FIFA President Sepp Blatter Faces Criminal Investigation

FIFA Chief Sepp Blatter is under scrutiny from Swiss officials who have opened criminal investigations against him. Information linked to the investigation has been seized and his residence has been searched thoroughly by authorities. Sepp Blatter has been FIFA President for past 17 years and was expected to finish his term in February 2016, stated The Guardian.

Sepp Blatter is on Swiss authorities' radar on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation. According to the case reported, Blatter is said to have assigned television rights of valuable FIFA World Cup to the control of former FIFA official, Jack Warner, revealed The New York Times. He is accused of violating his fiduciary duties to FIFA in his role as president by signing the contract in 2005 which is allegedly against the favor of FIFA.

Swiss broadcaster SRF obtained the contract assigned and reported excerpts of it on its website.  The contract awarded the Caribbean Football Union rights of 2010 and 2014 World Cups for total $600,000. Warner in turn licensed those rights for $20 million, reported New York Times. Swiss authorities have also alleged that Blatter has also made disloyal payment of $2m Swiss Francs to UEFA President Michael Platini. Platini and Warner have been asked to reveal information related to this, said The New York Times.

Blatter had on several occasions hinted that he may not serve his full term till February 2016. He had also commented on few occasions that he will be ready to step down as soon as FIFA appoints a new President, reported Washington Post. Michael Platini is expected to replace him who is currently the head of European soccer's governing body.

The former French footbal captain was once known to be Blatter's right-hand man. Today he is one of Blatter's harshest critics, according to The Washing Post. Blatter would have preferred FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke to run for his exiting post.