The BBC reports that U.S. investigators have evidence that FIFA’s suspended president, Sepp Blatter, knew about $100 million in bribes that were paid to former members of world soccer’s governing body before he became president.
The report alleges that sports marketing company ISL paid a total of $100 million to FIFA officials, including Blatter’s predecessor as FIFA president, Joao Havelange, in exchange for television and marketing rights during the 1990s.
The BBC says it has seen a letter obtained by FBI investigators in which Havelange wrote that Blatter had “full knowledge of all activities” and was “always apprised” of them.
In testimony to FIFA’s ethics panel, Blatter previously maintained he was unaware of bribe payments.
Blatter was Havelange’s top deputy before taking over as FIFA president in 1998.
Blatter declined to comment on their report.
Blatter was suspended in October for 90 days by FIFA’s ethics committee over a bribery scandal. He is due to stand down in February.