FBI investigates Blatter’s role in $100m bribery scandal

The FBI are investigating Sepp Blatter’s role in a bribery scandal where $100million was paid to FIFA officials.

The outgoing president is being investigated by the authorities, according to the BBC, after sports marketing company ISL paid the sums to officials including former president Joao Havelange and ex-Fifa executive Ricardo Teixeira.

In return, ISL were granted lucrative television rights throughout the 1990s.

Teixeira went on to vote in the now infamous process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, with Blatter denying any knowledge of the bribes.

Read also: Corruption scandal stalls FIFA sponsorship drive

A letter acquired by the BBC, obtained by the FBI, written by Havelange, claims Blatter had ‘full knowledge of all activities’.

Blatter, who is due to step down from FIFA’s top job in Feburary next year, declined to comment on the allegations.

The Swiss is currently serving a 90-day suspension from FIFA and faces a hearing with the Ethics Committee later this month.

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