Russia isn't concerned by the explosive scenes that saw several top FIFA officials arrested and i...

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Gianluca Nesci

Supervising Editor

<p>Russia isn't concerned by the explosive scenes that saw several top FIFA officials arrested and indicted on corruption charges Wednesday in Zurich. Nor do they seem overly perturbed by the fact that Swiss federal prosecutors have opened separate criminal proceedings related to the awarding of the 2018 World Cup.</p><p>Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, a FIFA executive committee member who played a leading role in Russia's bid for the 2018 tournament, <a href="https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/russia-says-nothing-hide-fifa-bid-probe-123602847--sow.html">told The Associated Press</a> that the country has nothing to hide in relation to the investigation.</p><p>''We're prepared to show everything,'' Mutko said. ''We've always acted within the law. We've got nothing to hide."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Mutko added that the investigation will not impede the country's preparations for the 2018 spectacle.</p><p>''How can it be obstructed? ... We have a contract with FIFA and we're getting ready to hold the draw. We operated within the regulations that existed at that time.''</p><p>Alexei Sorokin, who heads the organizing committee for the tournament, echoed those sentiments.</p><p>''We have stated that many times during the investigation by FIFA and before that investigation,'' Sorokin said by telephone from Zurich. ''Preparations to host the World Cup are continuing and they are going according to plan.''</p>

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FIFA and corruption have long been intertwined. On May 27, the United States Department of Justic...

<p>FIFA and corruption have long been intertwined. On May 27, the United States Department of Justice, in tandem with Swiss authorities, attempted to do something about it.</p><p>Several FIFA officials, gathering at the lavish Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich ahead of the governing body's presidential election Friday, were arrested in the early hours of the morning on charges put forth following the combined efforts of the U.S. Justice Department, FBI and IRS.</p><p>The charges, delivered to 14 officials in total, include corruption and racketeering, and were followed by a later revelation from the Swiss justice department that separate criminal cases have been opened in relation to the bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The fallout and reaction, as expected, has been both swift and enormous.</p><h3>Need to know</h3><ul><li>FIFA president <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/773918" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/773918">Sepp Blatter announced he is resigning</a> from his post, only days after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/771975" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/771975">being re-elected</a> for his fifth consecutive term.</li></ul><ul><li>On June 1, The New York Times <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/773623" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/773623">reported</a> Blatter's top lieutenant, Jerome Valcke, "made $10 million in bank transactions that are central elements of the bribery scandal engulfing international soccer." The report links Blatter closer to the money trail than ever before. FIFA <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/773798" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/773798">denied the claims</a>. </li></ul><ul><li>Who, exactly, are the 14 individuals facing corruption, conspiracy and racketeering charges in the United States? <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/771059" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/771059">Find out here</a>.</li></ul><ul><li>In reaction to the arrests, FIFA said there<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/770937" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/770937"> will not be a re-vote</a> over the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, respectively.</li></ul><ul><li>Of the seven FIFA officials arrested in Zurich, the Swiss justice ministry says <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/771044" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/771044">six are opposing extradition to the United States</a>.</li></ul><ul><li>Disgraced former CONCACAF president Jack Warner, who resigned in 2011 amidst a flurry of bribery allegations, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/771193" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/771193">surrendered to police in Trinidad and Tobago</a> hours after a warrant was issued for his arrest.</li></ul><ul><li>
<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/771194" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/771194">Here are some of the best quotes</a> from the FBI press conference, along with statements from some of FIFA's largest corporate sponsors.</li></ul><ul><li>Russian officials, asked about their concern over Swiss federal prosecutors opening separate criminal proceedings related to the awarding of the 2018 World Cup, seem unperturbed, saying that the country has <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/770966" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/770966">"nothing to hide."</a>
</li></ul><ul><li>Russian president Vladimir Putin then doubled-down, calling the criminal charges unlawful and putting forth his opinion that the United States is attempting to replace Russia as hosts of the 2018 World Cup. "This is another blatant attempt to extend (U.S.) jurisdiction to other states," <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/771510" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/771510">he said</a>.</li></ul><ul><li>Argentine icon Diego Maradona gave his opinion on the matter, offering <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/771144" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/771144">a biting one-word evaluation of Blatter</a>. </li></ul><h3>Further Reading/Viewing</h3><ul><li>In light of the explosive events and the FBI press conference that followed, Grant Wahl examines where this sprawling investigation goes from here. [<a href="http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2015/05/27/fifa-corruption-arrests-fbi-investigation-sepp-blatter">Sports Illustrated</a>]</li></ul><ul><li>Concurrently, Gabriele Marcotti asks the only question that really matters in this attempted takedown of football's diseased, corrupted governing body: Will this lead to real, meaningful change? [<a href="http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/4/blog/post/2468548/world-cup-2018-and-2022-criminal-investigations-fifa">ESPN FC</a>]</li></ul><ul><li>The FBI's full, 166-page indictment, <a href="http://images.businessweek.com/bloomberg/pdfs/FIFAindictment.pdf">can be read here</a>.</li></ul><ul><li>Speaking of the FBI, many have questioned how the American institution has the jurisdiction to arrest officials from an international organization, in Switzerland. Philip Bump explains. [<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/05/27/how-the-us-can-arrest-fifa-officials-in-switzerland-explained/?postshare=4371432750830602">Washington Post</a>]</li></ul><ul><li>Disgraced former FIFA vice-president and president of CONCACAF, Jack Warner, was one of the 14 people indicted on corruption charges Wednesday. As has always been his stance, he vehemently denied any wrongdoing in light of the latest allegations, saying, pointedly, "I sleep very soundly in the night." [<a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/d3a7668dc8194faeaabc9b67dfee331f/trinidads-warner-characteristically-defiant-amid-fifa-raids">The Associated Press</a>]</li></ul><ul><li>In the lightest moment of the FBI's hefty, heavy press conference on Wednesday, IRS chief of criminal investigations Richard Weber delivered a cringe-worthy joke that received much scorn – and rightfully so. "This really is the World Cup of fraud and today we are issuing FIFA a red card," he said. Yikes. [<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2015/5/27/8669101/FIFA-corruption-press-conference-irs-world-cup-of-fraud">SB Nation</a>]</li></ul><h3>Top Tweets</h3><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Have a nice day": parting words from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fifa?src=hash">#Fifa</a> PR at end of conference during which Blatter resigned. Football certainly having a nice day now.</p>— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) <a href="https://twitter.com/henrywinter/status/605781318572466177">June 2, 2015</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sepp Blatter leaves FIFA HQ. Slowly, with each step, his limp gets less pronounced. Soon, he walks normally and blends into the crowd.</p>— SimonNRicketts (@SimonNRicketts) <a href="https://twitter.com/SimonNRicketts/status/605780247888265216">June 2, 2015</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A great day for soccer. Loretta Lynch &amp; the U.S. Department of Justice are finally cleaning up the world's game.</p>— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) <a href="https://twitter.com/GrantWahl/status/603576445051531264">May 27, 2015</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">FIFA: The only organization that makes the IOC say: "Hey, at least we're not THOSE guys '</p>— trey wingo (@wingoz) <a href="https://twitter.com/wingoz/status/603519644687798272">May 27, 2015</a>
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Russia has 'nothing to hide' over 2018 World Cup bid

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