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Friday, March 29, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Swiss AG Investigating Embattled FIFA Head

(CN) - Swiss authorities said Friday that embattled FIFA president Sepp Blatter is being investigated on suspicion of "criminal mismanagement and misappropriation."

Switzerland's attorney general said the office is focusing on two transactions involving Blatter, including one relating to the head of European soccer's governing body Michel Platini - the top pick to replace Blatter as head of FIFA.

Swiss authorities also believe Blatter signed a contract practically giving away the television rights for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups to former FIFA official Jack Warner, one of seven men indicted in the United States on bribery charges earlier this year.

Blatter agreed to sell Warner the rights to both World Cups for just $600,000, and Warner in turn licensed those rights for $20 million - roughly 33 times what he paid for them, Swiss authorities believe.

The growing corruption scandal at FIFA led Blatter, 79, to announce his resignation in June. A vote to select his replacement is set for February 2016.

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