Two high-ranking Fifa officials have been arrested in pre-dawn raids in Zurich today as part of the anti-corruption case that has rocked football’s scandal-hit world governing body.
Swiss police swooped on the luxury Baur au Lac hotel, the scene of the arrests in May which triggered the Fifa crisis, at the request of US authorities.
The arrests of Honduran Alfredo Hawit and Juan Angel Napout, from Paraguay, came ahead of a Fifa executive committee meeting today which was scheduled to approve wide-ranging reforms to help protect against corrupt officials.
A statement from the Swiss ministry of justice said the pair were arrested on suspicion of “accepting bribes of millions of dollars”.
It added: “The men are being held in custody pending their extradition. They are alleged to have taken money in return for selling marketing rights in connection with tournaments in Latin America, as well as World Cup qualifying matches.”
Fifa acknowledged the latest controversy, saying in a statement: “Fifa became aware of the actions taken today by the US Department of Justice. Fifa will continue to co-operate with the US investigation as permitted by Swiss law, as well as with the investigation being led by the Swiss Office of the Attorney General. Fifa will have no further comment on today’s developments.”
In May, the US Department of Justice indicted two Fifa vice-presidents among 14 soccer and marketing officials linked to bribes worth tens of millions of dollars for media and marketing rights to the Copa America and other tournaments in South and Central America. Four other men made guilty pleas. The crisis led to Sepp Blatter announcing his intention to step down as president in June.
Further arrests linked to the investigation are expected today.
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