7 FIFA OFFICIALS ARRESTED

MBABANE – The FIFA Congress in Zurich which is expected to commence tomorrow, has been thrown into disarray following the arrest and charging of seven senior officials.

The arrests followed an early morning raid at a luxury hotel in Zurich where seven of FIFA officials, including Vice President Jeffrey Webb of the Cayman Island, were arrested by Swiss police on charges of receiving millions of dollars in bribes.

But at the time of going to press last night, tomorrow’s presidential elections were scheduled to go ahead, with the incumbent Joseph Sepp Blatter seeking a fifth term in office.

Webb has been a long time ally of Blatter since his rise to power in 1997 when he became President of the Cayman Island Football Federations.
Reports sourced from the United Kingdom’s Daily Mail online publication yesterday said the  Swiss Federal Office of Justice had also opened criminal proceedings in connection with the 2018 and 2022 World Cups on allegations of ‘criminal mismanagement and money laundering.’

But at a FIFA press conference convened yesterday by Head of Communications Walter De Gregorio, he dismissed suggestions that there could be a re-vote to decide the hosts of the two tournaments in light of the developments. “The World Cups 2018 and 2022 will be played in Russia and Qatar,” he said.

FA President Adam ‘Bomber’ Mthethwa has led a four-man delegation to the electoral congress. He is accompanied by FA CEO Frederick Mngomezulu, Vice President Mashumi Shongwe and Head of Medicine Committee Comfort Shongwe.
Efforts to get comments from Mngomezulu in Zurich proved futile as his cellphone was on voicemail. And remaining FA Vice President Nichodemus Ace Mashwama said it could be difficult for him to comment until he has been formerly briefed by the FA delegation in Zurich.

But De Gregorio confirmed at a press conference that the election - where Blatter is up against Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan - will go ahead as planned.
“There was never such an idea to postpone the congress nor the election,” he said.
Blatter has been favoured to retain the position for the fifth consecutive term, despite strong criticism from European countries led by EUFA President Michel Platini of France – a long time supporter of the Swiss boss.

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