Korrupte FIFA-Funktionäre – Von Schmiergeldern, TV-Rechten und Katar | Fussball-WM 2022 | DOK | SRF

Hans-Joachim Eckert, later member of the FIFA Ethics Committee. His objective is to prevent corruption in FIFA. He was President of the FIFA Judicial Chamber for five years. This is undoubtedly related to my professional career in the judiciary: 30 years in the field of combating economic crime and organized crime. Eckert says that based on the evidence at the time, it would have been appropriate to exclude Leoz and Teixeira. If we read it like this in retrospect, FIFA should have reacted. Whether it was Mr Blatter, the legal department or the ethics committee, it would have been up to FIFA to respond, and it did not.

Zurich, November 2010, a week before the World Cup elections. Michel Platini, then president of the powerful UEFA football association, also sits on FIFA's Executive Committee. Nine years after the Qatar elections, he candidly reported on television in French-speaking Switzerland what happened then. Well, everyone. This famous lunch on November 23, 2010 at the Elysée Palace with President Sarkozy. There was the Crown Prince of Qatar, who has now become Emir. Were you a little surprised? They arrive and... Yes, because I asked to see President Sarkozy to tell him who I would vote for. They told me, "We're organizing a lunch." I agreed.

When I arrived, the Emir of Qatar was also sitting at the table. But they never asked me to vote for Qatar, they didn't ask me to do anything. Only when I came out did I call Blatter and say: "I think I've reached a place..." Everything was perfect until a week before the decision. But then Michel Platini called me and told me about lunch with the president. That was Sarkozy back then. The president reportedly asked if he could use his voters to help bring the World Cup to Qatar. I asked him if he said he had to vote for her.

Platini said: "No." But when the president asks you to do something...he says we definitely need to be careful. He has his people voting: him and three others, that is, four votes in total. Was this some kind of trap? - Don't know. Perhaps President Sarkozy wanted to show that France supports Qatar in the elections for the World Cup. But he never asked me to vote for Qatar. A subtle form of pressure: you come to lunch and find him there. No, I have known Qataris for 30 years. That's how it works. They presented their project to FIFA a month before.

I don't need President Sarkozy to meet you with me. Then we realize: there is political influence at the highest level. Five countries are bidding for the

2022

World Cup: Qatar, the United States, South Korea, Australia and Japan. The favorite is the United States. I hope you feel, as I do, that the United States would be an excellent host. On the eve of the vote, I spoke by phone with President Obama. He asked me how he was doing and I told him that he didn't have good news. I wouldn't know how it would turn out, nothing would be certain, but it wouldn't turn out very well.

Zurich, December 2, 2010. Election day for the World Cup. The Executive Committee meets behind closed doors in the main FIFA building, in the so-called Board Room, three floors underground. Blatter knows it: Platini and his three allies will vote for Qatar. And: Teixeira and Leoz received bribes from the ISL. *Triumphant music* The winner to host the

2022

FIFA World Cup... ...is Qatar. *Greetings* (Beni Thurnheer) Qatar, this is a big surprise. This is wonderful. Apparently, FIFA has the feeling that the oil wells will still be gushing even in twelve years' time. I almost can't believe it: little Qatar has put the big ones, the United States and Australia, in their place.

We don't leave you hanging. They will be proud of us and the Middle East, I promise. *Applause* Was it a mistake? All the problems for you, Blatter and many others started with the Qatar election. No. Not at all. You'll see, it will be the most beautiful World Cup. Then we discovered that there was political interference in the Qatari nomination. But there was more. We see in the American archives that the United States began investigating shortly after the Qatar elections. And in the files we find two well-known names: Teixeira and Leoz, the two ISL bribes. The US investigation also deals with bribery.

The American justice system, for some reason, naturally suspects that they would have liked to win the World Cup... In any case, the Americans did what they do well: they also followed the money trail. Despite the shadow of corruption: Blatter's presidential career is not suffering any damage for the moment. Number of votes for Josef S. Blatter: 139. He is re-elected three times. *Applause* We are all fine. Yes do it! Do it! Do it! It is for the unity of football. It's for football. OK. Thank you. Welcome, Mr. Blatter. - Make the world a better place. I just say: "Boa noite!" - Good night.

Mr. Teixeira, this is the FIFA World Cup. The trophy in Brazilian hands. Thank you so much. Now the king of the football world has returned to his throne. 186. President Josef Blatter. The FIFA World Cup is in South Africa. A dream come true. Zurich, May 2015. Preparations for the 65th FIFA Congress. Sepp Blatter's fourth re-election is approaching. The more than 200 officials stay in the best hotels in Zurich. We are now five years after the Qatar elections, five years after the defeat of the United States. FIFA's highest officials enjoy the service at the luxury Baur au Lac hotel. Then the news arrives: (commentator) Arrestations to FIFA.

Plusieurs responsible questioned this morning by the Swiss police instantly revealed the "New York Times". First, our main news today: the highest body in the world of football is in crisis again. We hope to hear from the FBI later. We are determined to end these practices, root out corruption and bring wrongdoers to justice. (Commentator) The cantonal police officers are dressed in civilian clothes because many journalists also stay in the hotel. They take photographs and then report on the extremely discreet procedure. I heard it on the radio. I thought it was a bad movie, it wasn't true, it couldn't be true.

Police arrest ten senior FIFA officials. *Incomprehensible radio message* Leoz and Teixeira are not in the Baur au Lac. They didn't even come. Now his arrest is announced internationally. They should have guaranteed that football was honest and clean. Instead, they corrupted football, pursued their own interests and became rich. They did it again and again, year after year, tournament after tournament. Ladies and gentlemen, today... The President of FIFA is not dancing in his office today. He is, well... calm and follows the action. FIFA welcomes this process and cooperates fully with the Federal Prosecutor's Office and also with the Federal Office of Justice.

Appearance of Michael Lauber, Swiss federal prosecutor, alongside US Attorney General Loretta Lynch. No one yet suspects that this will soon become a Swiss judicial matter. Public interest in Swiss research is enormous. Therefore, we have decided to inform you about the status of our investigation. I can confirm that the Federal Prosecutor's Office, together with Justice Minister Lynch, is continually reviewing the scope of the criminal investigation. It is my great honor to give the floor to my American counterpart, Attorney General Loretta Lynch. Thanks, Michael. The problem of corruption in football is global. With our efforts we want to find a global answer.

This man will change everything: the Argentine Alejandro Burzaco. He travels to Zurich without suspecting anything and he too is on the US wanted list. Maria Roselli researched his story. On the day of the high-profile arrests in Baur au Lac, Alejandro Burzaco arrived late for breakfast. So when they arrested the others, he wasn't there. He immediately took the opportunity and fled to Italy (he is also an Italian citizen). He remains in Italy for two days without knowing exactly how to behave. He then talks to his lawyer and decides to confront the American justice system. American investigators pick him up and take him directly to New York.

There he begins to cooperate with the American justice system and tells everything he knows. He turns his BlackBerry over to the American justice system. It contains thousands of emails and correspondence with many football officials. A blessing for the American authorities. This way they will be able to continue their investigation. In fact, FIFA officials traveled to Zurich to elect the president. Despite Baur au Lac: the 79-year-old remains firm in his candidacy. In military terms, it was an attack on FIFA, so the commander must remain on board. He is not allowed to escape. This is my military upbringing: as a leader, I stay here.

But Blatter finds himself under pressure from an unexpected source: his confidant and friend Michel Platini launches the attack together with UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino. We, like all of you, have been following what has happened in recent days. And to be honest: I, who love FIFA, I, a great admirer of the history of FIFA, I, who have followed this for years, I am outraged, disgusted, I am fed up with this. Enough is enough. Enough is enough. Donc, c'est trop. Trop, c'est trop. Platini came to my house and told me: "Don't run." I replied, "What do you mean?" "I am the president and the elections are on the agenda." "I will hold the convention and run for re-election." I replied: "It's a shame, it would be good for your image if you understood the situation and left us." I can guarantee you that in tomorrow's elections the majority of European associations will vote for Prince Ali.

Platini still has no idea that his general secretary, Gianni Infantino, will occupy the FIFA presidential chair nine months later. Over the next few months, a bitter power struggle ensues between the three alphas. But first, on May 29, 2015, two days after the arrests in Baur au Lac: Joseph Blatter on his way to re-election. As if nothing had happened. Bottom line: I want to stay with you and continue working with you. We must not forget: this was an attack on FIFA, that hurts, that hurts. The president of FIFA is here. Je vous prie de bien vouloir acclamer très fort pour este election. *Applause* But the media pressure is enormous.

Zurich, June 2, 2015, four days after the re-election. My mandate does not have the support of the entire football world. That is why I make it available on the occasion of an extraordinary electoral congress. Thank you for your time. I responded to pressure, including from the American judiciary. He planned to declare FIFA a mafia company, possibly with the secondary idea of ​​getting a lot of money. His last FIFA press conference ended in scandal. ...2026. - Excuse me. Sorry, this is... We're starting a press conference. Safety, let's go! Come on! Here we go, Sepp! Ladies and gentlemen. We have to clean up here first.

This has nothing to do with football. I'll be right back. After Baur au Lac and two months after Blatter's departure: (Katja Stauber) Michel Platini throws himself into the ring and wants to take over the leadership of FIFA. The current head of UEFA wants to become Sepp Blatter's successor. Platini had a very good start. He already has the support of four continental associations: Europe, South and North America and the Caribbean. Therefore, Platini is practically chosen as a favorite. Two months later: journalists are waiting for news from the Executive Committee. A routine press conference. (Rainer Maria Salzgeber) FIFA had planned a press conference today at 2:00 p.m.

It was first postponed for an hour before being permanently canceled shortly before 3pm. In retrospect, it quickly became clear why. The investigation against the world football association FIFA for corruption is expanded. The Federal Prosecutor's Office, with the support of the Federal Criminal Police, carried out a house search today at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich. Furthermore, Mr. Josef Blatter as the accused and Mr. Michel Platini as the person who provided the information were questioned. We are taken to an office during a meeting of the FIFA Executive Committee. 200 journalists wait downstairs. Why this theater? For two people living in Switzerland?

It was about hurting us. They took Platini and me after the meeting. Then Michel asked me: “Tu sais pourquoi?” I replied: "Pas du tout." Then they separated us. They showed me Platini's letter and... The letter: In 2011, Platini subsequently demanded 2 million Swiss francs for advice he had given her more than eight years ago. Both will fall on this card. Platini and I had a contract, a verbal contract. Back then he was making a million a year, that's what he told me. According to Platini, this is how they negotiated: How much do you want? - 1 million of what? - rubles, French francs, dollars...

Okay, 1 million francs a year. When I was elected, I hired him as my technical associate. But we didn't have a million to pay him. Do you have any problems paying? - Yes, I can't pay a million. The Secretary General earns 300,000, I can't pay you three times as much. We will give you a contract for 300,000 and we will pay you the rest later. We forgot about the contract, I didn't think about it anymore. And one day... ...he wrote a letter to FIFA and said that he wanted the rest of the salary from him. In the end we said, "Okay, we'll pay you 2 million." FIFA Ethics Committee. (Maria Roselli) Ethics Commission.

The FIFA Ethics Committee is an internal control body. His workis to check whether these officials comply with the code of ethics, that is, whether there is corruption or not. Hans-Joachim Eckert was then responsible for this, as chairman of the ethics commission. He gave a verdict unique in the history of FIFA. President Blatter has been suspended for 90 days. * Speaks Russian. * FIFA president Blatter must leave his chair. FIFA suspends president Sepp Blatter and vice president Michel Platini. At that time I did not decide only for the ethics committee of the decision-making body. Together with three other evaluators I examined whether we should open the procedure or not.

And believe me: it is not easy to officially open a process against the two presidents of UEFA and FIFA, with the simultaneous measure of temporarily suspending them. The provisional ban becomes permanent two months later. I'm sorry for football, but I'm also sorry for myself, for how I'm treated in this world of humanity. Maybe it's good to know not to rush into something like this, but to think about it. You can't simply ban the most powerful footballer in the world. You don't want to make a mistake. Can you understand that these methods seem a bit mafia-like? 1 million per year.

Yeah? No? A little more? I don't believe it. I think it's a gentlemen's agreement. Tomorrow journalists will write: "Blatter is finished." Blatter will not be finished while he is alive. You use this patch. He had a possibly malignant melanoma removed. You are 79 years old. You should also be able to let it go. I can leave FIFA, but not me, I am a Swiss citizen. I want to fight for my rights and for justice. After the sanction: out of the dream of being a candidate for the FIFA presidency. I tell the truth, the whole truth, only the truth.

I swear. It was very difficult. I did not understand. I didn't understand how this could have happened. They called me a forger, corrupt, money launderer. Everywhere, in all media. I worked for FIFA for 20 years and organized the World Cup on a voluntary basis. It is FIFA that transfers money to me and it is FIFA itself that suspends me for transferring money to me. I'm trying to understand, but I'm having a hard time. And is it still like this? - Yes, that is still the case. The two continue to fight for their honor to this day. Did Blatter and Platini have to leave for him to come to power?

Gianni Infantino, Platini's UEFA general secretary. This question is still debated today. But our data comparison shows that things are now happening in rapid succession. Arrests in Baur-au-Lac, resignation of Blatter, candidacy of Platini, accusation of 2 million euros, provisional and finally definitive ban of Blatter and Platini. And just 20 days after the provisional ban, the little-known Gianni Infantino is already appearing. FIFA Electoral Congress, February 26, 2016 in Zurich. I want to speak to you today from the bottom of my heart. Five months ago I would never have thought that he would be before you today and that he would be a candidate for the presidency of FIFA.

But in recent months a lot has happened. FIFA is in crisis, in a difficult situation. His reputation is tarnished, there is talk of corruption, courts, lawyers, whatever. Infantino was a sort of all-time runner-up alongside Platini in UEFA. From time to time he was in the spotlight, for example at the team draws for the European Championship. Then he disappeared again. But when all these complications and intrigues arose at FIFA in 2015, he jumped at the opportunity. And when the situation is difficult, dear friends, there are two options: either you hide or you surrender. For me hiding was never an option, I always wanted to act and do the right thing. (Man) The total number of valuable votes collected by Gianni: 115. * Greetings, applause * his entourage and his wife celebrate.

He is the right man, he will solve it with elegance. Long live Gianni! Bravo! * Applause * We read again and again in the documents about a conspiracy theory: Infantino played a role in the Blatter-Platini ban. Infantino flatly denies this. Sepp Blatter has a clear opinion on this: Platini definitely should not be there. She was his number one opponent. If Platini had been there, he would never have been elected. Platini would be president. He was cruel, cunning and malicious. A perfidious game. In his opinion, was he active? Yes, he was intelligent and active. - And how? I think he knew it.

I think Infantino first wanted to be president of UEFA and then he realized that the presidency of FIFA was becoming vacant. And then... I don't know, you have to ask the researchers. The truth will come to light. I don't know them completely, but I will follow the instructions of those who want to comment on them. *Applause* Good night. Welcome, Gianni Infantino. Thanks for stopping by here with us. You are a world traveler. He has just arrived from Doha and is heading directly to London. Another Valaisian. What are the reactions? We, from Valais, are well received by the people.

Today, people all over the world understand Valais German relatively well. It is the number one language in FIFA. This is well received. Infantino grew up in Brig, with two older sisters. He was a little Piccolino, a little spoiled, but adorable. His parents came to Brig in the 1960s as Italian guest workers: his father was a laborer and his mother was a kiosk saleswoman. Little Gianni reads Italian newspapers and dreams of a football career. He plays for FC Brig-Glis. Rinaldo Arnold, a childhood friend, is president there. He came in October. The second team has just played a game.

He said that he would like to come and look. No airs of grace, nothing. He remains one of the FC Brig-Glis, affable and sociable. Infantino promises a new FIFA. Reforms are absolutely necessary, that is the beginning and the end of everything: transparency, good governance, etc. Now we have to show that this is how we will work in the future: from now on, starting today, a new era. His first day at work after the election. It starts with a soccer game. Harmless at first glance. All known stars. All the friends. I promised that football would return on my first day at FIFA.

A few calls, everyone is there. Harmless except for one, except for this discreet man: Rinaldo Arnold, not a soccer star, but his childhood friend in Brig. He is, above all, a useful friend: he is the chief prosecutor of Valais and knows André Marty. , head of information at the Federal Prosecutor's Office. Marty also comes from Valais. His superior is Michael Lauber, the federal prosecutor. Lauber leads corruption investigations into FIFA and UEFA. SRF editor Oliver Washington followed Michael Lauber's career. Everything changed almost overnight, thanks to the revelations of the so-called Football Leaks and the Panama Papers. Thousands of confidential emails.

These are documents that were leaked to journalists. This was a huge topic with many questions. In Switzerland, the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper evaluated the documents. The explosive result: By chance, as a chance discovery through emails and text messages, it was discovered that Lauber had secretly met with the FIFA management. The famous secret meetings. We compare the data with the events we already know. And we are amazed: the first meeting on July 8, 2015. Complicated: before the Blatter-Platini ban, before the election of Infantino. Was it about Infantino's eventual candidacy? Mr. Lauber, his press spokesperson and Rinaldo Arnold were present at this first meeting.

Rinaldo Arnold later justified this meeting by saying that he wanted to know more about how the Federal Prosecutor's Office works. This is surprising, because a high-ranking Valais prosecutor should know the Swiss judicial system so well that he also knows how the federal prosecutor's office works. Two weeks after Infantino's election, things continue. Arnold writes on March 5, 2016: Federal Prosecutor Lauber meets secretly with FIFA President Infantino, even though the federal prosecutor's office is actually investigating corruption allegations surrounding the FIFA Qatar 22 elections The meeting will take place on March 22, not at the Federal Prosecutor's Office, no, at the Schweizerhof hotel in Bern.

A hotel owned by a Qatari sovereign wealth fund. And: The Qatari Embassy is also located in the Schweizerhof. A secret meeting with FIFA leaders in a Qatar hotel and at the same time an investigation into whether there was corruption in the Qatar elections: a delicate combination. April 6, 2016. Shortly after, two weeks after the secret meeting: Lauber's federal prosecutor's office conducted a search at the home of UEFA, Infantino's former employer. A raid was carried out today at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon because a well-known name also appears in the Panama Papers: Gianni Infantino, former UEFA general secretary and current FIFA president.

The background: Infantino signed contracts with two dubious television rights distributors. The two are accused in the United States. Is the new FIFA president involved in dirty business? The suspicion will give a lot to talk about later. Infantino is bothered that the media mentions him along with the UEFA raid. He texts his childhood friend. The Federal Prosecutor's Office refused, but ten days later Infantino met again with Lauber, now a secret meeting in Zurich, at the Au Premier restaurant. Infantino flies there specifically on the private jet of the emir of Qatar. The public should never have known all of this.

The football leaks will be known in autumn 2018. Then follows Lauber's famous press conference. He then appears in front of the media. Lauber with Marty. Hello, everyone. Dear media professionals, good morning. Maybe I can at least greet them in Valais German. Thank you for your interest in the work of the Federal Prosecutor's Office. There you have it, Michael Lauber. Good morning Good Morning. On April 6, 2016, a criminal case related to UEFA was opened. On April 22, 2016 there was a second and final meeting between Gianni Infantino and me in Zurich. And I never discussed this matter with Gianni Infantino or with UEFA representatives at any time, neither in these meetings nor in any other way. (Journalist) Why were these meetings not recorded?

These were high-level meetings for the strategic management of the procedures. Therefore, in my opinion, the documentation requirement of the StPO has nothing to do with the specific documentation requirement that this StPO provides for specific procedural actions. Otherwise, you would have to document in the broadest sense every meeting with someone just because the BA or the BA does it. That would lead in a completely wrong direction. So you don't regret this meeting, despite the commotion it caused? No, I don't regret it because... I can't repent of my duty. I really see it as my duty. I do it in other procedures too.

It's really necessary. I say to you. And if this is no longer necessary or my duty, then I have an absolutely fundamental problem. Bye bye. The interesting thing about this press conference was that Lauber acted as if it were the most normal thing in the world to meet secretly with those involved in the process. He certainly wanted to downplay these meetings. Also interesting was his reasoning as to why these meetings were not recorded. He said, to put it bluntly, that it would have taken too long. And something else stands out about Lauber's appearance: Lauber said in this press conference that there were two meetings between him and Infantino and that the second meeting was the last.

He later informed the supervisory board that no further meetings had been held. But it turned out that there was another meeting between Lauber and Infantino, at the Hotel Schweizerhof in Bern. This is fatal because it is evident that Lauber has told a lie. Rinaldo Arnold is now called by his first name with André Marty. Five months later. Classification... The UEFA-Infantino affair - classification. Rating - discontinued. Lauber's federal prosecutor's office is acting. A few months later, UEFA's investigation was dropped, exonerating Infantino to some extent. Naturally, the question arises as to whether they discussed it, whether the meeting played any role.

Today, five years later, there is still speculation about why the Federal Prosecutor's Office suspended the process. Two extraordinary prosecutors are investigating. At that point, the SRG confronted Lauber with the forgotten meeting. We checked the agendas manually at the end of last year and did not find this possible third meeting. This is a mistake. We made a mistake there. This can happen, given my schedule with its numerous appointments. Do I have to believe that? - I didn't hide anything. I do not lie. It is the simple truth, although it may be unpleasant. Lauber says that he does not remember this meeting or the content of this meeting.

Anyway, he's under pressure because of this latest meeting. The supervisory authority does not consider Lauber's statements credible. Then a disciplinary investigation begins. There is a confrontation between Lauber and the supervisory authority. Lauber considers that this disciplinary investigation is an interference in the independence of the Federal Public Ministry and an attack against his person. Michael Lauber responded to the disciplinary investigation with a press conference. I don't lie or hide anything. He formally rejected these accusations. Reducing the entire discussion to my memory and presenting it as a capital error that demands my head... I can't say it any other way: it is simply absurd.

ANDInfantino? Do you still remember what she talked to Lauber about? Today we are at the FIFA Museum in Zurich. For the life of me, I can't remember it exactly. But what I remember for sure is that everything went correctly. If I ask you what you had for lunch a month ago, do you remember that? - Maybe not, but I would remember a meeting with the federal prosecutor. I have x meetings every month, every week. In the third meeting in question, I was in Beijing the day before and met with the president of China. The next day I was in St.

Petersburg, met with Putin and gave a speech to 65,000 people at the opening of the Confederations Cup. The fact that I can't remember exactly... You can blame me, I blame myself for that too. But the very idea that you can go to the federal prosecutor, Switzerland's top prosecutor, to do something crooked... That very idea is beyond the imagination of anyone with even 0.1% brainpower. At that time, Hans-Joachim Eckert was part of the ethics committee. He didn't know anything about the secret meetings. I don't understand why people had to meet here privately. And it is strange that no one remembers this third meeting in Berne.

As a judge, you often find yourself in this situation in life. The collective amnesia in some areas, especially in large commercial or banking procedures, is very profound. But we wonder why Eckert didn't act when the secret meetings were discovered in late 2018? We realize: Infantino, one year into his mandate, is restructuring the internal control body, the Ethics Committee. There will be new elections on May 11, 2017. We remember: Eckert blocked Blatter and Platini for the payment of 2 million. On the eve of his conference in Bahrain, the world football association entered the debate and, to some extent, the decline. There was an internal list.

It had the names of Cornel Borbély and all the others. And then came the invitation to Bahrain and also the plane tickets and the hotel reservation. Then we fly there. And when we left and the cell phones rang again, we heard through the media that the ethics committee was no longer going to be re-elected in this way. Hans-Joachim Eckert from Germany and Corner Borbély from Switzerland must leave their place. Both have experience, both are recognized. Outside of FIFA and in the inner circle, no one knows why. Eckert and Borbély organize a press conference on site.

How did FIFA justify not being re-elected? I don't know any reason. If you have one, I ask you to do it. Didn't FIFA justify it? - I have no reason. So we both said, Cornel Borbély and I, that the Ethics Commission in its current form is dead. They will no longer exist like this. The next day, Gianni Infantino responds to journalists' questions like this: It is a completely normal process. Congress has decided (by more or less 90% of the vote) to elect these new members. I think we shouldn't turn this into a tragedy. (Hansjürg Zumstein) Did Mr.

Infantino give you an explanation or talk to you? - No. Never, there was no more contact. (Hansjürg Zumstein) Eckert and Borbély were “cunning dogs.” Following her dismissal, it was immediately assumed, especially in the foreign media, that Infantino had replaced her with people who were "more loyal" to him. It is believed that Infantino wanted to appoint people as president who he was sure would not act against him. We study the records of the American justice system. During this phase of secret meetings, amnesia, and Eckert's deposition, explosive things happened in America. (María Roselli) Burzaco. (Hansjürg Zumstein) key witness. - The chiave testimony. (Ludovic Rocchi) Le temoin clé, c'est lui.- Questo è lui.

Everything we know he said under oath. He was a television rights merchant, president of the Torneos company, for which he worked for many years. And he was part of this bribery system for years. Alejandro Burzaco confesses to the crime, fraud and conspiracy. In Nova Iorque, the corruption scheme in FIFA... Alejandro Burzaco makes new accusations against the football leaders... Burzaco testemunhou for the fifth consecutive day in Nova Iorque... Burzaco's statements barely found any echo in the media Swiss. In Brazil, however, the revelations from the world of football and also about Qatar were the big topic. Key witness Burzaco testifies in a New York court on November 14, 2017.

The turning point. We are five years away from the start of the World Cup in Qatar. In cross-examination, Burzaco explains in detail why Qatar's elections were corrupt. Infantino and FIFA know about his explosive statements. Here we have more than 850 pages of records, much of which are his sworn statements. They are very important for our research. And on page 402, if I remember correctly, he says in black and white: "Based on his conversations with Julio Grondona, which officials received money for voting in the Qatar elections?" "Ricardo Teixeira, Nicolás Leoz and Julio Grondona." This statement is crucial when it comes to the question: Was there corruption in the Qatar elections?

Corruption in the Qatar elections according to Burzaco. At the time, Sepp Blatter was president of FIFA. What does today say about the fact that, according to US records, three votes were corrupt? I didn't know - and I still don't know - who was receiving money from somewhere. The only thing I can say is that I never received any money. Qatar was elected by 8 votes to 14. Teixeira, Leoz, Grondona: these three votes, acquired according to American justice, made the difference. If the vote had been 11-11, then FIFA President Blatter would have had the deciding vote, with Blatter favoring the United States.

If it is assumed that three votes were then bought, then the same thing happens as with other parliamentary decisions - in town halls, in local councils - then this decision is invalid because it was made criminally. And then this decision would have to be made again after a challenge, under different conditions. Then FIFA would ultimately have to think: “What do we do now?” Infantino knew it at that moment: the World Cup would be held in Qatar in five years. He did not respond to the US judiciary's explosive statements about vote buying. We'd like to know what you think about it today.

He declines our request for an on-camera interview. We asked for a written statement and waited. Meanwhile, we learn: within FIFA, Burzaco's statements are a topic of conversation. Infantino, for his part, travels the world shaking hands and promoting his new FIFA. The yellow card is a warning. And when you want to kick someone out, you show this one. The World Cup in Qatar is getting closer. Zurich, June 5, 2019, electoral congress. There is only one candidate: Gianni Infantino. Dear friends, on this election day no one talks about crises, scandals, corruption. Everything's fine. I am proud and happy that the reserves, which were 1 billion when I took office, are now 2.75 billion, that is, 1.75 billion more.

He will be re-elected by acclamation. Thank you all, my family and friends, everyone who loves me or hates me. Today I love everyone. While Infantino runs from success to success, Michael Lauber's situation becomes increasingly critical. Secret meetings are fatal. Great post today for Federal Prosecutor Michael Lauber of the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona. He, as federal prosecutor, one of his senior prosecutors and the head of FIFA's criminal proceedings must resign. Federal prosecutor Lauber stumbles upon his unofficial meetings with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Lauber is declared biased by the Federal Criminal Court. He has to assign certain procedures, and certain procedures he also prescribes.

The Federal Prosecutor's Office seems to have lost its way. Swiss justice is busy with itself. Therefore, the judicial commission recommends that Parliament not re-elect him. Therefore, the Federal Assembly can negotiate and make decisions. Things turn out differently: Monsieur Michael Lauber speaks with 129 voices. *Applause* There is a statement and then that's it. One. No questions? - Pas de français, pas de questions. Good morning - Could you come a little closer? Then everyone will hear me when I get even closer. I am happy for this re-election. I would like to thank Parliament for its trust. And I would also like to thank my friends and family for everything they did during this not always easy time, for their support.

I wish you a good day. A demand. Allow me... Meanwhile at FIFA Zurich. Something surprising happened there: the FIFA Ethics Committee issued a ruling that had far-reaching consequences, based on the key American witness Burzaco, supported by the American judiciary. We read in the sentence: Teixeira, an executive member of FIFA, received bribes for his vote in Qatar. Burzaco's statement, which he made before the New York court, was adopted one by one in the verdict. In other words: the verdict shows who accepted bribes for Qatar 2022: Leoz, Teixeira and Grondona. Therefore, Burzaco's statement was adopted one by one in the verdict of the FIFA Ethics Committee.

Why is FIFA's new Ethics Committee under Infantino relying on US files for leniency testimony? This question remains unanswered. But we see it in the documents: Eckert's former ethics commission already opened proceedings against Teixeira after the Baur-au-Lac arrests. The ethics committee's ruling is making headlines in Brazil. A FIFA ban or former CBF president Ricardo Teixeira for corruption. Former CBF president Ricardo Teixeira... Pain considers Ricardo Teixeira guilty of bribery and forever banned from football-related activities. FIFA Ethics Committee rules: Teixeira will be banned for life from all football activities due to corruption. And he imposes a fine of 1 million Swiss francs, about the same amount Teixeira is said to have received for his vote in Qatar, according to U.S. files.

Teixeira is the only one of the trio still alive. Leoz and Grondona are dead. Despite the clear verdict: Teixeira still claims that he never accepted bribes. He provides information on CNN Brazil. Why is the US justice system investigating him? Because Ricardo Teixeira was one of those who buried the United States World Cup. They come. The World Cup that should have been held in the United States? Yes, they come. You know it. (Hansjürg Zumstein) Shouldn't Infantino have acted immediately after this decision by the ethics committee? Surely, FIFA should have commissioned an investigation to determine if and how this ruling affects Qatar's award.

What does Infantino say about Teixeira's explosive ruling? No reaction, no public statement. We are three years away from the start of the World Cup in Qatar. One of the many videos on the Internet. For him, construction works in Qatar take priority. It's a great feeling. And when you see the work, when you feel the vibrations, it's magical. Meanwhile, in the politics of Bern: the secret meetings between Infantino and Lauber have serious consequences for Swiss justice. The supervisory authority concludes that Michael Lauber, in some cases, has seriously violated his official obligations. Lauber will take the sentence to the Federal Administrative Court.

As we know today, this was fatal for Lauber, because the Federal Administrative Court also concluded that Lauber had seriously breached his duty in some cases and - this is the crucial point - that Michael Lauber intentionally told lies about the last meeting. In reality, the court says he lied. Now it's happening faster than expected: Disgraced federal prosecutor Michael Lauber resigned in early August. (Cornelia Bösch) After his resignation, the bond around the current federal prosecutor Lauber tightens: the extraordinary prosecutor wants to initiate criminal proceedings against Lauber and requests that his immunity be lifted. Mr. Lauber, how did he do? - Nice day.

The Lauber case is a disaster for Swiss justice. Lauber is still not out of the problem. Two extraordinary federal prosecutors are investigating him and Infantino. It will be interesting to see if they find out what was discussed at the last secret meeting. And if the court were to even conclude that Lauber abused his position to promote Infantino's career, that, of course, would be fatal. The result is still open, but Infantino cannot be stopped. He joins the World Cup helpers in Qatar. President Infantino, the stage is yours. I did not hear you. Hello! *Cheers* Are you feeling well? *Cheers* Are you feeling well? *Greetings* We can show the whole world that Qatar, in fact the entire Arab world, welcomes everyone for an incredible experience.

You are the heart, soul and smile of the World Cup. I count "one, two, three" and then "Qatar." One, two, three... - (All)... Qatar! Good. And now: one, two, three and FIFA. One, two... Wait, wait! One, two, three... - (All)... FIFA. We want to know from FIFA: Did Teixeira pay the fine of 1 million francs? FIFA does not provide any information on this issue. But we realize: running in the backgroundlegal procedures. Because Teixeira does not accept the fine and the verdict of the FIFA Ethics Committee. He appealed and continued the verdict. We demand that the courts see the decisions.

And we are surprised again: the process has passed into the hands of Infantino's legal team. Defend the position of theEthics Commission before the Supreme Court. He goes to the Federal Court in Lausanne... ...and FIFA wins. The Federal Court confirmed in February of this year: Teixeira is guilty of corruption. In other words: FIFA recognizes that Burzaco's statement is credible and that at least three votes regarding the Qatar 2022 nomination were corrupt. And what the current situation is, whether and how FIFA should react to this decision of the Federal Court, is Mr. Infantino's decision. What do you think? - I don't think so in that area.

After months of waiting, we finally received an email from Gianni Infantino. Many questions remain unanswered. We got one line about the Federal Court ruling: "There is no decision of the FIFA Ethics Committee that mentions bribery in relation to Qatar." Infantino's answer is evidently wrong. With his response he contradicts, on the one hand, the ruling of the ethics committee against Teixeira and, on the other, that of his own lawyers. What was Infantino's motto when he was elected president of FIFA? There are two options: hide or surrender. You hide and wait until it's all over, or you surrender and act.

For me hiding was never an option, I always wanted to act. And I'm not afraid to take responsibility and move forward. SWISS TXT / Accessibility services puretype gmbh - 2022