Corruption claims dogging Australia's futile bid to host the
2022 World Cup are set to be freshly investigated as soccer plunges into
turmoil with the arrest of senior FIFA officials.
Swiss investigators are expected to probe why Australia's
$46 million bid to host the cup received just one vote in a shady process
unexpectedly won by Qatar.
Their investigators raided the head offices of FIFA,
soccer's world governing body, on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) in a new probe into
the hosting process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
The raid came as seven high-ranking FIFA executives were
arrested at the United States' behest at a luxury Zurich hotel.
The seven are among 14 people, including one with dubious
connections to Australia's failed bid, charged with racketeering, wire fraud
and money laundering conspiracies.
The US is seeking their extradition to face charges they
conspired to solicit and receive more than $US150 million ($A194 million) in
bribes and kickbacks, in exchange for their support of marketing executives who
agreed to make the illegal payments.
US authorities say the 14 people charged face up to 20 years
in jail if found guilty.
Nine of the 14 have direct links with FIFA, including Jack
Warner, who is central to corruption allegations regarding Australia's
unsuccessful bid. The others include sports marketers.
Warner, a former FIFA vice-president from Trinidad and
Tobago, appeared in a Port of Spain court on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) facing
eight corruption charges, local media reported.
Warner has denied any wrongdoing but two of his sons have
pleaded guilty to charges related to the investigation into bribery and
kickbacks involving FIFA officials and sports marketing firms.
Australia paid Warner $500,000 in 2010 - funds meant for
soccer stadium upgrades which he allegedly stole after they were deposited in
his personal bank account.
The dramatic arrests in Zurich and elsewhere come on the eve
of a FIFA congress where Sepp Blatter is standing for a fifth term as the
organisation's president.
Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop
was in Zurich, awaiting the arrival of FFA chairman Frank Lowy later Thursday
Australian time.
"The Australian delegation will review the developments
involving Swiss and US law enforcement authorities over the conduct of FIFA
officials," the FFA said in a statement.
Lowy will arrive in Zurich amid calls for Blatter to step
down, and for the congress and presidential vote slated for Friday (European
time) to be postponed.
"These events show, once again, that corruption is
deeply rooted in FIFA's culture," the European governing body UEFA said in
a statement.
English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said Blatter
must go.
"There is no way of rebuilding trust in FIFA while Sepp
Blatter is still there ... he either has to go through a resignation, or he has
to be out-voted, or we have to find a third way," Dyke said.
Blatter, in a statement, said the developments were
concerning but gave no indication he would the heed the calls to quit.
"This is a difficult time for football, the fans and
for FIFA as an organisation," Blatter said.
"We understand the disappointment that many have
expressed and I know that the events of today will impact the way in which many
people view us."
The Asian Football Confederation, which Australia is part
of, said it still supported Blatter's bid to retain the presidency.
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