According to widespread reports, the officials arrested by the Swiss are several top FIFA officials who they plan to extradite to the United States, where they will face federal corruption charges.
According to the New York Times, the charges against these officials include widespread corruption throughout football's governing body over the past 20 years, involving bids for World Cups as well as marketing and broadcast deals.
The report also says the officials include vice presidents Jeffrey Webb and Eugenio Figueredo, former executive committee member Jack Warner and Costa Rica federation president Eduardo Li. The New York Times reports that a total of 14 people -- nine football officials and five sports-marketing executives -- are named
in the indictment and face charges of wire fraud, racketeering and money laundering.
According to a statement released by the authorities, "The bribery suspects -- representatives of sports media and sports promotion firms -- are alleged to have been involved in schemes to make payments to the soccer functionaries -- delegates of FIFA and other functionaries of FIFA sub-organisations -- totaling more than $100 million.
"In return, it is believed that they received media, marketing, and sponsorship rights in connection with soccer tournaments in Latin America. According to the U.S. request, these crimes were agreed and prepared in the U.S., and payments were carried out via U.S. banks."
The good news however is that FIFA President Sepp Blatter is not amongst those arrested. Confirming this to The Associated Press, FIFA spokesman Walter
de Gregorio said: "he is not involved at all."
FIFA has been enmeshed in controversy in recent years with many officials including Nigeria's Amos Adamu indicted for corruption charges.
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