Spanish media giant's Miami office raided by FBI in FIFA scandal

Media World accused of agreeing to pay bribes

MIAMI ā€“ The FBI raided the Miami offices of Media World, an affiliate of Spanish media giant Imagina Group, Thursday in connection with the FIFA soccer scandal.

There have been allegations that Media World was one of several sports marketing companies that agreed to pay bribes in the FIFA soccer scandal that broke out over the summer.

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In an indictment, Fabio Tordin is accused of being a go-between from accounts in Miami to banks in other countries.

Imagina US's attorney Ken Tolle told reporters Thursday that Imagina is cooperating fully with the investigation and said no arrests would be made Thursday.

Prosecutors said that more than $150 million was paid out in bribes over the past two decades. The news led to the arrests of some top soccer and marketing executives.

According to Switzerland's Federal Office of Justice, Swiss police arrested acting CONCACAF President Alreado Hawit Thursday morning and FIFA Vice President Juan Angel Napout. Both are accused of accepting millions of dollars in bribes.

The U.S. Soccer Federation released the following statement after news of the arrests: "Today's events involving individual members of CONCACAF and CONMEBOL in no way pierce the integrity of the rigorous safeguards the United States Soccer Federation required before agreeing to host Copa America Centenario that ensure the tournament is organized and conducted in a way that is open, transparent and above reproach."

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lunch also addressed the indictments.

"The new charges unsealed today highlight corruption schemes principally involving soccer officials in Central and South America and sports marketing companies based in South America and the United States," Lynch said.

Thursday's arrests follow 14 other indictments against FIFA officials earlier this year.

"Each of the 16 new defendants is charged with racketeering conspiracy and with other crimes in connection with their sustained abuse as set forth in the indictment of their positions for financial gain," Lynch said.

Previous raids were also carried out in Switzerland and the CONCACAF headquarters in Miami Beach.

The scandal forced FIFA President Sepp Platter to resign, but so far, he has not been charged.


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.