British authorities say they are ready to prosecute any UK wrongdoing in Fifa scandal

Attorney General meets with Culture Secretary to work out action plan

(GETTY IMAGES)

British authorities have said they are ready to prosecute any wrongdoing in the Fifa scandal that was committed in the UK.

The Culture Secretary John Whittingdale has met with the Government’s chief legal advisor to work out how UK authorities would respond to any allegations that fell under its jurisdiction.

Mr Whittingdale, who previously described Fifa as a “deeply flawed and corrupt organisation” agreed the plan with Attorney General Jeremy Wright QC.

Any investigation in the event of new “evidence of criminal wrongdoing” would be led by the Serious Fraud Office and supported by the Government, ministers said.

British authorities would also co-operate with American and Swiss investigators in helping to get to the bottom of current corruption and bribery allegations.

Junior culture minister Tracey Crouch told MPs: “My Right Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has spoken with the Attorney General.

“They agreed that the British authorities will offer full co-operation with American and Swiss investigators, and that if any evidence of criminal wrongdoing in the UK emerges, we will fully the support the Serious Fraud Office and other relevant authorities in pursuing those involved.”

Last month a 47-count sheet of charges against Fifa officials was filed in a New York federal court detailing 12 separate allegedly corrupt schemes.

The officials are alleged to have accepted a total of $150m in bribes since 1991. Seven of the nine accused were arrested in a raid by Swiss police at a five-star hodel in Zurich.

US prosecutors hinted that there could be more charges to come.

“It is not over. The work will continue until all of the corruption is uncovered and a message is sent around the world,” FBI Director James Comey said shortly after the arrests.

The arrests came days before Fifa’s presidential election. After winning the election, the organisation’s president Sepp Blatter resigned, saying he believed he did not command the confidence of all of world football.