Interpol suspends $22M match-fixing project with FIFA during soccer body's corruption crisis
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this May 30, 2015 file photo FIFA President Sepp Blatter, center, speaks next to Jerome Valcke, FIFA Secretary General, left, and Walter De Gregorio, Director Communications and Public Affairs, right, during a news conference following the FIFA Executive Committee meeting in Zurich, Switzerland. Soccer governing body FIFA said Thursday, June 11, 2015 that its director of public affairs Walter De Gregorio is leaving with immediate effect. (Ennio Leanza/Keystone via AP, file) (The Associated Press)
Interpol has suspended its 10-year, 20 million euro ($22.4 million) partnership with FIFA while soccer's governing body is implicated in bribery allegations.
The international police liaison group says it will "freeze the use of financial contributions from FIFA."
Interpol secretary general Juergen Stock says the decision was taken "in light of the current context surrounding FIFA."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The agreement includes a clause that FIFA must be "compatible with the principles, aims and activities of Interpol."
Last week, Interpol issued a global alert about two former FIFA officials and four marketing executives on charges including racketeering and corruption.
In May 2011, FIFA agreed to fund a 10-year program to tackle match-fixing operated from an Interpol base in Singapore.