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Interpol withdraws $22m FIFA deal over fraud charges

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The International Police (Interpol) on Friday said it is withdrawing a 10-year partnership deal with FIFA worth $22m over corruption charges trailing the football’s world governing body.

Interpol boss Juergen Stock said in a statement, that he was suspending the deal set up in May 2011 to create a 10-year “Integrity in Sport” programme.

“In light of the current context surrounding FIFA, while Interpol is still committed to developing our Integrity in Sport programme, I have decided to suspend the agreement,” Stock said.

“All external partners, whether public or private, must share the fundamental values and principles of the organisation, as well as those of the wider law enforcement community,” added Stock.

FIFA has been in the grip of a crisis since the end of May when 14 current or former officials and sports marketing executives were charged following a wave of arrests in Zurich as part of a US investigation into alleged corruption.

Interpol noted that the agreement with FIFA included a clause stating that “the funding party declares… that its activities are compatible with the principles, aims and activities of Interpol.”

FIFA reacted quickly in a statement saying it was “disappointed” and that the “success” of the programme “cannot be understated”.

It called for the programme to be resumed as soon as possible and said it was in contact with Interpol to resolve the issue.

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