Two high-ranking FIFA officials were arrested by Swiss police Thursday, and are suspected of accepting millions in dollars in bribes.
The raids, which come after “arrest requests” submitted by the Department of Justice last week, came early morning in Zurich, according to the Swiss Justice Ministry.
“According to the arrest requests, some of the offenses were agreed and prepared in the United States and payments were also processed via U.S. banks,” the Swiss Justice Ministry said.
“The two suspects are now under so called extradition detention,” Ingrid Ryser, spokeswoman for the Swiss Justice Ministry told NBC News. “If they appeal their extradition, the process could take a long time.”
Officials said FIFA officials received the bribes in return for selling market rights in connection with tournaments in Latin America, as well as World Cup qualifying matches.
The minister is expected to release the names of the two men later Thursday.
In May, Swiss authorities arrested seven FIFA officials on suspected corruption charges. Since then, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has been suspended and is currently under investigation on corruption allegations.
