MOSCOW (Sputnik) – There is no certainty that anti-corruption measures against the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) would work, Honorary President of the International Association of Sports Law James Nafziger told Sputnik.
"It is extremely difficult to effectively apply sanctions against large-scale corruption within an essentially private, closed organization such as FIFA, especially in the context of corruption and clandestine politics," Nafziger said on Thursday.
According to Nafziger, the US investigation into the corruption scheme was "very expensive and time-consuming."
Seven of the defendants were arrested in Zurich, Switzerland just days ahead of FIFA presidential elections scheduled for Friday.
The corruption scandal prompted numerous calls for the vote to be postponed.
FIFA President Joseph "Sepp" Blatter, employed in this position since 1998, and current FIFA Vice President for Asia, Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan, are the two candidates vying for FIFA presidency.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated the United States is attempting to block the reelection of Blatter, which he described as a crude breach in the principles and functioning of international organizations.
It signifies yet another attempt by Washington, Putin added, to spread its jurisdiction to other countries by initiating the arrests on Wednesday of seven high-ranking FIFA officials in Switzerland.
Blatter has been a vocal supporter of Russia hosting the 2018 World Cup in football. In April 2015, Blatter told Putin that politicians who are dissatisfied with Russia hosting the World Cup can stay home while Russia holds the "biggest" football tournament ever.
