FIFA has defended its president, Giovanni Infantino, after a criminal investigation was opened into the 50-year old's conduct last week.
The investigation concerns three alleged secret meetings between Infantino and Michael Lauber, the Swiss Attorney General who has been leading a widespread investigation into football corruption.
Both men have denied any wrongdoing, with Infantino stating back in June:
"To meet with the attorney general of Switzerland is perfectly legitimate and it is perfectly legal. It is no violation of anything."
The head of world football's governing body had faced calls to be suspended following the announcement, but in a statement to Associated Press (AP) yesterday, FIFA claimed "nothing remotely criminal has happened", and that Infantino would continue in the role as usual.
"There is nothing at all to suggest any form of criminal wrongdoing. The FIFA president is subject to a criminal investigation by the Swiss judicial authorities, but he has not been charged nor is he guilty of anything.
"There is nothing preventing the president from performing his duties. He will continue to fully assume his functions within FIFA."
Attorney General resigns after evidence of "reprehensible behaviour"
Infantino succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA President in 2016 amidst a worldwide corruption scandal which saw multiple officials convicted of criminal activity. Blatter himself was banned from football-related activity until 2021.
However, this fresh controversy will doubtlessly hamper efforts to cleanse an organisation which continues to be blighted by corruption allegations.
Despite Infantino labelling the allegations as "absurd" back in June, Lauber has since tendered his resignation and admitted to lying to supervisors about meetings with Infantino, after Swiss Special Prosecutor Stefan Keller found evidence of criminal conduct. Keller was appointed in June to investigate criminal complaints against the pair and others, BBC Sport states.
As reported by AP on Thursday, Keller has claimed to have found evidence of "elements that make up reprehensible behaviour", including indications of abuse of public office and breach of official secrecy, amongst others.
Such crimes can carry penalties of up to five years in prison in Switzerland, as well as financial penalties.
FIFA: Infantino actions were routine
FIFA has acknowledged Keller's decision and has said it will "continue to cooperate fully with the judicial authorities in Switzerland until these investigations are concluded.”
Yet, it insisted "The purpose [of the meetings] was always to offer FIFA's full support in the investigations. The FIFA president and FIFA officials went to see the most senior law officer in the country to describe the changes that had been made at FIFA, and offered co-operation in prosecuting criminal wrongdoing.
"The FIFA president went there in good faith and as a representative of FIFA."
It added the meetings aimed to "restore trust" and "explain the concrete steps being taken to bring good governance" within the organisation.
Infantino has himself continued to claim his actions were taken in good faith, claiming “As president of FIFA, it has been my aim from day one, and it remains my aim, to assist the authorities with investigating past wrongdoings at FIFA.
“FIFA officials have met with prosecutors in other jurisdictions across the world for exactly these purposes.”
The investigation continues.
