Fifa scandal: US asks Switzerland to extradite officials arrested in corruption investigation

The US has asked Switzerland to extradite seven Fifa officials arrested in Zurich on suspicion of corruption.

The executives were arrested in a hotel in the Swiss capital following an investigation by the FBI over allegations the members of world's footballing body took bribes worth over $100m (£64m).

Among those who were arrested include former Fifa executive Jack Warner and vice president Jeffrey Webb.

The Swiss Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) confirmed the US embassy in Bern submitted the formal extradition request.

A spokesperson said: "The requests are based on the arrest warrants issued on 20 May 2015 by the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, which is investigating the high-ranking FIFA officers on suspicion of taking bribes worth over $100m.

"In return, those suspected of paying the bribes – representatives of sports media and sports promotion firms – are believed to have received media, marketing and sponsorship rights for soccer tournaments in the United States and in Latin America.

"These crimes are thought to have been agreed and prepared in the USA, and payments were allegedly routed through US banks."

The Fifa officials will have 14 days to respond to the requests once they have been given a hearing by the Zurich Cantonal Police.

Once a response has been given, the FOJ with then rule on an extradition within a few weeks. The FOJ's extradition ruling may be challenged before the Federal Criminal Court, as well as before the Federal Supreme Court, as the ultimate court of appeal.

As well as 14 football officials charged with corruption and bribery allegations, including the Fifa executives, Swiss authorities have also launched a criminal investigation into the handing of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively.

The scandal led to the resignation of long-term Fifa president Sepp Blatter despite him not being one of those involved in the corruption investigation.