By Simon Tomlinson and Jennifer Newton for MailOnline

Interpol places two former FIFA officials including Jack Warner on its most wanted list… but it’s business as usual in Zurich where Sepp Blatter gets a ten-minute standing ovation by 400 cronies

International alerts issued by Interpol for Jack Warner and Nicolas Leoz
They and four other executives accused of racketeering and corruption
Comes day after disgraced president Sepp Blatter quits amid FBI probe
Officials demand re-run of votes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups
FA chief: ‘If I was the Qatari organisers, I wouldn’t sleep very well tonight’

Interpol has put six men linked to FIFA on its most wanted list, issuing international alerts for two former FIFA officials and four executives on charges including racketeering and corruption.

The ‘Red Notices’ announced today were issued for former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner and former executive committee member Nicolas Leoz.

Others listed were Argentinians Alejandro Burzaco and brothers Hugo and Mariano Jinkis, who together are accused of paying more than $100 million in bribes for media and commercial rights to soccer tournaments, as well as Jose Margulies, a Brazilian broadcast executive.

This afternoon the FBI has announced that part of its investigation will review the process of awarding the 2018 World Cup to Russia, and the 2022 competition to Qatar.

Swiss authorities have already launched a separate probe into the awarding process, but this is the first time American investigators have confirmed their probe will also look at this information.

The news comes a day after Sepp Blatter announced he will step down as FIFA president amid the widening corruption scandal.

But that did not stop him receiving a ten-minute standing ovation from 400 supporters when he returned to the very same auditorium at its Zurich headquarters this morning.

He was described as emotional by staff as he reportedly told them of the need for FIFA to reform.

Meanwhile, Russia and Qatar’s rights to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups respectively have also been thrown into doubt amid the corruption allegations that have rocked the sport’s world governing body.

The six men on the Interpol most wanted list are among nine FIFA officials and five sports media and promotions executives hit with U.S. charges involving more than $150 million in bribes.

Warner is accused of taking a bribe in exchange for helping South Africa secure the right to host the 2010 World Cup. He is currently on bail in Trinidad.

Leoz, the former president of South America’s soccer federation, is reportedly under house arrest in his native Paraguay.

Burzaco and brothers Hugo and Mariano Jinkis are accused of paying more than $100 million in bribes for media and commercial rights to soccer tournaments.

The Lyon-based international police body said in a statement: ‘At the request of US authorities, international wanted persons alerts have been issued for two former FIFA officials and four corporate executives for charges including racketeering, conspiracy and corruption.’

Interpol stressed that the so-called ‘Red Notices’ issued against the six were not an international arrest warrant and it cannot force national authorities to hold the suspects.

The statement added: ‘Red Notices are one of the ways in which Interpol informs its member countries that an arrest warrant has been issued for an individual by a judicial authority and seeks the location and arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition or similar lawful action.’

Swiss authorities have today announced a new law that will make it easier to investigate corruption allegations at sporting bodies located in the country.

Under current legislation, Swiss authorities cannot investigate a sporting body for corruption if the crime is deemed an ‘internal matter’, with no wider public interest.

But today politicians granted preliminary approval to a law that would give Swiss authorities extra power to investigate corruption in the future, amid fears the country’s reputation could be damaged.

As well as FIFA, the new rules will impact the International Olympic Committee and the International Cycling Union, which are also based in Switzerland.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s sports minister has denied that a $10million payment was a bribe to secure the 2010 World Cup.

Fikile Mbalula told reporters in Johannesburg today that the government wanted to ‘categorically deny’ that South Africa paid any bribes to win the right to host the tournament.

Mbalula characterised the $10 million as an ‘above-board payment’ to help soccer development in the Caribbean region of former FIFA Vice President Jack Warner.

Mbalula also says the South African government hadn’t yet received details of the indictment from the U.S. Justice Department, which alleges the $10 million was used by South Africa to win favor from Warner and other FIFA voters to back South Africa’s bid in 2004.

Swiss authorities have launched their own criminal probe into the awarding of the next two World Cups and officials around the world have lined up to demand further scrutiny of the votes and even for them to be re-run.

As Blatter signalled his exit, English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said: ‘If I was the Qatari organisers, I wouldn’t sleep very well tonight.’

Speaking on Radio 4’s Today Programme this morning, he added: ‘There has been a lot written about that process and the suggestion that large sums of money were offered.

‘Although why Qatar was awarded to host a World Cup in August against the advice of FIFA’s own security committee, I don’t know.

‘If it is found that their bid was perfectly fair then they should host the tournament, if not then yes it should be rebid.’

He said England would ‘almost certainly not’ have a chance of hosting the 2022 event if the bidding process was re-run.

He said: ‘I don’t think it will be in Europe given Russia will host the 2018 World Cup.

‘I think it would more likely go to Australia or America who were the under bidders.’

Qatar Football Association president Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Thani hit back, indicating the small Gulf state will not give up hosting soccer’s showpiece event without a fight.

‘We would urge Mr Dyke to let the legal process take its course and concentrate on delivering his promise to build an England team capable of winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar,’ he said.
The chairman of Football Federation Australia also said today that the bidding for the 2022 World Cup was not clean, explaining in an extraordinary open letter Wednesday how he felt Australia never had a chance to be given hosting rights.

The day after FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced he was resigning his post and would call a new election within nine months, FFA chairman Frank Lowy said ‘world football might just be at the dawn of a new era.’

Lowy said that since December 2010, when Australia received just one vote in its World Cup bid for 2022, ‘I have nursed a bitter grievance… we ran a clean bid.

‘I know that others did not, and I have shared what I know with the authorities…’

Qatar’s stock index tumbled as much as three per cent to a six-week low in early Wednesday trade amid heightened investor fears that Qatar could be stripped of its hosting rights.

Blatter’s shock resignation as FIFA president, hours before it emerged he was under investigation by U.S. authorities, prompted widespread calls for root-and-branch reforms at soccer’s world governing body on Wednesday.

The Swiss national, who has led FIFA for 17 years, is being investigated by U.S. prosecutors and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to a source.

An FBI spokesman declined comment and FIFA did not respond to a request for comment.

News of Blatter’s investigation was earlier reported by The New York Times and ABC News.

Blatter has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
The 79-year-old announced his decision to step down at a news conference in Zurich yesterday, six days after police raided a hotel in the city and arrested several FIFA officials – and just four days after he was re-elected to a fifth term as president.

‘FIFA needs profound restructuring,’ he said. ‘I decided to stand again to be elected because I was convinced it was the best option for football.

‘Although the members of FIFA gave me a new mandate, this mandate does not seem to be supported by everyone in the world.’

He said an election to choose a new president would be held as soon as possible, though a FIFA official said it would probably not take place until at least December.

Blatter will remain in his position until a successor is chosen.

His daughter, Corinne Blatter-Andenmatten, told a Swiss newspaper her father’s decision to stand down was not tied to recent corruption allegations.

‘His decision has nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with the allegations going around,’ she told daily Blick.

European sports officials said Blatter’s resignation, with FIFA mired in the worst crisis in its 111-year history, was an important step, but that the organisation needed deeper changes.

Another day of shame: Sepp Blatter announces he will stand down as FIFA president – though he said he will continue in the role until an ‘extraordinary congress’ can be called to vote in a successor

Sepp Blatter stands down as FIFA president

‘Beyond the people, structural reforms must be undertaken,’ said French Sports State Secretary Thierry Braillard.

New Zealand Football (NZF) Chief Executive Andy Martin said soccer must now rebuild its tattered reputation.

‘This has lifted a cloud and taken away a lot of the concerns of stakeholders and their association with the sport,’ he told Reuters.

‘We now want a strong collaborative leader who can bring the football world together and can bring out the change that the game has been crying out for.’

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which has been a staunch ally of Blatter, said it was monitoring the situation and would discuss internally the ‘best way forward for both FIFA and world football’.

AFC member the Philippines Football Federation said it was surprised by Blatter’s decision, but noted this ‘offers a big opportunity to continue and intensify the reforms that have been started. Indeed, deliberate focus on more governance reform and transparency is now called for.’

FIFA was stunned last week by the announcement of a U.S. investigation into alleged widespread financial wrongdoing stretching back more than two decades.

Among the potential candidates to lead FIFA, European football federation chief Michel Platini, a French former international player, said Blatter had made ‘a difficult decision, a brave decision, and the right decision’.

Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, who withdrew from last week’s presidential election after winning 73 votes to Blatter’s 133 in the first round, stopped short of confirming he would run again.

Asked if there should be a fresh start at FIFA, he told Britain’s Channel 4 News: ‘I’m willing to help.’

Several other candidates may emerge ahead of the election for a new president, including Domenico Scala, independent chairman of the audit and compliance committee of FIFA.

Former Brazil international Zico, 62, did not rule out a bid, and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro suggested Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona could be the next FIFA chief.

Others in the frame to become only FIFA’s ninth chief include Jerome Champagne, a former French diplomat and FIFA deputy secretary general, and German Wolfgang Niersbach, a former sports journalist and FIFA media chief.
SO WHO WILL REPLACE HIM? LIKELY CANDIDATES TO SUCCEED BLATTER

Michael Platini

Current head of Uefa, he called on Sepp Blatter to stand down following the arrest of 14 prominent FIFA officials last week. He has the experience and profile necessary for the role, but also voted for Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup.

Given the Swiss investigation into the bidding process, and the need for a ‘clean slate’ at FIFA, this could hurt his chances. He is also a good friend of Sepp Blatter.

Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein

The Jordanian crown prince qas the sole candidate against Blatter during last week’s presidential elections, and deprived him of his usual two-thirds majority of votes, forcing a second round of voting.

He stood down after it became apparent that he could not garner enough votes to unseat Blatter, but has refused to rule out running again.

Jerome Champagne

A former French diplomat, he announced his intention to run against Blatter in the latest round of elections, but failed to get the initial backing to make a formal bid.

He spent 11 years at FIFA, from 1999 to 2010, and has previously stated that the greatest challenge in football are the ‘imbalances’ which stop everyone from competing.

Michael van Praag

Another early contender to stand against Blatter, the Dutchman (Pictured left with Louis Van Gaal) also failed to secure the necessary votes, but may consider running again.

However, at 67 years old he may not be the ‘fresh face’ that FIFA are hoping for.

David Gill

The former Manchester United chief executive (pictured right with Sepp Blatter) was due to take his place on FIFA’s executive after this year’s election, but stood down after Blatter won, saying he feared damaging his reputation.

Despite having little inside knowledge of the workings of FIFA, that stance could give him an edge when convincing voters he is the man to end corruption in the organisation.

And the rest…

Luis Figo

The Portuguese national and former Barcelona player had been due to run against Blatter in this year’s election, but with drew his candidacy in protest at the way the ballot was being run, and failed to gather the necessary support.

Reacting to tonight’s resignation, he said: ‘A good day for FIFA and for football. Change is finally coming. I said on Friday that the day would come sooner or later. Here it is!’

David Ginola

Another former candidate, he resigned after failing to gain necessary support, and when it was uncovered that his candidacy was backed by a well known bookmaker.

Despite that, he is the first to announce that he will run again, telling LBC Radio tonight: ‘Of course I will run again.’

IMAGES:
Rogues’ gallery: Interpol has put six men linked to FIFA on its most wanted list, issuing international arrest warrants for two former FIFA officials and four executives on charges including racketeering and corruption
On the most wanted list: Disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner parties with supporters after his release on bail. He handed himself into authorities after he was named in an FBI indictment last week on charges of soliciting bribes
Accused: Former executive committee member Nicolas Leoz of Paraguay (above) has also been placed on Interpol’s most wanted list
Members of Interpol are seen at the headquarters of Argentine sports broadcaster Torneos y Competencias during a raid in Buenos Aires last week. Interpol are searching for Argentine sports marketing entrepreneurs Alejandro Burzaco, Hugo Jinkis and his son Mariano Jinkis, who were among the 14 football officials and businessmen indicted last week in the US investigation into massive graft at world football’s governing body
‘If I was the Qatari organisers, I wouldn’t sleep very well tonight’: English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke (pictured, left, with UEFA President Michel Platini) has called for a re-run of the votes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosting rights amid the corruption scandal engulfing the sports world governing body

For more on this story and video go to: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3108878/Interpol-issues-arrest-warrants-two-former-FIFA-officials-including-ex-vice-president-Jack-Warner-corruption-probe-casts-doubt-Russia-Qatar-World-Cups.html#ixzz3c1iy5xhr

Related story:

Jack Warner releases cheques amid claims he helped fund election campaign

From CARIBBEAN360 JUNE 3, 2015

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Wednesday June 3, 2015 – Embattled politician Jack Warner yesterday began releasing copies of cheques paid by one of his companies to an advertising agency that handled the People’s Partnership’s 2010 election campaign.

Five cheques totalling just over TT$1.7 million (US$267,948.67) were paid by Warner’s Jamad Limited to Ross Advertising Limited in the weeks leading up to the May 24 poll.

The first one, dated April 14, was for TT$1 million (US$157,616.99), while the other April 21 cheques were written for TT$195,220.55 (US$30,773.93), TT$155,250 (US$24,470.14), TT$97,750 (US$15,407.43) and TT$270,995.20 (US$42,714.48).

Warner, leader of the Independent Liberal Party (ILP), published the copies of the cheques on social media and in his Sunshine newspaper, with promises of more to come.

After being released from prison where he spent last Wednesday night after appearing in court in connection with the United States’ efforts to extradite him on FIFA corruption charges, Warner accused Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of having a hand in him being indicted and promised to expose all he had on her.

He had insisted that he helped fund the 2010 election campaign of the People’s Partnership – a coalition of four political parties, including the United National Congress (UNC) of which he was part.

However, Persad-Bissessar has insisted that she received no funding from Warner for her own campaign or that of the UNC.

When questioned again by the Trinidad Express yesterday, she stuck to her position.

“I, Kamla, received no money from Jack Warner. That is the God’s truth. I cannot speak to any contractual arrangement the gentleman would have had with Ross Advertising or any other advertising agency,” Persad-Bissessar told the newspaper, adding that Warner funded his own campaign as a candidate for Chaguanas West in the 2010 election.

The Trinidad Express reported that the advertising agency’s owner, Ernie Ross, declined comment.

However, the newspaper said Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives Roodal Moonilal intended to forward copies of the cheques to US Attorney General Loretta Lynch who last Wednesday announced the indictment in which Warner and 13 others were charged with racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering.

“I am sure she’ll not only be interested in where the cheque went to but where the source of funds came from and I am asking Mr. Warner to make more evidence available to Loretta Lynch who has a big interest in those matters,” he said.

“Mr Warner’s problem is not Kamla, its Loretta. I think the sooner he wakes up to that reality the better for him,” Moonilal added.

IMAGES: JACK WARNER POSTED THIS ON HIS FACEBOOK PAGE.

For more on this story go to: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/jack-warner-releases-cheques-amid-claims-he-helped-fund-election-campaign#ixzz3c1lc3i3T