Fresh arrests and charges are likely as a result of the FBI investigations into the FIFA corruption scandal, US attorney general Loretta Lynch has announced.
Lynch, speaking in Zurich, said new charges and arrests against “individuals and entities” were anticipated.
Meanwhile, the Swiss attorney general Michael Lauber confirmed that an investigation is taking place into FIFA’s sale of World Cup television rights to disgraced former official Jack Warner for a fraction of their true worth.
Lauber also revealed that assets including flats in the Swiss Alps and western Switzerland had been seized by his investigators, on suspicion of being used for money-laundering purposes, and that 121 different bank accounts have been brought to the attention of the investigating task force.
In May, the US justice department announced indictments against 18 people on football-related corruption charges – four have pleaded guilty to charges.
Lynch told a news conference: “Separate and apart from the pending indictment our investigation has expanded since May. The scope of our investigation is not limited and is following the evidence where it leads.
“We do anticipate pursuing additional changes against individuals and entities.”
Asked if Blatter was under investigation or if might interfere with his travel plans – the FIFA president did not travel to the women’s World Cup in Canada in June following the arrests in May – Lynch added: “I’m not going to comment on individuals and I am not able to give you information about Mr Blatter’s travel plans.”