U.S. Department of Justice alleges World Cup Soccer's FIFA corruption over past 24 years

U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch reveals all of the details and evidence used against the nine former and current FIFA executives and five corporate executives indicted on corruption charges.

Story by ESPN

U.S. prosecutors say they have uncovered a dozen different schemes while investigating corruption at FIFA, the world football body -- and that some of those schemes involved the awarding of the 2010 World Cup to South Africa.

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said at a news conference that bribery and corruption have been marring the sport for at least 24 years as FIFA officials solicited bribes from sports marketing firms and others surrounding its marquee events.

Lynch spoke on Wednesday in New York as U.S. federal charges were unveiled against 14 people, including nine former or current FIFA officials, in a sweeping investigation. She said the extradition process was already underway but stressed that there are no allegations that football games or tournaments were influenced by corruption.

The Swiss justice ministry says U.S. authorities now have 40 days to submit a formal extradition request to Switzerland for six of seven FIFA officials arrested in a FIFA corruption probe, adding that six of those seven plan to fight extradition.

U.S. officials said those arrested include FIFA vice presidents Jeffrey Webb from the Cayman Islands and Eugenio Figueredo of Uruguay; as well as Eduardo Li of Costa Rica, Julio Rocha of Nicaragua, Costas Takkas of Britain, Rafael Esquivel of Venezuela and Jose Maria Marin of Brazil.

Swiss officials did not name the person who agreed to purse simplified extradition. That person could be handed over to U.S. authorities immediately.

Read more: http://www.espnfc.com/world-cup-soccer/story/2468775/fifa-corrupt-over-24-years-says-us-department-of-justice