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Swiss prosecutor requests search of FIFA offices over president Blatter's proceedings

Xinhua, March 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Swiss prosecutor asked for the legal assistance of the French judicial authorities in connection with the criminal proceedings against former FIFA president Joseph Blatter, according to a statement Wednesday released by the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland.

In close coordination with the Swiss prosecutor, the French Financial Prosecution Office searched the offices of the French Football Federation in Paris on Tuesday.

Documents were seized in connection with the suspected payment of 2.0 million Swiss francs (2.0 million U.S. dollars) that is central to the subject of the proceedings.

The proceedings against Blatter primarily relate to a payment of 2.0 million Swiss francs transferred in February 2011 from FIFA to UEFA president Michel Platini. Blatter, in his position as FIFA president, authorized the payment to Platini which had no legal basis in the written agreement signed between both officials on Aug. 25 1999.

FIFA banned Blatter for six years from all football related activities and fined him 50,000 Swiss francs.

Swiss criminal proceedings against Blatter began on Sept. 24 2015 on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation. Endit