Switzerland: Calm before the storm at FIFA HQ as Sepp Blatter faces criminal charges

The situation at the FIFA HQ in Zurich was calm on Saturday, after Swiss authorities had announced to open a criminal investigation against FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Friday. The FIFA head will be charged on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and embezzlement of funds. Blatter is accused of having violated his fiduciary duties by signing contracts with the Carribean Football Union in 2005, that were "unfavourable" for FIFA, and of making disloyal payments of CHF 2 million (€1.8 million; $2.01 million) to Michel Platini, President of the European Football Associations (UEFA). The president, who has dominated the sport's governing body for 17 years, has been under pressure since a corruption crisis hit the organisation in May 2015.