Fbi Investigates Blatter In Bribery Scandal

07 Dec 2015 | tshego

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The FBI is investigating the alleged role played by FIFA president Sepp Blatter, in a $100m (£66.2m) bribery scandal featuring sports marketing company ISL, according to the BBC.

ISL paid a total of $100m to officials, including former FIFA president Joao Havelange and ex-FIFA executive Ricardo Teixeira.

In return, ISL was granted television and marketing rights throughout the 1990s, with Blatter denying knowledge of the bribes and allowing Teixeira to take part in the vote for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

A letter, apparently written by Havelange, said that Blatter had “full knowledge of all activities” and was “always apprised” of them. The letter is included in an FBI request to Swiss authorities for help with their investigation.

Blatter, who says he will stand down as head of football’s world governing body in February 2016, declined to respond to any allegations put to him.

Both Blatter and president of European governing body UEFA, Michel Platini, are currently serving provisional 90 day suspensions from FIFA, with a hearing due to take place this month.

Federal prosecutors in the United States last week announced criminal charges against 16 FIFA officials, alleging they were part of a 24 year scheme to enrich themselves while overseeing the world governing body of football.