This Just In: Swiss Attorney General Opens Criminal Case Against FIFA's Sepp Blatter

The head of FIFA is accused of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation:

On the one hand, the OAG suspects that on 12 September 2005 Mr. Joseph Blatter has signed a contract with the Caribbean Football Union (with Jack Warner as the President at this time); this contract was unfavorable for FIFA. On the other hand, there is as suspicion that, in the implementation of this agreement, Joseph Blatter also violated his fiduciary duties and acted against the interest of FIFA and/or FIFA Marketing & TV AG.

Additionally, Mr. Joseph Blatter is suspected of a disloyal payment of CHF 2 Mio. to Michel Platini, President of Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), at the expense of FIFA, which was allegedly made for work performed between January 1999 and June 2002 ; this payment was executed in February 2011.

This is a developing story and we’ll update it when we learn more. In the meantime, here’s Moisés Naím writing for us on the meaning of Blatter’s resignation from FIFA this summer. And below are some instant reactions to the new developments:

Blatter press conference cancelled: FIFA: FIFA President Sepp Blatter has cancelled his much-anticipated press... http://t.co/Rzk6aZoUW4

— Paragon (@Paragon____) September 25, 2015

"The office of the FIFA President has been searched and data seized." - Swiss AG on #SeppBlatter charges

— Brian Ries (@moneyries) September 25, 2015

Platini has thrown Sepp Blatter under the bus to save himself. Hopefully the bus then reverses back over him.

— Sam Wilson (@MrSamWilson) September 25, 2015

No matter what happens, Sepp Blatter should still have to spend Summer 2022 in Qatar.

— Paul Pabst (@PaulPabst) September 25, 2015