13.10.2017 19:28 h

FIFA corruption scandal timeline

Key dates in the FIFA corruption scandal, which resurfaced this week with accusations against PSG chairman and beIN Media chief Nasser al-Khelaifi and ex-FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke over World Cup media rights:

+ May 27: Police raid a Zurich hotel on the eve of the FIFA congress and arrest seven officials, including two FIFA vice presidents. They are among 14 wanted by US prosecutors over $150 million bribery allegations, including claims of buying and selling votes for South Africa to get the 2010 World Cup.

+ May 29: The 79-year-old Sepp Blatter is re-elected for a fifth term as FIFA president.

+ June 2: With the corruption storm still raging, Blatter says he will stand aside after a new election.

+ Sept 17: FIFA suspends secretary general Jerome Valcke, Blatter's right-hand man, over claims about selling World Cup tickets at inflated prices.

+ Sept 25: Switzerland opens criminal proceedings against Blatter on suspicion he misappropriated funds and violated his duties to FIFA by making a "disloyal payment" of $2 million (1.8 million euros) to UEFA head Michel Platini. Platini, who wants to succeed Blatter at FIFA, says the money was a legitimate payment and he has done nothing wrong.

+ Oct 8: FIFA suspends Blatter, Platini and Valcke for 90 days.

+ Dec 3: As FIFA's executive committee meets to discuss reforms -- minus the suspended Blatter and Platini -- two "high-ranking" FIFA officials are detained at a luxury Zurich hotel on suspicion of taking kickbacks for selling football marketing rights in Latin America.

+ Dec 21: Blatter and Platini banned for eight years from all football-related activity by FIFA.

+ Jan 13: Valcke sacked by FIFA.

+ Feb 16: Valcke banned for 12 years from football by FIFA.

+ Feb 24: FIFA's appeals court reduces Blatter and Platini bans to six years.

+ Feb 26: Gianni Infantino, Platini's righthand man at UEFA, elected to replace Blatter as FIFA president.

+ May 9: Platini's ban cut from six to four years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

+ May 23: FIFA's caretaker secretary general Markus Kattner charged over a multi-million dollar secret bonus scheme.

+ June 3: FIFA reveal Blatter, Valcke and Kattner skimmed off $80 million in "a coordinated effort to enrich themselves through annual salary increases, World Cup bonuses and other incentives" over previous five years, say FIFA.

+ July 5: Valcke's ban reduced from 12 to 10 years by FIFA.

+ Oct 11: Valcke appears before CAS in Lausanne to appeal his 10-year ban.

+ Oct 12: Swiss prosecutors announce a criminal investigation against PSG and beIN Media chief Nasser al-Khelaifi and Valcke over World Cup media rights.

+ Oct 13: Italian police accuse Khelaifi of placing a Sardinian villa at Valcke's disposal. PSG's Qatari chairman is said to have used the property in Porto Cervo as a "means of corruption" over the sale of media rights for upcoming World Cups between 2018-30.