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
-
Wontumi Out, COKA In: How NPP’s new Ashanti chairman differs from his predecessor
2 hours -
With unity, we will win 2028 election – Bawumia
2 hours -
‘The restoration begins’ – Okoe Boye pledges to rebuild NPP in Greater Accra
2 hours -
Ghana, Netherlands deepen cooperation to tackle illicit drug trade
2 hours -
One dead, eight injured in head-on crash on Kasoa–Winneba Road
2 hours -
Cedi stages strong recovery as dollar supply improves, demand eases
2 hours -
Duncan-Williams warns galamsey could endanger Ghana’s future generations
2 hours -
Fire ravages wooden structures at Tantra Hill’s Golden Door area
3 hours -
Petrol prices to drop today with diesel up in mixed pump price review
3 hours -
Okoe Boye will help NPP win more seats in Greater Accra – Bawumia
3 hours -
I am open to work with everyone to win 2028 — Bawumia
3 hours -
Peace, security practitioners tasked to deepen stakeholder collaboration
3 hours -
Public pay system must balance fair wages with fiscal sustainability – Government
3 hours -
Niharika Handa makes history as King Faisal’s first female Board Chair
3 hours -
Gov’t disburses GH¢23.1bn to clear road contractors’ arrears – Roads Minister
3 hours