ZURICH — FIFA and embattled President Sepp Blatter faced more pressure on Monday as U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch warned of new indictments in a widening investigation of corruption in international soccer.
“We do anticipate pursuing additional charges against individuals and entities,” Lynch said in FIFA’s home city, citing unspecified new evidence gathered since the stunning May 27 arrests of seven people at a luxury hotel in Zurich.
Lynch spoke at a news conference alongside her Swiss counterpart, Michael Lauber, whose separate investigation of money laundering appears equally threatening to FIFA and its soon-departing president.
Lynch did not comment Monday on whether Blatter is targeted in her case, or if he faced arrest by traveling to a country which has an extradition treaty with the United States.
“I can’t give you any information about Mr. Blatter’s travel plans,” said Lynch, smiling and drawing laughs from a room packed with around 150 journalists in a Zurich hotel.
The Swiss case could spread beyond the World Cup bids won by Russia and Qatar as prosecutors sift through massive amounts of data and documents seized from FIFA headquarters in May and June.
Much of FIFA’s contracts and finances during Blatter’s 17-year presidency now seem open to investigation.
FIFA’s 209 member federations will elect Blatter’s successor on Feb. 26 in Zurich.
“I think they have a lot to consider,” Lynch said of FIFA’s response to the cases. “To anyone who seeks to live in the past and to return soccer to the days of corruption and bribery, cronyism and patronage, this global response sends a clear message: you are on the wrong side of progress.”
Thumbnail Photo via Anthony Anex/Keystone/The Associated Press
