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Fifa corruption: Swiss banks 'reported account suspicions' Fifa corruption: Swiss banks 'reported possible money laundering'
(about 1 hour later)
Swiss banks reported suspicious activity around accounts of football's world governing body Fifa, says the Swiss attorney general. Swiss prosecutors are investigating 53 cases of possible money laundering in their inquiry into bidding for the 2018 and 2022 Fifa World Cups.
Michael Lauber said his office was analysing a "huge amount" of seized Fifa data in its corruption inquiry. Attorney General Michael Lauber said the incidents had been reported by Swiss banks.
He said he did not rule out interviews with Fifa president Sepp Blatter as part of his investigation. He said his office was analysing a "huge amount" of seized Fifa data in its inquiry.
The inquiry surrounds possible criminal activity in the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. The Swiss investigation is running in parallel to one being carried out by the US.
Leading Fifa official Domenico Scala has said Russia and Qatar could lose those tournaments if evidence emerges of bribery. The 2018 and 2022 World Cups were awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively. But leading Fifa official Domenico Scala has said the awards could be cancelled if evidence emerges of bribery.
Both countries deny any wrongdoing.Both countries deny any wrongdoing.
'Complex' inquiry
Fifa is facing claims of widespread corruption after Swiss police raided a hotel in Zurich - where Fifa is based - and arrested seven of its top executives last month.Fifa is facing claims of widespread corruption after Swiss police raided a hotel in Zurich - where Fifa is based - and arrested seven of its top executives last month.
The seven were held at the request of the US department of justice, which has charged 14 current and former Fifa officials and associates on charges of "rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted" corruption. The seven were held at the request of the US justice department which has charged 14 current and former Fifa officials and associates on charges of "rampant, systemic, and deep-rooted" corruption.
The charges follow a major inquiry by the FBI. The charges follow a three-year inquiry by the FBI.
Until now, much less has been revealed about the Swiss investigation than the inquiry being led by the FBI. Also in May, Swiss prosecutors opened separate criminal proceedings "against persons unknown on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and of money laundering" in connection with the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Mr Lauber told a news conference that his investigation was looking at 53 banking relationships reported by the Swiss financial intelligence unit. However, until now, much less has been revealed about the Swiss investigation than the inquiry being led by the FBI.
"We are facing a complex investigation with many international implications. The prosecution is ongoing and will take time. The world of football needs to be patient - by its nature, this investigation will take more than the legendary '90 minutes'," he said. Mr Lauber told a news conference that the investigation was "huge and complex on many levels" and would take a long time.
"We note positively that banks in Switzerland did fulfil their duties to file suspicious activity reports. Partly in addition to 104 banking relations already known to the authorities, banks announced 53 suspicious banking relations via the anti-money-laundering framework of Switzerland," he said.
Mr Lauber said he did not rule out interviews with Fifa president Sepp Blatter as part of his investigation.
Mr Blatter has denied any wrongdoing and announced earlier this month that he will resign.
Mr Lauber said his investigation was separate from that being carried out by the FBI and that documents and data would not be shared automatically with the US.
He added: "The world of football needs to be patient. By its nature, this investigation will take more than the legendary 90 minutes."