DHAKA: Swiss prosecutors say they are investigating Sepp Blatter, the head of football’s world governing body Fifa, on suspicion of criminal mismanagement.

The attorney general’s office said he was suspected of signing a contract that was ‘unfavourable to Fifa’ and making a ‘disloyal payment’ to European football chief Michel Platini.

Blatter was being questioned, and his office was searched, it added, reports the BBC.

The 79-year-old, who has run Fifa since 1998, has always denied any wrongdoing.

Fifa, which has been hit by a string of corruption allegations in recent years, said it was co-operating with the investigation.

‘Swiss criminal proceedings against the president of Fifa, Mr Joseph Blatter, have been opened... on suspicion of criminal mismanagement... and - alternatively - misappropriation,’ the Swiss attorney general's office said in a statement.

It said Blatter was suspected of signing a contract with former Caribbean football chief Jack Warner in 2005 that was ‘unfavourable to Fifa’ and in doing so ‘violated his fiduciary duties and acted against the interest of Fifa...’

BDST: 0854 HRS, SEPT 26, 2015
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