‘Not me’, says Blatter, over criminal complaint against Infantino
May 15 – Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has denied being behind the submission of an anonymous criminal complaint against his successor, Gianni Infantino.
FIFA
Politicians urge Lauber to stand down now to save himself, and Swiss reputation
May 15 – Just days before his appearance before judicial authorities, Switzerland’s attorney general Michael Lauber has again been urged to stand down over his bungled handling of an official investigation into alleged FIFA-related corruption as well as undocumented meetings with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Criminal complaint filed with Bern prosecutor over Infantino’s secret Lauber meetings
By Paul Nicholson
May 14 – A criminal complaint has been filed against FIFA president Gianni Infantino, with the regional prosecutor’s office in Bern, Switzerland.
Swiss AG Lauber faces impeachment over botched FIFA probe and Infantino links
By Andrew Warshaw
May 14 – The fate of Switzerland’s attorney general Michael Lauber will go some way to being decided next week after he was summoned to appear before the Swiss judiciary on May 20 to defend his handling of an official investigation into alleged FIFA-related corruption as well as undocumented meetings with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Platini calls for ‘great manipulator’ Infantino to resign and for truth to be told
By Andrew Warshaw
May 13 – Still clearly hurt and convinced of having been the victim of a conspiracy, former UEFA president Michel Platini (pictured left) has launched a savage attack on Gianni Infantino (pictured right), saying the FIFA boss only acquired the most important position in world football “due to a skilful combination of circumstances”, describing him as a “great manipulator” and saying he “should resign his mandate.”
Former Swiss police chief says Infantino merits criminal investigation
May 13 – With a global pandemic gripping the world, it is turning out to be a seriously unhealthy week for FIFA president Gianni Infantino who, perhaps until recently, held a similarly vice-like grip over world football.
Swiss AG Lauber facing impeachment, as heat intensifies on Infantino dealings
By Andrew Warshaw
May 13 – The noose appears to be tightening around the neck of Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber (pictured) who today was facing the start of proceedings that could lead to his impeachment following weeks of criticism of his handling of an official investigation into alleged FIFA-related corruption.
FIFA reschedules U17 and U20 women, as well as Futsal World Cup, for 2021
May 12 – FIFA has named the dates for two key women’s events for next year that were postponed last month because of the coronavirus pandemic.
IFAB set to rubber-stamp new five subs law to the end of current season
May 7 – Following a recommendation last month by FIFA, football’s lawmakers are set to announce a “temporary” change to the laws allowing teams to make up to five substitutions when fixtures resume in the wake of Covid-19.
Blatter questions Infantino’s deal(ings) with Swiss AG Lauber
May 6 – Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has hit back at the governing body and current president Gianni Infantino’s request that the Swiss public prosecutor’s office continue to investigate him.
Money laundering Israeli Bank Hapoalim pays $30m to US Justice Dept in FIFAgate deal
By Andrew Warshaw
May 1 – In a new and unexpected twist to the FIFAgate scandal that the current regime of Gianni Infantino is determined to move on from, Israel’s largest bank, Hapoalim, has been dramatically dragged into the long-running saga by agreeing to pay $30 million for its previously unknown role in money laundering.
FIFA fury over collapse of Germany 2006 World Cup bribery case
By Andrew Warshaw
April 28 – In a rare intervention indicative of its frustration verging on anger, FIFA has slammed the collapse of the 2006 World Cup fraud trial in Switzerland that allowed three prominent former German football supremos to escape a verdict.
FIFA medical chief d’Hooghe says leagues should forget this season and plan for next
April 29 – FIFA’s chief medical expert has warned countries against resuming their seasons too early because of Covid-19 and believes it makes far more sense to prepare fully for next season instead.
Lauber under renewed pressure as 2006 World Cup fraud case runs out of time
By Andrew Warshaw
April 28 – Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber is facing calls for his resignation amidst accusations that the entire Swiss criminal justice system has been undermined over the botched 2006 World Cup tax fraud investigation. The case briefly came to trial following a five-year investigation but has now controversially collapsed.
Panama Papers, off-shore TV rights deals and Lauber meeting cover-ups return to bite Infantino
By Andrew Warshaw
April 28 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino is once again facing allegations of wrongdoing in his dealings with Switzerland’s under-fire attorney general Michael Lauber over a tv rights contract he handled when he worked as UEFA’s legal affairs director.