World News
SA government implicated in FIFA scandal─── 18:48 Wed, 27 May 2015
Johannesburg - The South African government has been implicated in the FIFA scandal.
According to the BBC it emerged this afternoon that bribes were used to corrupt the awarding of the FIFA world cup to South Africa in 2010.
The US Attorney General Loretta Lynch was giving details of the US investigation into football's governing body.
Bribes and kickbacks are estimated to be more than $150m over a 24-year period. According to the indictment one of those indicted, former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner, took $10 million in bribes from the South African government over the 2010 World Cup. Acting US attorney for the eastern district of New York, Kelly Currie, says it's an ongoing investigation.
Marketing companies have also been implicated.
Seven sports officials were arrested in Switzerland today. If found guilty some of the officials could face jail time of up to 20 years.
A bureau chief for the SABC tweeted that no South African officials have as yet been named.
US authorities accuse 14 people, including nine football officials including two FIFA vice-presidents of corruption “that is rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted.” Swiss authorities carried out seven arrests ahead of Friday’s congress in which FIFA president Sepp Blatter seeks reelection.
In addition, Swiss authorities opened a separate probe on possible corruption around the World Cup host election for 2018 and 2022, seizing documents and other information at FIFA headquarters.
Sources: BBC News, eNCA
