Sepp Blatter under criminal investigation in Switzerland

The FIFA president is being investigated by Swiss prosecutors for alleged misconduct in the management of world football's governing body.

Blatter was hit with money by a comedian. Photo: Reuters.

The Swiss Attorney General's Office (OAG) announced the opening of an investigation into Mr. Sepp Blatter, on charges of mismanagement and embezzlement.

Mr. Blatter was invited for questioning immediately after the FIFA Executive Committee meeting in Zurich (Switzerland). The incident took place on the evening of September 25, Hanoi time.

"The Attorney General's Office collected evidence at FIFA headquarters, with the help of the Federal Criminal Police. Documents and data in Mr. Sepp Blatter's office were checked," the OAG's announcement said.

Blatter is currently being investigated over two incidents: involving former FIFA Vice President Jack Warner and UEFA President Michel Platini.

The Swiss official is suspected of selling television rights in 2005 to Warner, then president of the Caribbean Football Confederation. The deal was for a very low fee, which was unfavorable to FIFA. Warner, when investigated by the FBI, said that Blatter had suffered losses in exchange for votes in the presidential election.

In addition, Blatter is also suspected of giving Platini $2 million in 2011 under the name of FIFA.

Mr. Blatter, who has been FIFA President since 1998, has repeatedly asserted his innocence.

Platini was also questioned to provide more information. Photo: Reuters.

FIFA said it was ready to cooperate with the investigation, as it has done over the past four months.

The investigation into Mr. Blatter is considered the last thing that had to happen, after the FBI investigated and arrested 13 high-ranking FIFA officials on May 27, 2015. These people were all investigated for corruption.

Most recently, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke was also accused of corruption, profiting from inflated ticket prices for World Cup matches. The French official, considered Blatter's "right-hand man", was forced to resign.

According to VNE