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Blatter wins re-election despite FIFA corruption scandal

Lite Beer

By Lite Beer
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mrbojangles Star Member

mrbojangles

Posted
Posted

It's like stuff out of a movie this. Apparently Blazer was wired with a device in his key fob, in meetings.

Chuck Blazer secretly co-operated with Fifa investigation from 2011

A corrupt Fifa official worked undercover for investigators for 18 months while on the governing body's executive committee, it has emerged.

Chuck Blazer, 70, struck a deal with prosecutors in the United States after pleading guilty to charges of bribery, money laundering and tax evasion.

Details of that agreement have been revealed after a judge agreed to a request by five media groups.

The document shows Blazer was secretly co-operating from December 2011.

The American was on Fifa's executive committee from 1997-2013.

Last month, US prosecutors indicted 14 Fifa officials on charges of racketeering, fraud and money laundering involving tens of millions of dollars over 24 years.

Full story http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33145539

Chicog Star Member

Chicog

Posted
Posted

Oh how I laughed....

Interpol suspends €20m Fifa partnership to fight match-fixing
• Police liaison group took decision in light of corruption claims against Fifa
• Deal had been agreed in 2011 in joint approach to tackle match-fixing
Chicog Star Member

Chicog

Posted
Posted

Good news...

Swiss authorities probes possible FIFA money laundering Updated: Wednesday, 17 Jun 2015 11:00

Switzerland's attorney general is prepared for his investigation into the bids for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups to cause "collateral" damage to the host nations if wrongdoing is proved.

Michael Lauber said his investigators are probing 53 possible money-laundering incidents as part of their probe but that the investigation could take years, such is the volume of computer data to be examined.

Lauber did not rule out FIFA president Sepp Blatter or secretary general Jerome Valcke being interviewed as part of the investigation.

Asked about the effect of the investigation on the hosts - Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022 - Lauber told a news conference in Bern: "I don't mind if this has collaterals somewhere else. I don't care about the timetable of FIFA - I only care about my own timetable, which is following Swiss procedural code."

The probe follows the report by FIFA's ethics investigator Michael Garcia being passed by the world governing body to the attorney general. Russia and Qatar have both denied any wrongdoing.

The head of the white-collar crime division at the Swiss Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has been appointed to lead a task-force carrying out the investigation.

Lauber said: "There will be formal interviews of all relevant people. By definition, this does not exclude interviewing the president of FIFA and/or its secretary general.

"Our investigation is of great complexity and quite substantial. The OAG has seized around nine terabytes of data.

"You find in the task-force specialised and experienced prosecutors, experts in mutual legal assistance and a specialized forensic IT team from the Federal Criminal Police.

The head of the white-collar crime division at the Swiss Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has been appointed to lead a task-force carrying out the investigation.

Lauber said: "There will be formal interviews of all relevant people. By definition, this does not exclude interviewing the president of FIFA and/or its secretary general.

"Our investigation is of great complexity and quite substantial.

"You find in the task-force specialised and experienced prosecutors, experts in mutual legal assistance and a specialized forensic IT team from the Federal Criminal Police.

"We note positively that banks in Switzerland did fulfill their duties to file suspicious activity reports. Partly in addition to the 104 banking relations already known to the authorities, banks announced 53 suspicious banking relations via the anti-money-laundering framework of Switzerland. The procedure is huge and complex on many levels."

Lauber said the investigation was separate from the FBI's football corruption probe which saw seven FIFA officials arrested in Zurich last month and which has indicted 18 people.

"The Swiss investigations are executed independently from the prosecutions of our US colleagues. Therefore, documents and data of our Swiss investigation will not be shared automatically with the US counterpart. The exchange of information has to respect the binding rules of mutual legal assistance."

Lauber refused to give a time-scale but said it could take years to complete the investigation.

He said: "The world of football needs to be patient. By its nature, this investigation will take more than the legendary 90 minutes.

"Be assured - the OAG will give priority to this case and will act according to the principles of the rule of law."

  • 2 weeks later...
Sparkles Platinum Member

Sparkles

Posted
Posted

Blater has come out tonight and said he did not resign ????? he will put forward his mandate blah, blah, blah.I have booked in for hearing test tomorrow !

Can he have an accident ?

Sparkles Platinum Member

Sparkles

Posted
Posted

Blatter has come out tonight and said he did not resign ????? he will put forward his mandate blah, blah, blah.I have booked in for hearing test tomorrow !

Can he have an accident ?

Chicog Star Member

Chicog

Posted
Posted
(CNN)U.S. officials have requested the extradition of seven high-ranking FIFA officials arrested in Switzerland in May. They are suspected of taking bribes worth over $100 million in connection with soccer tournaments.


The seven were detained in a dawn raid on a hotel on the eve of FIFA's World Congress in Zurich, Switzerland, on the basis of a request from the United States.


Among them is Jeffrey Webb, a FIFA vice president and head of CONCACAF, the soccer governing body for North America and the Caribbean.


Another is Jose Maria Marin, head of the Brazilian Football Federation from March 2012 to April 2015. Marin also served as head of the 2014 World Cup committee. The 83-year-old was also governor of Sao Paulo for a short period in the 1980s.


The arrests at the heart of soccer's governing body shocked the wider world of football and were followed within days by the announcement by newly reelected FIFA president Sepp Blatter that he would resign.


In its 47-count indictment, issued in Brooklyn, the U.S. Department of Justice accused 14 people of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.


The FIFA officials held in Zurich are among those being investigated for taking bribes worth huge sums over more than two decades.


"In return, those suspected of paying the bribes -- representatives of sports media and sports promotion firms -- are believed to have received media, marketing and sponsorship rights for soccer tournaments in the United States and in Latin America," the Swiss justice department statement said.


"These crimes are thought to have been agreed and prepared in the USA, and payments were allegedly routed through U.S. banks."


The U.S. Embassy in Bern on Wednesday submitted formal extradition requests for the seven arrested, the Swiss justice department said in a statement Thursday.


The seven FIFA officials will be given a hearing by Zurich police on the extradition requests. They will then have another two weeks to respond to the requests.


After hearing the various arguments, the Swiss justice department will rule on extradition "within a few weeks," the statement said. That decision may be challenged in the courts.

  • 3 weeks later...
mrbojangles Star Member

mrbojangles

Posted
Posted

Some the things Sepp came out with during that press conference where beyond belief. Fancy coming back after that incident and announcing he had just called his dead mother!!

gennisis Gold Member

gennisis

Posted
Posted

that's the photo that will finally finish sepp that. the defining image of everything he is and is about. love it.

Whereas I dont believe it.... since there doesnt appear to be any charges as yet against Blatter, maybe...just maybe he doesnt have any connections to the 'Bribes" and is snowy white and misunderstood.,

carmine Ruby Member

carmine

Posted
Posted

that's the photo that will finally finish sepp that. the defining image of everything he is and is about. love it.

Whereas I dont believe it.... since there doesnt appear to be any charges as yet against Blatter, maybe...just maybe he doesnt have any connections to the 'Bribes" and is snowy white and misunderstood.,

Do you still believe in Father Christmas?

naboo Platinum Member

naboo

Posted
Posted

that's the photo that will finally finish sepp that. the defining image of everything he is and is about. love it.

Whereas I dont believe it.... since there doesnt appear to be any charges as yet against Blatter, maybe...just maybe he doesnt have any connections to the 'Bribes" and is snowy white and misunderstood.,

I think his latest angle is that he would love to stamp out corruption, he's just been unsuccessful (incompetent) so far but is definitely going to get rid of it (and all traces of evidence of it) in the next 7 months. He's just misunderstood.

mrbojangles Star Member

mrbojangles

Posted
Posted

FIFA are going to press charges on Lee Nelson with Trespass. All the corruption in FIFA and they find this prank worthy of pressing charges. They are unbelievable.

jellydog Platinum Member

jellydog

Posted
Posted

Some the things Sepp came out with during that press conference where beyond belief. Fancy coming back after that incident and announcing he had just called his dead mother!!

I honestly believe he is a bit senile. FIFA not only corrupt from top to bottom but run by a guy with only one oar in the water.

mrbojangles Star Member

mrbojangles

Posted
Posted

Some the things Sepp came out with during that press conference where beyond belief. Fancy coming back after that incident and announcing he had just called his dead mother!!

I honestly believe he is a bit senile. FIFA not only corrupt from top to bottom but run by a guy with only one oar in the water.

And he has hold of that one oar at the wrong end tongue.png

  • 1 month later...
Chicog Star Member

Chicog

Posted
Posted

A confident prediction of a further wave of arrests in the FIFAGate corruption scandal has been delivered by Loretta Lynch, the United States Attorney-General.

Lynch’s words will send a shiver of fear through the world football family, not least those in and around Sepp Blatter, departing president of the world federation whose vast offices were just a few miles away atop the hills overlooking the city.

Blatter and members of his governing executive committee had hoped that the American investigatory zeal might be satisfied with the indictment handed down in May against 14 senior FIFA-linked officials. This is not the case.

Criminal investigations roll on, not only out of the United States but also, separately, in Switzerland, where Alpine property has been seized and bank accounts frozen by local investigators.

Lynch indicated that the forthcoming arrests could involve not only individuals but also ‘entities,’ potentially including not only companies but football bodies. She would not comment on whether Blatter might be among the individuals.

The Attorney-General had commandeered centre stage in the FIFA corruption saga back on May 27 when she revealed details of the fraud, conspiracy and corruption charges against 14 FIFA-linked officials and businessmen.

Hours earlier seven of them, including two FIFA vice-presidents, had been arrested pending extradition in Zurich. This was two days before the congress at which Blatter was re-elected for a fifth term in office.

The weight of scandal played a decisive role in his decision, only four days later, to announce his impending departure. A new president will be elected at an extraordinary congress next February 26.

Lynch was in Zurich to address a conference organised by the International Association of Prosecutors and which could hardly have chosen a more coincidentally appropriate – or pointed – venue for its 20th anniversary event.

Appeared at a news conference with her Swiss counterpart Michael Lauber, she said: “In the four months since May our work and the investigation has continued. Thirteen of the 14 defendants have been arrested either by us or by other authorities. Three have been arraigned in a federal court in Brooklyn; 10 others are pending extradition in Switzerland and three other countries.

“Our investigation is ongoing and has expanded since May. On the basis of new evidence we anticipate pursuing additional charges against individuals and entities.”

Lynch praised the co-operation of the Swiss authorities before launching into a stern warning about the threat of corruption to the worldwide game and the imperative need for reform of its governing structures.

She said: “The problem of corruption in socer is global and we will remain vigilant. One hallmark has guided our work: all individuals involved in soccer, this beloved sport through which we teach sportsmanship, integrity and fair play, must be committed to reform and compliance with the rule of law.

“Our investigation is very far-ranging. We are still continuing to look at the business arrangements specified in the first indictment and other business arrangements which were carried out by FIFA as well.”

Lauber confirmed that his Swiss investigators, in a separate but parallel inquiry, had seized alpine apartments and other property in their inquiries into FIFA business. Work focused initially on the bid process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups but widened in scope as agents turned up further evidence of possible wrongdoing, including money-laundering.

He said: “[Our] investigations led to a specifically designed task force, house searches in the western part of Switzerland and further evidence being collected. Financial assets have been seized including real estate, including flats in the Swiss Alps; investments in the real estate can be misused for the purposes of money laundering.

Lauber also confirmed that contracts for the sale of World Cup TV rights would also be examined by his department after weekend revelations concerning contracts signed off by Blatter in favour of former CONCACAF president Jack Warner.

Read more at http://www.worldsoccer.com/columnists/keir-radnedge/fbi-confident-of-further-arrests-in-fifagate-scandal-364468#HfuSvBV4PRTt8uQZ.99

mrbojangles Star Member

mrbojangles

Posted
Posted

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke suspended after ticket accusations

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has been put on leave and released from his duties until further notice.

Valcke was earlier accused of being implicated in a scheme to sell World Cup tickets above face value for a share in profits, although the 54-year-old Frenchman has denied any wrongdoing.

A statement from football's governing body read: "FIFA today announced that its Secretary General Jérôme Valcke has been put on leave and released from his duties effective immediately until further notice.

"Further, FIFA has been made aware of a series of allegations involving the Secretary General and has requested a formal investigation by the FIFA Ethics Committee."


Earlier on Thursday, former Israel player Benny Alon said at a press conference in Zurich that he agreed in 2013 to pay cash to Valcke to secure plum World Cup tickets in Brazil. He said the plan was to then sell the tickets to fans at a markup and split the proceeds with Valcke.

Valcke "unequivocally" denied the allegations as "fabricated and outrageous" in a statement from his US lawyer Barry Berke.

"Mr. Valcke never received or agreed to accept any money or anything else of value from Mr. Alon," the statement said. "FIFA entered into an agreement with Mr. Alon's company, JB Sports Marketing. That agreement and FIFA's subsequent business dealings with Mr. Alon were vetted and approved by FIFA and its legal counsel."

Alon's allegations come on top of probes by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Swiss Attorney General's Office into corruption at FIFA following the indictment of 14 senior officials and sports marketing executives in May.

Markus Kattner, FIFA's Deputy General Secretary will temporarily take over Valcke's duties, according to a FIFA spokesman.


http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9994777/fifa-general-secretary-jerome-valcke-suspended-after-ticket-accusations

Chicog Star Member

Chicog

Posted
Posted (edited)

More details:

The emails seen by the Guardian appear to raise questions over the fact that Valcke was told in April 2013 that tickets were being sold at more than four times face value and yet it was eight months before the contract was revised. Among other allegations unsupported by any documents, made at a briefing in Zurich by Alon, an American-Israeli, is that in April 2013 he withdrew around $250,000 in cash to deliver to Valcke at Fifa HQ as a downpayment on a deal for tickets.
In an email, seen by the Guardian, apparently in response to a suggestion from Alon that they should meet, Valcke said he was too busy to meet. The email makes no mention of money or payment. Alon alleges that he returned to the bank the next day, with the cash in a suitcase, to return the money.
JB Sports Marketing had been involved with Fifa World Cups since the 1990 tournament in Italy and signed a 2010 deal to sell 8,750 tickets for Brazil 2014.
The contract, signed in 2010 by Valcke and JB Sports Marketing’s lawyer Heinz Schild and seen by the Guardian, guarantees tickets to 12 of the best matches but also confirms they must accept 12 of the worst matches. JB Sports Marketing was represented at the briefing in Zurich by Schild, a director of the company. Asked whether the company had behaved improperly in any way under Swiss law, he said: “Absolutely not.” Alon alleges that at a March 2013 meeting at Valcke’s office, after he said he would be looking at a $300,000 loss on the 12 worst matches, the Fifa secretary general offered to ensure he got tickets for the best Germany and Brazil matches. Another email shows that the new tickets were allocated accordingly.
In an email Alon claims was sent to Valcke in April 2013, Alon details how much was being made on each ticket. Fifty tickets for a second-round match in São Paulo with a face value of $230 sell for $1,300 each and 600 tickets for Germany’s first-round game sell for three times their $190 face value. “We are doing better then [sic] the NY Stock Exchange,” writes Alon.
The deal ultimately collapsed, claims Alon, because Fifa realised it should not have agreed to sell him the tickets as the deal did not comply with Brazilian law.
Valcke wrote in an email to Alon in December 2013: “You, we, have no choice. Otherwise the deal will be canceled by Fifa or we all face as individuals criminal offense. It is not a joke. It is very serious.
“So avoid too many advice. Just do it if I may say using a slogan from one company involved. All is clear and has to be finalized now. Thanks. Jérôme.” Valcke is understood to claim that this email was discussing the termination because of Alon’s conduct. JB Sports Marketing was asked to sign the contract through Match, Fifa’s official licensed hospitality and ticketing partner, instead.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/sep/17/fifa-jerome-valcke-world-cup-tickets

Edited by Chicog
wilai Platinum Member

wilai

Posted
Posted

So, Blatter is now being rejected by beer, soft drinks, burgers and credit cards!...Good job he isn't a studentbiggrin.png ......or a yank!tongue.png

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