Geneva, March 9 (IANS) The Attorney General of Switzerland announced on Wednesday that it has raided and searched the offices of the French Football Federation in Paris with the consent of the latter and in collaboration with the French judicial authorities in connection with the criminal proceedings against former FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
The authorities have confiscated documents related to the payment of $1.8 million by Blatter to former FIFA vice president Michel Platini, both suspended from practicing any football-related activities against the backdrop of corruption allegations, reports Efe.
FIFA appeal committee has banned Blatter and Platini for six years. Both have contested to protest their innocence.
The Paris raid and search was confirmed in the following statement from the Office of the Swiss Attorney-General:
“The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland required the mutual legal assistance of the French judicial authorities in connection with the criminal proceedings against Mr Joseph Blatter.”
“Pursuant to that request for mutual legal assistance of January 14, 2016 and in close coordination with the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland, the French Financial Prosecution Office proceeded yesterday to a search of the offices of the French Football Federation in Paris with the latter’s consent. The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) was present during the search.”
“Documents were seized in connection with the suspected payment of CHF 2 million (US $1.9 million) that is inter alia the subject of the proceedings. The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland thanks the French judicial authorities for their valuable support in this matter.”