14 arrests thought to have happened worldwide, including Jack Warner and Jeffrey Webb - Sepp Blatter's heir apparent.
At least six senior FIFA officials have been arrested as part of a £65million bribery investigation dating back three decades. Swiss police carried out a dawn raid at the five star Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich this morning as FIFA gathered for its annual meeting
14 arrests thought to have happened worldwide, including Jack Warner and Jeffrey Webb - Sepp Blatter's heir apparent.
Swiss authorities detail charges as "bribes and kick-backs... totalling more than US$100m"
Russia and Qatar
You know what we said earlier about these two World Cups not being in danger?
Not. Any. More.
According to Reuters, the Swiss federal office of justice says criminal proceedings have been opened in connection with allocation of 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
That is massive.
It appears that Fifa's headquarters has been raided today in the search for evidence.
Swiss prosecutors have just confirmed that both electronic data and documents were seized in raids on several Zurich locations, and there is an indication that other hotels may have been targeted too.
30 minutes until the press conference where we will (hopefully) find out more.
Nicolas Leoz
Leoz was president of CONMEBOL from 1986 until 2013 - surviving re-election six times - when he was succeeded by Eugenio Figueredo. Upon stepping down he cited health issues.
In November of 2010 he was alleged to have been involved in bribes relating to the awarding of World Cup TV rights during the 1990s.
The BBC's Panorama programme claimed to have a document that alleged Leoz received some $730,000 from a rights distribution company who went on to to win the contract.
In 2013, Lord Triesman named Leoz while giving evidence at a Parliamentary inquiry.
Extraordinarily Leoz has also been accused of requesting a knighthood in return for supporting England's bid for the World Cup(despite the fact that non-British nationals are obviously not eligible).
Email correspondence later revealed Leoz asked for the FA Cup to be named after him.
Sample quote: Blatter - "There is no need for me to reaffirm my confidence in Leo
Eduardo Li
Li, president of the Costa Rican football federation, was due to join the executive committee on Friday.
One of the officials arrested in Zurich, Li was reportedly led out from his room earlier this morning from a side-door exit to the hotel.
He was apparently allowed to bring his luggage, all of which was emblazoned with FIFA logos.
Jack Warner
Warner is possible the most famous - and infamous - name on the list having being linked with a number of high profile controversies over the last decade.
Infamously involved in England's failed bid for the 2006 World Cup and a scandal over bonuses awarded to the Trinidad and Tobago football team at the same tournament.
Allegations have also been made relating to black market ticket sales, the 2018 World Cup and other corruption charges.
Although no longer part of Fifa and not in Zurich Warner is understood to have been arrested elsewhere.
In 2015, Warner was one of a number of Fifa executives arrested before the annual congress and charged with "wire fraud, racketeering and money laundering".
Recap
What we know so far on an incredible morning:
- 14 people are understood to have been arrested on corruption charges after global raids.
- Several have since been confirmed, including Eduardo Li, Jose Maria Marín, Jeffrey Webb and Eugenio Figueredo.
- The Swiss office of justice has worked with the FBI and US Attorney General Loretta Lynch.
A fair point from Heidi - whose work on the 'Fifa Files' has been extensive and important:
Although her wording does invoke the following film (I'd have posted the title song but it's too rude)
Who is Jeffrey Webb?
Webb rose to prominence in the Cayman Islands Football Association before being unanimously elected as president of CONCACAF in 2012.
As well as being the confederation's youngest-ever leader Webb was also, as part of that role, FIFA Vice President.
Sepp Blatter appointed him Chairman of the FIFA anti-discrimination task force in March 2013.
The pair have been closely aligned with the common viewpoint being that Webb is Blatter's anointed successor when, if ever, he steps down as FIFA President.
Sample quote: "I'm a servant of the game," said Webb. "When I set out to volunteer and be involved in this game, it was about passion, it was about my football club and helping them.
USA! USA! USA!
The Americans have led this crusade, and there may be something in it for them if you believe the bookies:
The USA are just 3/1 with Ladbrokes to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, claims a predatory press release.
As news of high-profile arrests within FIFA emerge the bookies have been forced to re-open their market on where the 2022 tournament will be held.
Qatar remain the 1/6 favourites but the USA and Australia (8/1) are the two most likely nations to host the tournament if the FIFA meltdown worsens. England are the 25/1 sixth favourites to host the event.
There will be a live stream of the press conference in just over an hour, where Sepp Blatter is expected to leave his director of communications, Walter De Gregorio, to face the music.
Astonishing video
Jose Maria Marin, one of the 14 arrested this morning, caused controversy in 2012 during the Sao Paulo Youth Football Cup.
The then Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president appeared to pocket a medal that should have been given to one of the players - video of which is below.
Marin, now 83, held the role of CBF president between March 2012 and 2015.
Sepp Blatter NOT expected at press conference
Fifa have called a press conference for 1100 CET (that's 10am here) but crucially it is with Walter De Gregorio - Fifa Director of Communications & Public Affairs.
One name conspicuous by its absence from the email is that of Joseph Blatter, who presumably doesn't fancy facing a baying media today.
We will see.
Qatar and Russia?
The question many people are posing now is whether the World Cups in 2018 and 2022 are under threat.
Immediately, you'd say no. These charges are - per the Swiss office of justice - regarding "the acceptance of bribes and kick-backs" but crucially they are "in connection with soccer tournaments in Latin America."
This would suggest that those two World Cups aren't under the spotlight right now, and - infamously - the voting for that was cleared of wrongdoing in the Garcia Report.
Although the less said about that, the better.
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