern
District of New York, who is involved in
the US prosecutions, all said they would
not comment on the Blatter resignation.
In its prosecution, the US justice
department said 14 individuals were
under investigation worldwide for
allegedly accepting bribes and kickbacks
estimated at more than $150m (£97m)
over a 24-year period.
Two vice-presidents were among the
seven Fifa officials arrested in Zurich.
They all await US extradition
proceedings.
Brazilian footballing legend Pele told the
BBC that the developments surrounding
Fifa and Mr Blatter “surprised
everyone”.
“My position is like a player. I want to
see football put people together, stop the
war,” he said.
“Fifa needs honest people.”
The arrests overshadowed the vote for a
new president, which Mr Blatter won,
defeating his sole challenger, Prince Ali
bin Al Hussein of Jordan.
Prince Ali withdrew despite forcing a
second round, having lost the first by 133
votes to 73.
Mr Blatter, who is Swiss and has been
Fifa president since 1998, said he would
urge Fifa’s executive committee to
organise an extraordinary congress “for
the election of my successor at the
earliest opportunity”.
“This will need to be done in line with
Fifa’s statutes and we must allow enough
time for the best candidates to present
themselves and to campaign.”
Further allegations of corruption
emerged on Tuesday with claims that
Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke was
linked to an alleged $10m (£6m)
payment of bribes over South Africa’s
bid to host the 2010 World Cup. He
denies any wrongdoing.
A separate criminal investigation by
Swiss authorities into how the 2018 and
2022 World Cups were allocated is also
under way.
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