A few hours after the United States Department of Justice announced the apprehension of FIFA officials in connection with its criminal investigation into corruption in the world of soccer, the key figures behind the case gave a press conference where they shared details about what they’ve found, as well as what comes next.
9 things we learned from the FIFA corruption investigation press conference
Attorney General Loretta Lynch and others shed some light on the Department of Justice’s investigation.
Bribes for Copa America Centenario totaled 1/3 the legitimate cost of staging the tournament
The 2016 Copa America is the first to be held in the United States, and it’s going to make a lot of people a lot of money -- legitimate and illegitimate. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said that a total of $110 million in bribes was handed out to sports marketing companies and international soccer authorities in connection with the event.
And for the 2015 Gold Cup? It was 2/3 the legitimate cost.
Since the Gold Cup is a much smaller event with smaller players, the TV rights, ticket prices and sponsorships aren’t as big. But according to Kelly Currie, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, that didn’t stop the bribes from coming in around that tournament. Currie didn’t give a total figure, but said it was a bigger percentage of the actual cost of staging the tournament.
Bribery was involved in the 2011 FIFA presidential election
This was a fairly subtle and important non-bombshell dropped in by Lynch with no details, and that, strangely, none of the follow-up questions focused on. Soccer fans have accepted that Sepp Blatter’s election was aided by bribes, but this is the first time anyone of any authority has come out and said as much.
But the DOJ isn’t commenting on Sepp Blatter
Every single U.S. government authority who was present was asked about Blatter, and they all gave the same answer -- “we’re not commenting on anyone who hasn’t already been named.” Blatter was not one of the people apprehended, and the DOJ didn’t say that it’s seeking to bring him in.
However, they’re still trying to apprehend additional defendants
It’s unlikely that Blatter is one of them, but it looks likely that other high-ranking FIFA and regional confederation officials will be arrested. Lynch, Currie and FBI director James Comey also said that the investigation will continue on multiple fronts, with each department focusing on a different aspect while communicating with each other.
One FIFA executive took $10M in bribes alone
That particular executive wasn’t named, but Currie went particularly hard on FIFA vice president and CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb. He was singled out and named as someone who “used his position to collect bribes,” according to Currie.
Nike is probably in some trouble
Lynch didn’t name it specifically, but said a sports apparel company was under investigation for deals made with the Brazilian national team. There’s not really any other company that could be.
The most serious charge anyone faces is racketeering
Racketeering is a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, which is probably enough of a threat to get some of those charged with it to roll up on people above them. These are just rich suits who wanted to make some money off soccer, not mobsters. The DOJ thinks it can get the folks it has apprehended to talk about bigger fish.
Richard Weber, director of the IRS’ criminal investigation division, made this killer dad joke
GOT ‘EM.
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