FIFA Arrests: US Asks Switzerland to Extradite Officials

Local Editor

The United States asked Switzerland to extradite seven FIFA officials arrested on corruption charges in May, the Swiss authorities said.

Formal extradition requests were submitted on Wednesday, the Swiss Federal Office of Justice [FOJ] said.

The seven top FIFA executives arrested in Zurich were among 14 FIFA officials indicted on charges of "rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted" corruption.

Furthermore, the charges follow a major inquiry by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The FOJ said Zurich police, acting on its behalf, would give the seven officials a hearing over the extradition requests.

Moreover, the officials and their lawyers would have 14 days to respond to the request, which could be extended "if sufficient grounds exist", the FOJ statement said.

After that, the FOJ would give its decision "within a few weeks", but warned of a lengthy process as any ruling could be challenged in both the federal criminal court and the federal supreme court.

Jeffrey Webb, FIFA vice-president in charge of North and Central America, was among those arrested by Swiss police in a raid on a luxury hotel in the early hours of 27 May.

Consequently, they are currently being held in prisons around the Zurich region.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team