FIFA Corruption Investigation: Latest News, Comments and Rumours

FIFA President Sepp Blatter, UEFA counterpart Michel Platini and FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke were all provisionally suspended for 90 days on Oct. 8 following recommendation from world football's ethics committee.

Blatter appealed the decision 24 hours later and is "sure he will be found not guilty," according to his adviser, Klaus Stohlker, as relayed by Martyn Ziegler of the Press Association. Platini also appealed, as tweeted by Ziegler.

The suspensions mark arguably the most significant development so far in the investigation into widespread allegations of corruption within FIFA.

Former FIFA Vice-President Chung Mong-joon, meanwhile, received a six-year ban for multiple charges levied against him in January. 

Jack Warner, another former vice-president, was banned from football for life on Sept. 29 after "various acts of misconduct" related to the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Continue for updates.

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Blatter, Platini, Valcke and Chung Suspended; Platini Vows to Fight Back

Thursday, Oct. 8

FIFA released the following statement:

"

The adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee chaired by Hans Joachim Eckert has provisionally banned FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, UEFA President and FIFA Vice-President Michel Platini, and FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke (who has already been put on leave by his employer FIFA) for a duration of 90 days.

The duration of the bans may be extended for an additional period not exceeding 45 days. The former FIFA Vice-President Chung Mong-joon has been banned for six years and fined CHF 100,000. During this time, the above individuals are banned from all football activities on a national and international level. The bans come into force immediately. 

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Blatter stands accused of "signing a contract 'unfavourable' to football's governing body and making a 'disloyal payment' to UEFA President Michel Platini," as relayed by BBC Sport. Platini's involvement in the alleged payment prompted his own suspension, per Owen Gibson of the Guardian.

However, Platini signalled his intent to clear his name, insisting in the following statement provided by Ziegler he still plans to run for FIFA presidency:

Prince Ali bin Hussein has also submitted his candidacy for FIFA presidency, per Sky Sports News.

UEFA confirmed it won't suspend Platini despite his FIFA ban, per Sky Sports News, with Platini later noting the charges against him are "astonishingly vague," as tweeted by the same outlet.

Valcke, meanwhile, had already been relieved of his FIFA duties on an indefinite basis. Gibson relayed the ticket scheme allegations aimed at the former secretary general.

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Warner Issued Life Ban

Tuesday, Sept. 29

Warner, who was also previously the president of CONCACAF, was "found to have committed many and various acts of misconduct continuously and repeatedly during his time as an official in different high-ranking and influential positions at FIFA and CONCACAF," explained a FIFA statement, per BBC Sport.

"In his positions as a football official, he was a key player in schemes involving the offer, acceptance, and receipt of undisclosed and illegal payments, as well as other money-making schemes," the statement added.

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Investigators Confirm More Charges Expected

Monday, Sept. 14

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and her Swiss counterpart Michael Lauber gave a press conference, providing updates on the ongoing investigation.

Lynch noted investigators have expanded their search, per Sky Sports News HQ, adding "authorities [...] expect to file more criminal charges."

As the Daily Mirror's Ed Malyon reported, 18 individuals and two corporate entities have been indicted since the probe came to light at the end of May, when a number of FIFA officials were arrested in Switzerland, per the Guardian's Gibson and Damien Gayle on May 27.

On Sept. 14, Lauber told reporters 11 terabytes of information had been seized so far, but the investigation is "not even at half-time." He also commented on his decision to seize several properties in the Alps, via the Guardian's David Conn: "Investments in real estate can be misused for the purpose of money laundering."

Investigators are looking into FIFA's decision to hand the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, respectively, as well as racketeering and bribery charges.