(Newswire.net — May 28, 2015) — Following arrests of many of its top officials, FIFA communication Chief Walter De Gregorio said in a press conference that there would be no change in FIFA’s plans for World Cup organization and there will be no rebid. The World Cup 2018 will stay in Russia, followed by the 2022 WC, which to be held in Qatar.
FIFA representative De Gregorio explained that FIFA is “the damaged party” and that the organization in fact initiated the investigation following the reports of bribery. He said that times are “difficult… but good” because FIFA needed cleanup.
Before the scheduled FIFA officials meeting Friday in Zurich, Swiss police stormed into Baur Au lac, FIFA officials’ favorite luxurious Swiss hotel, and arrested six top FIFA executives. Reportedly, among arrested managers are Jeffrey Webb, president of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football, a major figure in FIFA politics. In addition, his predecessor, Jack Warner was arrested in the raid.
The US is seeking to extradite nine FIFA officials indicted for conspiracy and corruption. The Swiss justice says six of those arrested oppose extradition, Russia Today reported.
The others held by Swiss police are: Eugenio Figueredo, a Uruguayan Association football executive and former footballer; Eduardo Li, president of the Costa Rican football federation; Julio Rocha, a Fifa development officer; Rafael Esquivel, president of the Venezuelan Football Federation; José Maria Marin, ex-president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, and Nicolás Leoz, the former South American football president.
A total of 14 officials and sports-marketing executives were charged in an indictment containing 47 counts, amongst which are taking bribes, money laundering, racketeering and wire fraud.
“It is certainly a difficult moment for us,” de Gregorio said. “It is a hard time for us. But this is good for FIFA. It confirms that we are on the right track. It hurts. It’s not easy. But it’s the right way to go.”
FIFA’s president Sepp Blatter, however, will not be stepping down, as he is “not involved” in the scandal, De Gregorio said. In fact, at the meeting on Friday, Blatter is expected to be reelected to his fifth mandate.
One of the most significant arrests is that of Jeffrey Webb, the vice president of the executive committee, who was considered a potential candidate for the FIFA’s presidential chair.