Swiss statement on criminal investigation into Sepp Blatter

[Lite Beer]

Swiss statement on criminal investigation into Sepp Blatter

BERNE, Switzerland (AP) — Statement provided by the Swiss Attorney General on the opening of criminal proceedings against FIFA President Sepp Blatter:

The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) has opened criminal proceedings against the President of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) on suspicion of criminal mismanagement as well as — alternatively — on suspicion of misappropriation.

Swiss criminal proceedings against the President of FIFA, Mr. Joseph Blatter, have been opened on 24 September 2015 on suspicion of criminal mismanagement (Article 158 Swiss Criminal Code / SCC) and — alternatively — misappropriation (Article 138 Swiss Criminal Code / SCC).

On the one hand, the OAG suspects that on 12 September 2005 Mr. Joseph Blatter has signed a contract with the Caribbean Football Union (with Jack Warner as the President at this time); this contract was unfavorable for FIFA. On the other hand, there is a suspicion that, in the implementation of this agreement, Joseph Blatter also violated his fiduciary duties and acted against the interest of FIFA and/or FIFA Marketing & TV AG.

Additionally, Mr. Joseph Blatter is suspected of a disloyal payment of CHF (Swiss francs) 2 Million to Michel Platini, President of Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), at the expense of FIFA, which was allegedly made for work performed between January 1999 and June 2002; this payment was executed in February 2011.

On 25 September 2015, representatives of the OAG interrogated the defendant Joseph Blatter following a meeting of the FIFA Executive Committee. At the same time, Michel Platini was heard as a person asked to provide information (Article 178 of the Swiss Code of Criminal Procedure).

Furthermore, the OAG conducted on 25 September 2015 a house search at FIFA Headquarters with the support of the Federal Criminal Police. The office of the FIFA President has been searched and data seized.

As for all defendants, the presumption of innocence applies for Mr. Joseph Blatter.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-09-25

[Wifflewaffle]

I can already see the I am to old and ill to stand trial trick, and him arriving to court in a wheelchair.

[Chicog]

"a disloyal payment of CHF (Swiss francs) 2 Million to Michel Platini"

Oh dear.....

[NeilSA1]

No mention of any investigation or corruption inquiry into bribes, allegedly paid for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. ​ Is Blatter blameless?

[NongKhaiKid]

This has been a long time coming and has a LONG way to go.

I wish to extend personal thanks to the Swiss authorities for their announcement because this story plus Volkswagon are headline / main news items and have thankfully reduced the overkill sob story coverage of the migrants invading Europe and wall to wall nonsense about the Pope in the US.

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Sepp Blatter under criminal investigation

GENEVA:-- The Swiss attorney general has opened criminal proceedings against Sepp Blatter on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation of FIFA funds.

The outgoing president was due to host a press conference following a two-day executive committee meeting. It was first delayed by an hour and then cancelled altogether less than five minutes before it was scheduled to start.

The 79-year-old is the subject of a two-pronged criminal investigation by the Swiss attorney, and one of the allegations is that he made “a disloyal payment” to UEFA president Michel Platini in 2011.

The former French international, who is currently the front-runner to replace Blatter, has denied any wrongdoing so far and told journalists the payment relates to work which he carried out under a contract.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2015.09.26

[how241]

I can already see the I am to old and ill to stand trial trick, and him arriving to court in a wheelchair.

+1...Yes , I think that is coming soon.

[Sam Jones]

That old Fat Cat has been aware of all the corruption and he got his cut everytime just like S..... does

Dont care if Blatter is 79 years old - Prison and confiscate all possesions from corruption ... if that happen maybe Thailand can watch and learn but wont hold my breath ....

[SheungWan]

Great news and take Platini with you.

[elgordo38]

I can already see the I am to old and ill to stand trial trick, and him arriving to court in a wheelchair.

Stop Blattering sorry Blathering. He is a cunning old fox. Like VW they should all be stripped of all their wealth right down to their shoelaces and set free naked in the wintertime.

[northernphil]

Sorry I really must get some new bins. I thought it said " sleep better under criminal investigation "