Danny
27-05-2015, 05:51 AM
Swiss police have arrested a number of executives from football world governing body Fifa over US corruption charges, officials have told the BBC.
Police conducted the operation at a hotel in Zurich early on Wednesday.
The charges are said to include money laundering, racketeering and wire fraud over the last 20 years.
Fifa members are gathering in Zurich for their annual meeting on Friday, where incumbent President Sepp Blatter is seeking a fifth term.
Up to six Fifa officials are reported to have been arrested. They have not been named, but Mr Blatter is not understood to be one of them.
According to the New York Times, (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/27/sports/soccer/fifa-officials-face-corruption-charges-in-us.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=a-lede-package-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0) they will be extradited to the US.
The paper reports that plain-clothed police officers took the room keys from the reception of Baur au Lac hotel, where the officials were staying, and headed upstairs to the guest room. It said the operation was carried out peacefully.
Friday's election is still expected to go ahead.
Will be interesting to see who has been arrested and what exactly they have done.
Police conducted the operation at a hotel in Zurich early on Wednesday.
The charges are said to include money laundering, racketeering and wire fraud over the last 20 years.
Fifa members are gathering in Zurich for their annual meeting on Friday, where incumbent President Sepp Blatter is seeking a fifth term.
Up to six Fifa officials are reported to have been arrested. They have not been named, but Mr Blatter is not understood to be one of them.
According to the New York Times, (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/27/sports/soccer/fifa-officials-face-corruption-charges-in-us.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=a-lede-package-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0) they will be extradited to the US.
The paper reports that plain-clothed police officers took the room keys from the reception of Baur au Lac hotel, where the officials were staying, and headed upstairs to the guest room. It said the operation was carried out peacefully.
Friday's election is still expected to go ahead.
Will be interesting to see who has been arrested and what exactly they have done.