FIFA: US authorities make formal extradition request for the 7 arrested leaders to the Swiss FOJ

US authorities have made a formal application to their Swiss counterparts to request the extradition of the seven leaders in football detained in Switzerland since 2705/2015 in association with the FIFA corruption scandal, announced the Swss FOJ (Federal Office of Justice) on 02/07/2015.

“The requests are based on the arrest warrants issued on 20/05/2015 by the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, which is investigating high-ranking FIFA officers on suspicion of taking bribes worth over $100m," stated the Swiss FOJ.

“In return, those suspected of paying the bribes -- representatives of sports media and sports promotion firms -- are believed to have received media, marketing and sponsorship rights for soccer tournaments in the United States and in Latin America. These crimes are thought to have been agreed and prepared in the USA, and payments were allegedly routed through US banks,” added the Swiss FOJ.

• Under the process the seven officials will now be offered the opportunity for a formal extradition hearing, conducted by the Cantonal Police in…