FIFA has launched a formal investigation into former President Sepp Blatter "over allegations of violating the governing body’s rules regarding bribery and corruption as well as offering and accepting gifts," according to Jack de Menezes of the London INDEPENDENT. FIFA also confirmed that former general secretaries, Jerome Valcke and Markus Kattner, are "also being investigated for the same alleged offences." Kattner faces a further charge "related to a breach of confidentiality" (INDEPENDENT, 9/9). The PA reported the committee’s investigatory chamber "will investigate possible violations" of FIFA’s rule book that relate to bribery, conflicts of interest and general conduct, while Kattner faces a further charge "related to a breach of confidentiality." The case is understood to be based on the "huge salaries and bonuses the three men allegedly paid themselves" at FIFA, and the alleged leaking of information about new FIFA President Gianni Infantino to the media. A statement on the governing body’s website on Friday confirmed that Djimbaraye Bourngar, the deputy chairman of the investigatory chamber of the ethics committee, "had begun formal proceedings against the trio" (PA, 9/9). REUTERS' Brian Homewood reported in a separate decision, former FIFA VP Jeffrey Webb was "given a life ban" from any football-related activity and fined 1M Swiss francs ($1.02M). Blatter, Valcke and Kattner are also suspected of having breached rules on general conduct, loyalty, conflicts of interest and "offering and accepting gifts and other benefits." Valcke's lawyer declined comment while Blatter and Kattner "could not immediately be reached although they have previously denied wrongdoing." Blatter has said that his earnings "were in line with top officials from professional sports leagues around the world" (REUTERS, 9/9).
