Just hours after Sepp Blatter was announced he was standing down as Fifa president- a report in the US media claimed he was the subject of a corruption inquiry by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 The New York Times said that while Mr Blatter had in recent days sought to distance himself from the inquiry that had seen a number of his colleagues detained – a number of US officials had confirmed he was himself the subject of an inquiry.

The FBI failed to immediately respond to inquiries on Tuesday night. Mr Blatter has not made any comment on the reports.

Mr Blatter’s empty seat

However the paper claimed those who have already been indicted could be used to provide evidence about the Fifa president. Last week, US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said the federal investigation that has resulted in the arrest of Fifa officials in Zurich was ‘ongoing’.

‘Several United States officials – speaking on the condition of anonymity – said that in their efforts to build a case against Mr Blatter they were hoping to win the cooperation of some of the Fifa officials now under indictment and work their way up the organisation’ the paper said.

There has been widespread speculation that this could involve information provided to federal investigators by Chuck Blazer – the former senior Fifa official who has turned ‘whistleblower’. Some reports said Blazer’s testimony – so far held under seal – could be made public.

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Source: Fifa corruption probe: Sepp Blatter is being investigated by FBI, claims report – Americas – World – The Independent