FIFA: 6 leaders of international football arrested in Zurich, at the request of US authorities

"By order of the Federal Office of Justice (FOJ), six soccer officials were arrested in Zurich (SUI) today (Wednesday 27/05/2015) and detained pending extradition. The US authorities suspect them of having received bribes totaling in the millions (US dollars)," stated the Swiss FOJ on 27/05/2015.

These senior leaders of international football were arrested in their hotel on the eve of the opening of the FIFA Congress (28 and 29/05/2015), in which the president of the international federation for the 2015-2019 period will be elected.

"The FOJ’s arrest warrants were issued further to a request by the US authorities. The US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York is investigating these individuals on suspicion of the acceptance of bribes and kick-backs between the early 1990s and the present day," stated the Swiss FOJ.

"A simplified procedure will apply for wanted persons who agree to their immediate extradition" (Full press release from the Swiss Federal Office of Justice on 27/05/2015)

"By order of the (Swiss) Federal Office of Justice (FOJ), six soccer officials were…