The International Football Federation (FIFA) commented on the information about the initiation of a criminal case against the current President Gianni Infantino. He is suspected of illegal actions, which he allegedly committed during the investigation of a corruption scandal within the organization.

“FIFA recognizes the decision of the Swiss Federal State Attorney General to initiate an investigation into the meetings between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber. FIFA, including the president, remains at the disposal of the Swiss authorities and, as always, will fully cooperate with this investigation, ”reads a statement published on the federation's official website.

Infantino himself assured that he was always ready to help the investigation and cooperate with the authorities. He recalled that thanks to the active participation of the football federation, some of the perpetrators of the corruption scandal have already been punished.

“People remember very well what situation FIFA was in as an agency in 2015 and how judicial intervention was needed to restore its reputation. From the very first day as president, my goal was and is to cooperate with the authorities in investigating past violations within the organization, ”commented Infantino's accusations.

On July 30, a special prosecutor, Stefan Keller, who was appointed to verify the charges against the functionary, announced the initiation of a criminal case. Keller believes that Infantino secretly communicated with Switzerland's attorney general Michael Lauber during the investigation into the FIFA corruption scandal. We are talking about three meetings, information about which was not transferred to the relevant authorities.

Another person involved in the case was the prosecutor of the Upper Valais region, Rinaldo Arnold. Like Infantino, he is suspected of abuse of office, disclosing official secrets, aiding and abetting intruders.

It's worth noting that Lauber announced his intention to step down last week. In the spring, he was convicted of numerous violations, including those committed by him during the investigation of a corruption case in FIFA. At the same time, both he and the President of FIFA deny their guilt.

“Holding meetings with the Attorney General of Switzerland is absolutely permissible and legal. It is not a violation of any kind. On the contrary, it is the responsibility of the FIFA President. There were a number of issues, for the clarification of which it was quite permissible to invite the General Prosecutor's Office of Switzerland to contribute, in the hope that those who committed illegal acts and caused damage to FIFA would be held accountable, ”said Infantino.

Meanwhile, the previous president of the football federation, Joseph Blatter, who left office in 2015 in connection with a corruption scandal, has called on the relevant FIFA authorities to launch their own investigation.

"For me, the situation is obvious, the FIFA Ethics Committee needs to open a case against Infantino, and therefore he should be removed," - quoted Blatter as Reuters.

Suspicions about secret meetings between representatives of the Swiss prosecutor's office and the FIFA leadership arose two years ago. Arnold allegedly could provide Infantino with information from the prosecutor's office, organize meetings with Lauber, and also warn in advance about planned searches in the organization's office. They were reported to be longtime acquaintances.

Recall that in 2015, the Swiss prosecutor's office announced the start of an investigation against the organization's officials suspected of corruption, money laundering and other fraud. At the same time, a criminal case was opened against Blatter, who was subsequently removed from his post by the ethics committee. Arrests followed by a number of heads of national football organizations.