FIFA financial watchdog official arrested on suspicion of money laundering, corruption

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The Royal Cayman Islands Police Anti-Corruption Unit arrested Canover Watson on August 28, and he was questioned about alleged money laundering operations and abuse of public office. Watson is a member of FIFA's financial audit and compliance committee, in addition to being a close friend of FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb.

Watson made only a brief statement denying the allegations and saying that "in the appropriate forum, I look forward to setting out my position in greater detail."

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FIFA's financial watchdog chairman Domenico Scala wrote to The Associated Press about the matter, saying that the committee had "asked Canover Watson whether he can share…any additional information."

FIFA is already under scrutiny because of allegations that vice president Issa Hayatou received favors to back Qatar as host of the 2022 World Cup.