FIFA on Wednesday (Mar 16) demanded tens of millions of dollars in damages from the “sordid” officials now facing charges in the United States over mass bribery scandals that have rocked world football.

In a legal submission to US authorities, football’s governing body also openly accused South Africa of paying a US$10 million bribe to secure votes for the 2010 World Cup. South Africa has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

FIFA said it “estimates that at a minimum tens of millions of dollars were diverted from the football community illegally through bribery, kickbacks and corrupt schemes carried out by the defendants”.

It is seeking the damages from money seized by US authorities from 39 individuals and two companies facing corruption charges.

Source AFP / REUTERS