A further two Fifa officials have been arrested on suspicion of accepting millions of dollars in bribes as the crisis around the world football governing body deepens.
Alfredo Hawit, president of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and vice-president of Fifa, and Juan Angel Napout, president of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and Fifa official, were arrested in Zurich, Switzerland this morning (3 December) by the Federal Office of Justice (FOJ).
Investigations conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York suspect the “high-ranking” officials of taking money in return for selling marketing rights in connection with football tournaments in Latin America, as well as World Cup qualifying matches.
Arrest requests were submitted by the United States Department of Justice on 29 November 2015. According to the requests, some of the offences were agreed and prepared in the US, with payments processed via US banks.
Hearings on the requests were held today, where both individuals opposed extradition to the US. The US will now have to submit a formal extradition request within a 40-day deadline.
The latest captures follow a
slew of arrests in Zurich on 27 May, which shone the spotlight on the organisation and its operations.
Among the original figures arrested were Jeffrey Webb and José Maria Marin – who were extradited to the US on 15 July and 3 November respectively – and Eugenio Figueredo, Eduardo Li, Julio Rocha, Costas Takkas and Rafael Esquivel, all of whom opposed extradition and have appeals pending before the Federal Criminal Court.
A total of 14 officials have been indicted since May, while outgoing president Sepp Blatter and the former candidate to be his successor Michel Platini have both been suspended for 90 days, with a life ban hanging over the head of the latter.
Separately, the allegations of corruption appear to have dented the organisation’s financial clout, with losses of £67m (US$100m, €94.7m) expected to be announced for 2015. A drop in sponsorship and money spent in legal bills have reportedly contributed to the governing body's first loss since 2001.
Fifa is currently hosting a two-day conference, discussing proposals for greater financial transparency and 12-year presidential term limits. Executives will vote on reforms with an announcement expected later today.
A presidential election to replace Blatter will take place on 26 February 2016.
