Criminal proceedings opened against Fifa president Sepp Blatter

Criminal proceedings have started against Fifa president Sepp Blatter, Swiss authorities confirmed today.

The Attorney General (OAG) has confirmed that Blatter was questioned today over two instances of “criminal mismanagement” in separate cases that involve Uefa president Michel Platini and former head of the Caribbean Football Union Jack Warner.

Representatives also conducted a search of Fifa headquarters and 'ceased data' during the organisation’s Executive Committee meeting.

Blatter is suspected of criminal mismanagement or misappropriation over a TV rights deal he signed Warner in 2005.

Blatter is alleged to have made a “disloyal payment” to Platini - the head of European football - for work carried out between January 1999 and June 2002. The payment was made in February 2011.

The 79-year-old is also alleged to have signed a contract with the CFU that was “unfavourable” to Fifa. Blatter is alleged in this instance to have acted against the interest of the organisation he has led since 1998.

The president announced that in June he would step down from his role, elections had been expected to take place in February.

Fifa confirmed in a statement that they have been co-operating with the OAG since May and had complied with all requests for documents, data and other information.

In relation to today’s events the governing body said: “Today, at the Home of Fifa, representatives from the Office of the Swiss Attorney General conducted interviews and gathered documents pursuant to its investigation. FIFA facilitated these interviews as part of our ongoing cooperation.”

Blatter announced that in June he would step down from his role, elections had been expected to take place in February.