Interpol Red Alert For Arrest Of Ex-FIFA Execs

Interpol has issued a red notice for two former FIFA officials - as reports claimed that outgoing president Sepp Blatter is being investigated by US authorities probing the body's corruption scandal.

Mr Blatter shocked football when he announced his resignation on Tuesday , just days after being re-elected for a fifth term as the head of world football's governing body.

Sources familiar with the probe have told US broadcaster ABC News that Mr Blatter is being investigated by FBI and US prosecutors.

In addition, several US officials speaking on condition of anonymity told the New York Times they are hoping to build a case against Mr Blatter by earning the co-operation of some of the officials who have already been indicted over alleged bribes worth more than $150m (£98m).

A source told ABC: "Now that people are going to want to save themselves, there's probably a race to see who will flip on (Blatter) first."

The Swiss authorities have said Mr Blatter is not a part of their enquiries, and the 79-year-old has always denied any wrongdoing.

When contacted by Sky News, FIFA refused to comment on the US reports, as did the US Justice Department and FBI.

Interpol has issued 'red notices' for two former FIFA officials and four corporate executives for charges including racketeering conspiracy and corruption.

The six include ex-FIFA vice president Jack Warner, from Trinidad and Tobago, and Paraguayan Nicolás Leoz, who was previously a FIFA executive committee member.

The others are Alejandro Burzaco, Hugo Jinkis and Mariano Jinkis, from Argentina, and José Margulies, also known as José Lazaro, from Brazil.

Interpol uses red notices to inform member countries that an arrest warrant has been issued and means those named risk arrest anywhere they travel.

As part of the US investigation, seven FIFA officials were also arrested in Zurich last Wednesday, sparking the worst crisis in the organisation's history.

Mr Blatter announced his resignation at a hastily arranged news conference on Tuesday, saying he would leave within months and called for a new election to appoint his successor.

One official said the election of a replacement might not take place until at least December.

In the interim period, Mr Blatter promised to "focus on driving far-reaching, fundamental reforms that transcend our previous efforts".

Sponsors who raised concerns over the allegations responded positively to Mr Blatter's resignation, as did his critics, who had called on him to go before Friday's presidential vote.

As speculation continues as to who will replace Mr Blatter, UEFA's executive committee is preparing to meet to discuss the crisis ahead of European football's showpiece match - the Champions League Final in Berlin on Saturday.

Michel Platini, the head of European football's governing body, has been mentioned as a possible FIFA president.

Meanwhile, FIFA has denied that Mr Blatter's right-hand man, secretary general Jerome Valcke, was implicated in a $10m payment relating to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The South African Football Association has dismissed the allegations as "baseless and untested".

And it has also emerged that the testimony of former FIFA executive Chuck Blazer is expected to be released.

Blazer, nicknamed "Mr 10%", reportedly helped investigators after being approached by authorities over large unpaid tax bills.

A US judge has approved the release of the transcript from the 2013 hearing in which Mr Blazer pleaded guilty to corruption charges.