Credit Suisse says investigated by Swiss, US authorities over Fifa banking links

[ZURICH] Banking giant Credit Suisse said Friday it was under investigation by Swiss and US authorities over banking links with Fifa officials accused of bribery and corruption.

"Credit Suisse has received inquiries from these authorities regarding its banking relationships with certain individuals and entities associated with Fifa," the bank said in a statement within its third-quarter earnings report.

Credit Suisse added that it was cooperating with the authorities on the matter.

US and Swiss authorities are probing whether Credit Suisse and other institutions waved through improper transactions or failed to observe anti-money laundering regulations in dealing with the accounts of Fifa associates.

Credit Suisse said the investigation focused on individuals and entities "including but not limited to certain persons and entities named and/or described in the May 20, 2015 indictment filed in United States" as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged Fifa corruption.

Officials from the US Department of Justice and the FBI in June announced charges against nine top Fifa officials and five businessmen following a multi-year investigation, arresting seven officials in Switzerland ahead of Fifa's annual Congress.

As the investigation has deepened, the scandal-plagued world football governing body has come under pressure to undergo deep reform with major sponsors queuing up to demand the organisation become more accountable and transparent.

Sponsors have been urging a reform process similar to that used by the International Olympic Committee after it was dragged into a bribery scandal over the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

AFP

BT is now on Telegram!

For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes