After concluding there is enough evidence to notch a win in court, a Swiss special prosecutor has kicked off a criminal case against FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The case against the head of world soccer’s governing body was opened Thursday by special prosecutor Stefan Keller following his investigations into a “secret” meeting Infantino had with ex-Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber, who resigned last week.
Lauber and Infantino had met in June to discuss a sprawling investigation into soccer corruption. After looking into the meeting, during which Lauber took no notes, Keller uncovered “elements that make up reprehensible behavior,” according to a statement from the Swiss authority overseeing the Office of the Attorney General.
“This concerns abuse of public office, breach of official secrecy, assisting offenders and incitement to these acts,” the watchdog overseeing the OAG said in a statement.
In addition to the criminal case against Infantino, Keller has launched proceedings against Valais prosecutor Rinaldo Arnold and is also seeking authorization to open a legal case against Lauber.
Last month, Infantino called the investigation into his meeting with Lauber “quite absurd.” “To meet with the head prosecutor or attorney general of Switzerland is perfectly legitimate and it’s perfectly legal,” the FIFA president said on June 25.
FIFA is based in the Swiss city of Zurich.
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