Swiss investigators open criminal proceedings against FIFA President Sepp Blatter

Swiss investigators announced Friday that FIFA President Sepp Blatter is suspected of an illicit payment to UEFA President Michel Platini. Blatter is also suspected of "criminal mismanagement and misappropriation" in a case involving FIFA official Jack Warner, concerning World Cup television rights. The investigators have opened criminal proceedings as a result.

FIFA responded, “Since 27 May 2015, FIFA has been cooperating with the Office of the Swiss Attorney General (OAG) and has complied with all requests for documents, data and other information. We will continue this level of cooperation throughout the investigation." The international soccer governing body has been under intense scrutiny since the United States Department of Justice in May charged over a dozen officials with participation in a corruption scandal.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.