European intelligence agency Interpol placed six
people linked to FIFA on its most-wanted list for charges of
racketeering and corruption on Wednesday. The Interpol Red Notice
is not an international arrest warrant, but informs member countries
that a judicial arrest warrant has been issued by an authority that
seeks extradition and prosecution.
The individuals on the list are former FIFA vice president
and head of the Concacaf football body Jack Warner; former FIFA
executive committee member Nicolás Leoz; Alejandro Burzaco, head of
Argentine sports marketing business Torneos y Competencias S.A.; Hugo
Jinkis and Mariano Jinkis, heads of Argentine sports marketing firm Full
Play Group S.A. and its affiliates; and José Margulies (also known as
José Lazaro), head of
broadcasting firms Valente Corp. and Somerton Ltd.
The move comes a day after the abrupt resignation
of Sepp Blatter, just days after he was re-elected as the international
soccer body's president. His resignation came amid news that U.S.
authorities had placed him under investigation as part of their
wide-ranging anti-corruption sweep.
Blatter has not been directly implicated in the criminal
investigations into FIFA underway from Washington and Switzerland, which
saw 14 FIFA-linked officials arrested last Wednesday on corruption
charges.
However, unnamed U.S. law enforcement officials told
the New York Times on Tuesday that they were hoping to convince some of
the indicted FIFA officials to provide information they could use to
build a case against higher ranking officials.
Meanwhile, FIFA’s sponsors voiced their support of Blatter’s resignation on Tuesday.
"We welcome FIFA's commitment to change," Adidas reportedly
said in a statement. "Today's news marks a step in the right direction
on FIFA's path to establish and follow transparent compliance standards
in everything they do."
Coca-Cola said Blatter’s resignation was a positive sign
for the embattled international body. "The announcement today is a
positive step for the good of sport, football and its fans," the company
reportedly said in a statement. "Our expectation remains that FIFA will
continue to act with urgency to take concrete actions to fully address
all of the issues that have been raised and win back the trust of all
who love the sport of football."
McDonald's slammed the reputation that FIFA had built up
over the years. "The allegations of corruption and questionable ethics
within FIFA have overshadowed the game and taken away from the sport,
players and fans," it reportedly said.
Visa welcomed the news and said in a statement: "We are
encouraged by the recognition by Fifa that extensive and fundamental
reform is needed as reflected by the announcement that President Blatter
is resigning.
"This is a significant first step towards rebuilding public trust, but more work lies ahead," it reportedly said.
No comments:
Post a Comment