re: NYT Exclusive: Top FIFA officials (but not Blatter) indicted, face extradition to U.S.

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FIFA says there will be no revote of the World Cups won by Russia for 2018 & Qatar for 2022 in light of arrests of FIFA officials.

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For now.

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United States law gives the Justice Department wide authority to bring cases against foreign nationals living abroad, an authority that prosecutors have used repeatedly in international terrorism cases. Those cases can hinge on the slightest connection to the United States, like the use of an American bank or Internet service provider.

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We're sending in Feds to bust guys on transactions/issues that are taking place almost entirely outside the U.S.? I guess if other countries are cool with it, that's fine. Just seems like a stretch.

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Paul Carr retweeted
SportsCenter ?@SportsCenter 9m9 minutes ago
FIFA says there will be no revote of the World Cups won by Russia for 2018 & Qatar for 2022 in light of arrests of FIFA officials.

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If those who were arrested start to talk and implicate others, that could change. Facing jail time and asset forfeiture would get them to reconsider their stance real quick.

In order for that to happen, however, the Swiss authorities will really need to drop the hammer. Let's hope they have it in them.

Apparently the NYT reporter in Zurich told CBS this morning that Blatter might be arrested.

Warner's statement :

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It has been reported that a number of Fifa officials have been arrested in Switzerland and that at least one raid conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigators in Miami is being executed at what I presume to be Concacaf offices. My name is being reported by international media as being one of those persons sought in connection with the probe.

The people of Trinidad and Tobago will know that I quit Fifa and international football more than four years ago and that over the past several years I have recommitted my life to the work of improving the lot of every citizen of every creed and race in this nation. This is where I have let my bucket down.


I have fought fearlessly against all forms of injustice and corruption.


I have been afforded no due process and I have not even been questioned in this matter. I reiterate that I am innocent of any charges. I have walked away from the politics of world football to immerse myself in the improvement of lives in this country where I shall, God willing, die.


The actions of Fifa no longer concern me. I cannot help but note however that these cross-border coordinated actions come at a time when Fifa is assembled for elections to select a President who is universally disliked by the international community. At times such as this it is my experience that the large world powers typically take actions to affect world football. World football is an enormous international business.


That is no longer my concern. My sole focus at this stage of my life is on the people of Trinidad and Tobago.


I wish to advise the hundreds of thousands of persons who support the ILP that my commitment to them and to the people of Trinidad and Tobago is undaunted and can never be broken.

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Jack Warner

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I have fought fearlessly against all forms of injustice and corruption.

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Warner's statement

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TLDR: "I'm retired, I'm trying to be a good boy now - just leave me alone and let me die in my country."

I feel like Canada and Australia could probably pull it off. Maybe Sweden and Norway as well.

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Plastic pitches = NO

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You don't think they could bring in grass for one month in the summer?