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FIFA corruption scandal

FIFA announces proceedings into Germany’s 2006 World Cup bid

Last Wednesday, FIFA published documents in which it officially acknowledged facts of bribery during the election of the host countries for the 1998 and 2010 World Cups

© EPA/STEFFEN SCHMIDT, archive

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FIFA admits bribery cases in election of 1998 and 2010 World Cup hosts

GENEVA, March 22. /TASS/. FIFA’s investigatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee opened proceedings into Germany’s bid for 2006 World Cup and six officials from the German Football Association (DFB), FIFA said in its statement on Tuesday.

"After examining the Freshfields report commissioned by the German Football Association (DFB), the investigatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has decided to open formal proceedings against the following individuals in the context of the 2006 FIFA World Cup host selection and its associated funding," the statement said.

The DFB officials mentioned in the FIFA statement are:

Wolfgang Niersbach, former president of the DFB, vice-president of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) and current member of the FIFA and UEFA Executive Committees
Helmut Sandrock, former secretary general of the DFB and tournament director of the LOC
Franz Beckenbauer, former vice-president of the DFB, president of the LOC and former member of the FIFA Executive Committee
Theo Zwanziger, former president of the DFB, vice-president of the LOC and former member of the FIFA and UEFA Executive Committees
Horst R. Schmidt, former secretary general of the DFB and vice-president of the LOC
Stefan Hans, former chief financial officer of the DFB and chief financial officer of the LOC

Last Wednesday, FIFA published documents in which it officially acknowledged facts of bribery during the election of the host countries for the 1998 and 2010 World Cups, held in France and South Africa respectively.

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World’s newly-elected football chief Infantino pledges to reinstate global trust in FIFA

The facts of bribery were stated by the world’s governing body of football in its 21-page letter it sent to the United States authorities on Wednesday as part of the major corruption case involving FIFA officials.

FIFA announced that it submitted documents with the authorities of the United States in an effort to reclaim tens of millions of dollars, illegally pocketed by 41 organization’s corrupt executives and other football officials.

A chain of corruption scandals rocked FIFA throughout last year. Everything flared up with an unprecedented scandal on the morning of May 27, 2015, one day before the 65th FIFA Congress in Zurich, where seven of the organization’s high-ranking officials were arrested in Switzerland on bribery, money laundering and corruption charges. More arrests on corruption charges followed among FIFA officials in December.

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FIFA corruption scandal

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Russian troops advance towards Borovaya in eastern Kharkov region — official

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Russian air defenses down Ukrainian drone over Crimea

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The explosion occurred during clean-up operations at basement premises in the utility zone of the Budenny Military Academy, the press service of the Leningrad Military District reported

Kyrgyz security forces cordon off street in center of Bishkek where crowd gathers

According to the 24.kg news agency, about 1,000 people, who arrived there after the fight in the hostel, gathered behind the cordon

Dedollarization of Russia-China trade will continue — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov also highly praised the cooperation between the regions of Russia and the provinces of China and emphasized its contribution to the development of the Russian territories bordering China

Russia working on logistics with Gulf countries — deputy PM Khusnullin

The work is underway on development of international transport corridors in different directions, Marat Khusnullin added

Russian troops use latest Upyr FPV drones in Kharkov push

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Relations between Gulf countries and Russia reach new level — Omani minister

According to Said bin Mohammed Al Saqri, this happened thanks to Russia’s cooperation with both the Council in general and "bilateral cooperation with each of its member countries"

Finnish president says Helsinki doesn’t ask for hosting NATO nuclear weapons on its soil

Alexander Stubb pointed out that after joining the North Atlantic Alliance, Finland wants to play a meaningful role in it

Putin apologizes to Harbin residents for tight security measures over his visit

"The greatest impression lies in the power of Harbin," the Russian leader noted, adding that "Harbin has turned into a powerful world-scale megacity in recent years"

Different routes for Power of Siberia 2 under discussion, including through NSR — Putin

"You can 'bribe' the tanker fleet and arrange [supplies] along the Northern Sea Route almost like through the pipeline," the Russian leader

Russia ready for talks with Ukraine, but needs to know who is trustworthy there — Putin

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Fico’s bodyguards saved his life — Slovakia’s Interior Minister

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Ukrainian media outlets reported explosions in the city of Mirgorod

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The North-South project is also important for many countries of the region, Ahmed bin Nasser bin Jassim Al-Thani added

Russian Northern Fleet’s naval group embarks on long-distance deployment

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Maria Zakharova pointed out that behind these barbaric attacks with Western weapons the silhouettes of US and British handlers of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's were clearly visible

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Islam Khamayseh was involved in organizing a number of terror attacks in the area, the army’s press service reported

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Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 17th

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Diplomat warns about response to EU ban on broadcasting of Russian media outlets

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Commander-in-chief warns Russian troops can circumvent Ukrainian forces in Kharkov Region

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Kiev asks US to lift restrictions on using weapons against targets in Russia — newspaper

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'Sanitary zone' near Kharkov and talks on Ukraine: What Putin told the media in Harbin

Even though Vladimir Putin’s visit to China was a state one, "it was a purely working trip"

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Confiscation of Russian assets by Estonia for transfer to Ukraine is theft — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin stressed that Russia considers this "a violation of international law"

Law on new rules of mobilization comes into force in Ukraine

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The leaders of Russia and China also expressed their intention "to boost Afghanistan-related partner interaction both at the bilateral level and on multilateral platforms"

Russia takes control of more land than Ukraine in 2023 counteroffensive — newspaper

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Russia to view seizure of its property as robbery — Russian MFA on Estonia’s move

Maria Zakharova added that "the Western puppeteers exploit the Baltic countries as a 'testing ground' to test the waters concerning various kinds of anti-Russian ideas"

Starlink’s failure helps Russian army take Kiev forces by surprise in Kharkov Region — WP

In addition, Ukrainian forces were facing ammunition shortages due to a stalled US aid package

Assassination attempt on Slovak PM Fico was planned in advance — defense minister

It is reported that doctors are doing everything possible to stabilize the patient

Russian stocks close in the green on Friday

The dollar edged down by 0.02% to 90.95 rubles, while the euro decreased by 0.13% to 98.74 rubles

Born out of love: Putin hears heartwarming tale of panda Katyusha’s birth

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London blacklists two Russian companies, one firm from North Korea

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Russia has no plans today to seize Kharkov, says Putin

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Orban sees link between attack on pro-peace Fico, war preparations in West

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