Zurich (AP) - The high-ranking football official Nasser Al-Khelaifi and the former FIFA general secretary Jerôme Valcke have been indicted in Switzerland in connection with the granting of media rights to world championships.
Valcke (59), who was released from his duties at the world association in September 2015, is accused of "passive bribery", "multiple qualified unfaithful business management" and "forgery of documents".
Al-Khelaifi (46), boss of the French top club Paris Saint-Germain and head of the Qatar broadcaster beIN, and a third suspect are said to have instigated Valcke to do business unfaithfully.
"It emerged from the investigation that Valcke did not receive the due benefits from both of the co-accused," said the Swiss federal prosecutor. Al-Khelaifi, who has also been a member of the UEFA Executive Committee since 2019, has given the Frenchman, who once supported former FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter (83), the sole right of use to a villa in Sardinia. FIFA never reported this to Valcke.
The BA initiated the criminal proceedings in March 2017, and FIFA also filed a criminal complaint for private bribery against all three suspects at the end of 2016. With Al-Khelaifi, however, the world association has meanwhile reached an "unspecified amicable settlement", the authority said, and therefore withdrew the application against the Qatar.
"The withdrawal concerns allegations of active and passive bribery between Al-Khelaifi and Valcke in connection with the granting of media rights to the 2026 and 2030 World Cup and other FIFA events for the Middle East and North Africa region in return for the same period Granting the aforementioned advantages in connection with the villa in Sardinia. "
Notice from the federal prosecutor