Audio By Carbonatix
FIFA is in "disarray", Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has claimed, after criminal proceedings were opened against outgoing president Sepp Blatter.
FIFA is in "disarray", Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has claimed, after criminal proceedings were opened against outgoing president Sepp Blatter.
The Swiss attorney general said Blatter is suspected of criminal mismanagement or misappropriation over a TV rights deal he signed with former Caribbean football chief Jack Warner in 2005.
He is also suspected of "a disloyal payment" in 2011 of two millions Swiss francs (£1.35million) to UEFA president Michel Platini - the favourite to succeed Blatter - for work carried out by the Frenchman more than nine years before between 1999 and 2002.
Blatter and UEFA president Platini both deny wrongdoing but - coming a week after FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke was suspended after being implicated in a ticket scandal - it is another momentous development for FIFA.
"What is clear is that FIFA must be in disarray," Dyke told ITV News. "Last week their general secretary got suspended and this week the president is being interviewed by police."
Blatter's American lawyer Richard Cullen insisted "no mismanagement" had occurred.
Cullen said in a statement: "Mr Blatter is cooperating and we are confident that when the Swiss authorities have a chance to review the documents and the evidence they will see that the contract was properly prepared and negotiated by the appropriate staff members of FIFA who were routinely responsible for such contracts, and certainly no mismanagement occurred."
Platini said he had clarified matters about the payment with the Swiss authorities after being interviewed as a witness.
"Regarding the payment that was made to me, I wish to state that this amount relates to work which I carried out under a contract with FIFA and I was pleased to have been able to clarify all matters relating to this with the authorities," the Frenchman said.
In 2005, Blatter signed a contract for World Cup TV rights with the Caribbean Football Union, controlled by Jack Warner. Warner's company later sold the rights on for an £11million profit.
-
Follow Joy Sports on Twitter: @Joy997FM. Our hashtag is #JoySports
Latest Stories
-
Iran supreme leader admits thousands killed during recent protests
6 minutes -
Judiciary to roll out court decongestion measures, galamsey courts – Chief Justice
1 hour -
Ugandan leader to extend 40-year rule after being declared winner of contested poll
2 hours -
Residents demand action on abandoned Salaga–Kumdi–Kpandai road
2 hours -
Ghana, Japan explore ways to deepen long-standing bilateral ties
2 hours -
Ghana Navy foils illegal fuel bunkering operation along Volta coastline
2 hours -
Gov’t assures minimal power disruption during WAPCo gas pipeline maintenance
3 hours -
Burna Boy and Sporty Group unveil new single “For Everybody” celebrating Africa’s sports heritage and cultural excellence
3 hours -
Achieve By Petra partners Richie Mensah to drive financial independence
3 hours -
Kwakye Ofosu says cost of living eased under Mahama government
4 hours -
Total banking deposits stood at GH¢302.0bn in October 2025, but foreign currency deposits contracted by 21%
5 hours -
Interior Minister calls for collective action to enhance security in Ashanti Region
5 hours -
Baobab: Tree of life dying as climate change ravages Northern Ghana
5 hours -
Extradition of Ofori-Atta and Tamakloe-Attinou could take up to three years – Victoria Bright
5 hours -
Government pledges support for Accra commuters amid transport challenges
5 hours
