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What to Know About the U.S. Investigation Into Soccer’s Governing Body

4 minute read

Police in Zurich arrested seven top officials of FIFA, the federation that runs world soccer after the U.S. Justice Department in New York unsealed indictments of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering against them and seven others. Then Swiss police raided FIFA’s headquarters in that city, carting away hordes of documents and hard drives, with Switzerland’s attorney general charging that Russia and Qatar had effectively bought their hosting rights for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments, respectively. The soccer world is reeling and here’s why:

What is FIFA?
FIFA is the French acronym for the International Federation of Association Football, or soccer as it is known in the U.S. Headquartered in Zurich, it has grown from just eight European countries in 1904 to a global behemoth now, comprising 209 national soccer organizations, which pay dues, and compete in the World Cup every four years.

How corrupt is the soccer world?
The U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch says the corruption within FIFA has gone on for decades, involves millions of dollars in bribes, and is ““rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted” both inside the U.S. and abroad. Top officials allegedly took millions in bribes from countries vying to win hosting rights to the World Cup, which takes place every four years and is the biggest sporting event on the planet. Just two weeks ago Argentina’s iconic player Diego Maradona called FIFA “a mafia.”

What are the charges against soccer officials?
The U.S. alleges top FIFA officials took, or agreed to take, “well over $150 million in bribes and kickbacks” to lock in big money-making marketing rights.” FBI director James Comey said there was “a culture of corruption and greed” for many years. Also on Wednesday, Switzerland’s Attorney General’s Office raided FIFA headquarters and seized documents and hard drives, saying they’re investigating separate money-laundering and criminal-mismanagement charges, in connection with FIFA members’ vote to hand Russia hosting rights for the World Cup 2018, and tiny oil-rich Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.

How rich is FIFA?
FIFA makes billions from the World Cup tournaments. Much of that money comes from TV broadcast rights and marketing deals. Last week FIFA released its 2014 financial statement, showing that it made $4.5 billion from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, with $2.6 billion in clear profit after expenses.

Who’s been arrested?
The most famous people in custody are Jeffrey Webb, FIFA’s vice president and head of the Miami-based COCACAF, which runs soccer in the U.S., Canada, Central America and the Caribbean; and Jack Warner, the previous COCACAF president. Also facing trial are the soccer presidents for Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Webb is a close ally to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, and until Wednesday many regarded him as Blatter’s likely successor.

What happens next?
The seven FIFA officials arrested in Zurich could be extradited to New York City to stand trial with seven others arrested in the U.S. and elsewhere. (Here is the full list of defendants.) As FBI investigators pore over the FIFA documents the Swiss seized on Wednesday, it is possible that others could face charges of wrongdoing. In New York City, acting U.S. Attorney Kelly Currie said the indictments showed that officials were determined to stamp up soccer corruption completely. “Let me be clear: this indictment is not the final chapter in our investigation,” he said.

FIFA will also face intense pressure to publish an anticorruption report, which a former New York prosecutor, Michael Garcia, prepared for the organization last November, and which has never been made public.

What’s FIFA’s response?
FIFA says it will go ahead with its congress in Zurich, including voting Friday for the organization’s president. FIFA’s current president Blatter, who has run the organization for 17 years, is standing for a fifth four-year term. Blatter is not under indictment, but the arrests and charges could cause irreparable damage to his leadership. Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Hussein is standing against him in Friday’s vote, in a campaign to end decades of corruption.

Will FIFA cancel the Russian and Qatar World Cups?
So far FIFA insists the 2018 and 2022 Word Cups will go ahead as planned. But that could change: FIFA spokesman Walter de Gregorio told reporters in Zurich, “Russia and Qatar will be played. This is what is fact today. I don’t go into speculation about what will happen tomorrow.”

Stunning similarities of the 2014 World Cup

A silhouette of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo is seen reacting during their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match agaisnt Germany at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador
Left: Argentina's Lionel Messi prepares to shoot a corner kick during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Switzerland at the Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo. Right: A silhouette of Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo is seen reacting during their match against Germany at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador.Victor R. Caivano—AP; Dylan Martinez—Reuters
Left: Argentina soccer fans celebrate as they travel on a train towards the Corinthians arena at the Luz Station before the match between Argentina and Switzerland. Right: Fans of England gather in a bar ahead of the England's match against Uruguay in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Left: Argentina soccer fans celebrate as they travel on a train towards the Corinthians arena at the Luz Station before the match between Argentina and Switzerland. Right: Fans of England gather in a bar ahead of the England's match against Uruguay in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Nacho Doce—Reuters; Oli Scarff—Getty Images
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Left: US fans cheer before the start of the match between the US and Belgium in Chicago. Right: Mexico's fans celebrate holding a mask of Mexico's head coach Miguel Herrera after the group A World Cup soccer match between Croatia and Mexico at the Arena Pernambuco.Tannen Maury—EPA; Ricardo Mazalan—AP
A reflection of cheering fans is seen before the 2014 World Cup opening match between Brazil and Croatia at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo
Left: A reflection of cheering fans is seen before the 2014 World Cup opening match between Brazil and Croatia at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo. Right: Brazilian fans await the kick off of a Group A football match between Brazil and Croatia at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo.Ivan Alvarado—Reuters; Odd Andersen—Getty Images
Brazil's Neymar controls the ball against Cameroon during their 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia
Left: Argentina's Lionel Messi fights for the ball during their match against Iran at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte. Right: Brazil's Neymarcontrols the ball against Cameroon during their match at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia.Kai Pfaffenbach—Reuters; Dominic Ebenbichler—Reuters
Fan of the U.S. is pictured before their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match against Portugal at the Amazonia arena in Manaus
Left: Fans of Brazil during the game between Brazil vs Germany in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Right: A US fan before their 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match against Portugal at the Amazonia arena in Manaus.Victor Moriyama—Getty Images; Dylan Martinez—Reuters
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Left: Colombia's midfielder James Rodriguez reacts as he leaves the pitch after the quarter-final football match between Brazil and Colombia at the Castelao Stadium. Right: Brazil's Neymar reacts to a missed shot during the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals between Brazil and Colombia at the Castelao arena. Eitan Abramovich—AFP/Getty Images; Jorge Silve—Reuters
World Cup Fans Gather To Watch Matches In Rio
Left: A group of Chilean soccer fans walk through the streets as they wait for their team to play Spain during the World Cup. Right: Fans of England wearing full-body suits pose for a photograph in a bar before the England match against Uruguay on in Sao Paulo.Joe Raedle—Getty Images; Oli Scarff—Getty Images
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Left: Argentine striker Lionel Messi celebrates his goal against Iran during their match in Belo Horizonte. Right: Costa Rica's Joel Campbell celebrates with the match ball after scoring against Uruguay during their match at the Castelao stadium.Gustavo Andrade—AFP/Getty Images; Dominic Ebenbichler—Reuters
Nuns from the enclosed monastery of Imaculada Conceicao, celebrate their victory at the end of the 2014 World Cup quarter-final soccer match between Brazil and Colombia in Piratininga
Left: Patients at the Asuncion Psychiatric Hospital watch the first match of the World Cup between Brazil and Croatia, in Asuncion, Paraguay. Right: Nuns from the enclosed monastery of Imaculada Conceicao celebrate Brazil's victory as they watch on television.Jorge Saenz—AP; Nacho Doce—Reuters
Ivory Coast's Serey Die is seen from the back during their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match against Japan at the Pernambuco arena in Recife
Left: Brazil's Neymar stands during the 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match between Brazil and Mexico at the Right: Ivory Coast's Geoffroy Serey Die is seen from the back during their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match against Japan.Marcelo del Pozo—Reuters; Brian Snyder—Reuters;
Left: Portugal fans pose prior to the Group G match between Germany and Portugal at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, Brazil. Right: Brazil fans pose prior to the game between Brazil vs Germanyin Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Left: Portugal fans pose prior to the Group G match between Germany and Portugal at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, Brazil. Right: Brazil fans pose prior to the game between Brazil vs Germanyin Belo Horizonte, Brazil.Odd Andersen—AFP/Getty Images; Nilton Fukuda—DPA/ZUMA Wire
England's goalkeeper Hart rolls inside the goalpost after Italy's Balotelli scored during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Amazonia arena in Manaus
Left: Brazil's forward Neymar reacts after missing a goal opportunity during a match between Brazil and Mexico in the Castelao Stadium. Right: England's goalkeeper Joe Hart rolls inside the goalpost during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Amazonia arenaFrancois Xavier Marit—AFP/Getty Images; Francois Marit—Reuters
A fan of Argentina waits for the start of their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match against Bosnia at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro
Left: A Japan fan looks on before the 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match against Colombia at the Pantanal arena Right: A fan of Argentina waits for the start of their 2014 World Cup match against Bosnia at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Jorge Silva—Reuters;Pilar Olivares—Reuters
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Left: A life-size image of a woman promoting a shop stands in the street where children play soccer in the Pelourinho neighborhood of Salvador, Brazil. Right: Local Indian footballers carry cutout portraits of Brazilian soccer player Neymar and Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi to a local football club in Kolkata, India Rodrigo Abd—AP; Dibyangshu Sarkar—AFP/Getty Images
Colombia's fans hold toy figurine of Colombia's Falcao as they watch a broadcast of the 2014 World Cup round of 16 game between Colombia and Uruguay, at Bolivar Square in Bogota
Left: Argentina soccer fans hold miniature Lionel Messi dolls while watching a telecast of the World Cup match between Argentina and Nigeria in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Right: A Colombian fan holds a toy figurine of Colombia's national soccer player Falcao as they watch a broadcast of the World Cup in Bogota, Columbia. Nabor Goulart—AP; John Vizcaino—Reuters
Left: Lionel Messi of Argentina controls the ball during the match between Argentina and Switzerland at Arena de Sao Paulo. Right: Colombia's James Rodriguez scores a goal during the match against Uruguay e at the Maracana stadium.
Left: Lionel Messi of Argentina controls the ball during the match between Argentina and Switzerland at Arena de Sao Paulo. Right: Colombia's James Rodriguez scores a goal during the match against Uruguay e at the Maracana stadium.Matthias Hangst—Getty Images; Felipe Dana—Reuters
Brazil Soccer WCup Argentina
Left: Argentina fans pose before a quarter-finals match between Argentina and Belgium in Brasilia, Brazil. Right: A man wearing a horse mask, stands in the middle of Argentine fans celebrating their team's victory in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Liu Dawei—Xinhua; Leo Correa—AP
Left: A Mexico soccer fan cries after her team was defeated by the Netherlands inside the FIFA Fan Fest area in Rio de Janeiro. Right: A U.S. soccer fan watches his team's World Cup match against Belgium on a live telecast inside the FIFA Fan Fest area in Rio de Janeiro.
Left: A Mexico soccer fan cries after her team was defeated by the Netherlands inside the FIFA Fan Fest area in Rio de Janeiro. Right: A U.S. soccer fan watches his team's World Cup match against Belgium on a live telecast inside the FIFA Fan Fest area in Rio de Janeiro.Leo Correa—AP (2)
Left: A fan dressed as Captain America looks on after Belgium's 2-1 victory in extra time during World Cup match between Belgium and the US. Right: A Brazil fan wearing a mask depicting Neymar sits in the stands at the end of the World Cup semi-final match between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Left: A fan dressed as Captain America looks on after Belgium's 2-1 victory in extra time during World Cup match between Belgium and the US. Right: A Brazil fan wearing a mask depicting Neymar sits in the stands at the end of the World Cup semi-final match between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.Laurence Griffiths—Getty Images; Leonhard Foeger—Reuters
Left: A donkey wears the colors of Brazil as it stands on a beach of Cumbucu, Brazil. Right: A dog wearing Brazilian soccer team colors walks on the Minhocao, a 2.2-mile stretch of highway, in Sao Paulo.
Left: A donkey wears the colors of Brazil as it stands on a beach of Cumbucu, Brazil. Right: A dog wearing Brazilian soccer team colors walks on the Minhocao, a 2.2-mile stretch of highway, in Sao Paulo.Aris Messini—AFP/Getty Images; Zackary Canepari—The New York Times
Match highlights are screened after the 2014 World Cup Group B soccer match between Spain and Chile at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro
Left: Match highlights are screened after the 2014 World Cup match between Spain and Chile in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Right: The final score is projected on a screen after the 2014 World Cup semi-finals between Germany and Brazil in Belo Horizonte, BrazilRicardo Moraes—Reuters; Damir Sagolj—Reuters
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Left: Germany's Thomas Muller celebrates a goal during a semifinal match between Brazil and Germany. Right: Argentina's Javier Mascherano and Lionel Messi celebrate after winning their FIFA World Cup semi-final match against the Netherlands.Li Ga—Xinhua; Fabrice Coffrini—AFP/Getty Images

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