Outgoing Fifa president Sepp Blatter is subject to FBI and US prosecutors’ investigations into federal corruption following a week of scandal that has rocked football, according to reports.
The New York Times, ABC News in the US and Reuters reported that Blatter, who announced his intention to resign from his position on Tuesday, is under investigation by US authorities as part of the same operation that led to the arrest of seven Fifa officials at a hotel in Zurich last Wednesday, and the indictment of a total of 14 worldwide.
Several law enforcement officials in the US, speaking to the New York Times on the condition of anonymity, and sources familiar to ABC News, confirmed that the 79-year-old Blatter was the latest Fifa official to fall under the US authorities’ scrutiny.
The international news agency Reuters said Blatter “is being investigated by US prosecutors and the Federal Bureau of Investigation” reporting “a person who spoke on condition of anonymity”.
The former Fifa vice-president, Jack Warner, current vice presidents Jeffrey Webb and Eugenio Figueredo, and the former president of Concacaf, Nicolás Leoz, were among those arrested last week on charges of fraud, racketeering and money laundering conspiracies.
The New York Times reported that investigators were hoping that those already indicted would cooperate with them to bring charges against Blatter while ABC News quoted one source as saying there is now a race to see who will turn against Blatter first in a bid to save themselves.
Last week, after his re-election, Blatter said: “The Americans are making investigations they have right to do so, I have no concerns, I especially have no concerns about my person.”
The FBI has not commented publicly on the claims.
Blatter is unlikely to face charges in his home country after the Swiss attorney general confirmed he is not under investigation.
“The OAG [Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland] has opened criminal proceedings against persons unknown on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and of money laundering,” the OAG said in a statement. “Therefore, Joseph S. Blatter is not under investigation by the OAG. His announced resignation will have no influence on the ongoing criminal proceedings.”
Blatter announced on Tuesday he was stepping down from his position in a stunning about-face just days after being re-elected for a fifth term at the helm of world football’s governing body. The Swiss saw off competition from his only challenger Prince Ali when the Jordanian withdrew after losing the first round of voting.
Blatter’s departure will not be immediate, however, after he expressed an intention to stay on until an extraordinary meeting is organised between December this year and March 2016, at which point his successor can be elected.