On May 27, 2015, Swiss authorities arrested seven FIFA officials at a luxury Zurich hotel in a dramatic early-morning raid that would expose the largest corruption scandal in sports history. THE ARRESTS The operation, coordinated between US and Swiss authorities, targeted: • Multiple FIFA Executive Committee members • Marketing executives • Regional football confederation leaders • Sports marketing company representatives THE CHARGES US prosecutors detailed decades of corruption including: • Bribes totaling more than $150 million • Kickbacks for World Cup and Copa América broadcasting rights • Vote-buying in hosting decisions • Money laundering through US financial institutions KEY FIGURES CHARGED The indictment named numerous high-profile figures: • Jack Warner - Former FIFA Vice President • Jeffrey Webb - Then-CONCACAF President • Nicolás Leoz - Former CONMEBOL President • Multiple sports marketing executives SEPP BLATTER'S FALL Though not initially charged, FIFA President Sepp Blatter: • Resigned days after his re-election • Was subsequently banned by FIFA's Ethics Committee • Faced criminal investigation in Switzerland • Denied personal wrongdoing THE AFTERMATH The scandal led to: • Major reforms in FIFA governance • New transparency requirements • Term limits for FIFA officials • Enhanced oversight mechanisms The case remains a watershed moment for sports governance globally, demonstrating that even the most powerful sporting organizations are not above the law.