Bern (awp / ats) – “There is no reason to open an investigation” against the boss of Fifa, Gianni Infantino, said the federation on Sunday. The extraordinary federal prosecutor decided on Thursday to open criminal proceedings within the framework of the meetings between Mr. Infantino and the federal prosecutor Michael Lauber.
Stefan Keller has presented neither irrefutable evidence nor a legal basis for his decision. Fifa did not have access to the file of the extraordinary prosecutor, she regrets.
“Nothing which indicates from near or far that an offense or a reprehensible act has been committed”, reacts the federation. “There is absolutely nothing illegal about meeting with a prosecutor, neither in Switzerland nor elsewhere.”
FIFA and the FIFA President deny any innuendo or allusion to believe that the FIFA President has attempted to exercise undue influence over the Attorney General of the Confederation
Logical encounters
It is perfectly logical that MM. Infantino and Lauber meet, defends Fifa. The Attorney General’s Office (MPC) was investigating more than 20 Fifa-related cases at the time of these meetings, she recalls.
These meetings were not a secret. They were programmed by the MPC and were on the agenda.
The aim has always been to reassure the MPC of Fifa’s full cooperation in the context of the ongoing investigations. The federation met with the Attorney General to inform him of the changes underway within the organization.
At the time of the first meeting, Mr. Infantino had only been president of Fifa for 24 days, specifies the federation. Fifa was in a dire situation and risked being classified as a criminal organization by the US authorities.
Waiver of immunity
According to Mr. Keller’s conclusions, there are elements of reprehensible behavior in connection with the meeting between the attorney general, the president of Fifa, Gianni Infantino and the first prosecutor of Haut-Valais, Rinaldo Arnold.
The opening of criminal proceedings against members of authorities or judges elected by the Federal Assembly for offenses related to their activity requires the authorization of the competent committees. The extraordinary prosecutor therefore asks them to lift the immunity of Mr. Lauber.
At the same time, Mr Keller has initiated criminal proceedings against Mr Infantino and Mr Arnold, who do not enjoy any immunity.
Resignation
Mr. Lauber formally submitted his resignation on Tuesday evening. As the deadline for terminating the employment relationship of a federal prosecutor is six months, he submitted his resignation by January 31. But, due to an accumulated vacation balance, he will be able to leave his post on August 31.
From September 1, the official business of the Attorney General will be taken over by his two deputies, Ruedi Montanari and Jacques Rayroud. According to observers, the two deputy attorneys general should not be among the candidates to succeed Michael Lauber.
The Judicial Committee of the Federal Chambers will consider the consequences of Mr Lauber’s resignation on August 19. She will also discuss the succession. The next Attorney General will be elected by the Federal Assembly, at the earliest during the winter session.
ats / rp
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