Report: FIFA presidential candidate offered Blatter's financial records
Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, a candidate in Friday's FIFA presidential election, was offered details of sitting president Sepp Blatter's financial records, members of his election team told the Associated Press.
Hussein and Blatter are the two candidates left in the election after two other challengers pulled out of the race week.
Hussein's team said an unnamed person "offered details on Blatter's finances and claimed to be able to help deliver dozens of votes," the AP reports. The team then informed law enforcement but declined to specify which country's authorities had been contacted. The offer "appeared to involve criminal activity," Hussein's team told the AP.
• UEFA Chief: FIFA will lack credibility if Blatter re-elected
Blatter is seeking a fifth term as FIFA's president and has not been challenged in an election since 2002. The FBI is reportedly investigating corruption claims against Blatter and FIFA with regard to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids. FIFA commissioned a report to investigate the bid process but found no improprieties. A summary of the report was released publicly, but the FBI is reportedly attempting to secure the full report.
ESPN's E:60 newsmagazine program reported earlier this month that "Blatter has decided, due to the FBI investigation, that it would be unwise to set foot on American soil." Blatter said days later that he planned to visit the U.S. for the Copa America in 2016.
• Maradona: FIFA has turned into a 'playground for the corrupt'
- Dan Gartland
