FIFA In Crisis After Arrests

FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb is believed to be one of those arrested

FIFA was plunged into crisis on Wednesday morning after Swiss authorities made early-morning arrests of six football officials.

Officers carried out a dawn raid on the five star Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich and arrested a number of officials on corruption charges, including FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb from the Cayman Islands, according to sources close to the world governing body.

It is understood that FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who is standing for re-election on Friday, is not among those arrested.

Prince Ali Bin al Hussein of Jordan, who is challenging Blatter for the FIFA presidency, said: "Today is a sad day for football.

Press Association report continues:

"Clearly this is a developing story, the details of which are still emerging.

"It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time."

FIFA is to hold a news conference at 1000 BST following the arrests, a spokesman said.

The Swiss Federal Office of Justice said six officials have been detained pending extradition to the United States on suspicion of receiving bribes totalling 100 million US dollars.

As many as 15 officials may be under investigation worldwide, according to sources.

A statement from the Swiss Federal Office of Justice said: "The six soccer functionaries were arrested today in Zurich by the Zurich Cantonal Police. The FOJ's arrest warrants were issued further to a request by the US authorities.

"The US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York is investigating these individuals on suspicion of the acceptance of bribes and kick-backs between the early 1990s and the present day.

"The bribery suspects - representatives of sports media and sports promotion firms - are alleged to have been involved in schemes to make payments to the soccer functionaries - delegates of FIFA and other functionaries of FIFA sub-organizations - totalling more than USD 100 million. In return, it is believed that they received media, marketing, and sponsorship rights in connection with soccer tournaments in Latin America.

"According to the US request, these crimes were agreed and prepared in the US, and payments were carried out via US banks."

Some sources among officials from the 209 associations who are gathering in Zurich ahead of Friday's Congress said Blatter is actively lobbying to have Friday's election postponed due to the crisis, though that will be opposed by Prince Ali.

Meanwhile, it emerged that 14 people have been indicted by US authorities, including Webb and disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.