Initial reports that today’s arrests of FIFA officials in Switzerland had nothing to do with Russia and were connected only to the selection of Qatar as the host of the football World Cup have not been confirmed.
Here is the statement on the website of the Swiss prosecutor’s office. They have opened a criminal case (in addition to the case in the United States) concerning the 2022 and 2018 championships—that is, both Qatar and Russia. The allegations are “criminal mismanagement” (as I understand it, this could include both bribery and abuse of office) and money laundering.
Places