BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - ANOTHER corruption scandal has rock football's world governing body FIFA just two days before member countries are slated to vote in the organisation’s Presidential Election.
Seven FIFA officials, including Vice President and CONCACAF's President Jeffrey Webb from the Cayman Islands, were arrested on numerous corruption charges in Switzerland where they had gathered for Friday's Presidential Election.
According to BBC Sports, "Swiss police made dawn raids at the Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich, where FIFA officials are staying ahead of Friday's presidential election.
"The seven FIFA officials were arrested after the US Department of Justice issued a 47-count indictment charging 14 defendants with racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies in a 24-year scheme."
It also reported that the FBI raided the offices of CONCACAF in Miami.
US Attorney-General Loretta Lynch described the FIFA corruption as "rampant, systemic and deep-rooted".
"It spans at least two generations of soccer officials who, as alleged, have abused their positions of trust to acquire millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks."
The seven who were arrested are Webb, Eduardo Li, Julio Rocha, Costas Takkas, Eugenio Figueredo, Rafael Esquivel and Jose Maria Marin. They now face extradition to the United States.
BBC Sports also indicated that some of the charges include bribes lined to commercial deals that date back to the 1990s in the US and Latin America.
Trinidad and Tobago's Jack Warner, who is a former FIFA Vice President and who was kicked out of FIFA in 2011 for alleged corruption, was also mentioned in this scandal and some international media indicated that he too was arrested.
In a statement released to the media this morning, Warner insisted that he was not involved in any corruption and that he was not arrested.
"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 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."
Warner also stated that the actions of FIFA no longer concerns him, but noted the timing of the arrests.
"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."
BBC Sports also reported that a probe was launched into the awarding of the hosting rights to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
It further stated that electronic data was seized from FIFA's headquarters in Zurich as part of a investigation into "criminal mismanagement and money laundering".
Ten FIFA Executive Committee Members who took part in the voting process in 2010 are expected to be questioned by Swiss Police.
Russia was awarded the 2018 World Cup and construction of facilities has already begun. However, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko told BBC that he had nothing to hide and welcomed the investigation.
FIFA however insist that Friday's election would proceed.
