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International soccer officials corrupted their global game by taking millions of dollars in bribes for sponsorship and event hosting, U.S. officials said Wednesday morning.
The U.S. Justice Department announced the charges against the FIFA executives—which include alleged racketeering, money laundering and wire fraud offenses—and unsealed a 47-count indictment as well as several previously secret guilty pleas. U.S. authorities said nine soccer officials and five sports media and promotions executives faced corruption charges involving more than $150 million in bribes.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch and FBI Director James Comey held a press conference Wednesday to discuss the charges.