FIFA officials 'arrested in Switzerland on corruption charges'

Several FIFA executives have reportedly been arrested in Switzerland on corruption charges ahead of the presidential election.

According to the New York Times, more than a dozen plainclothes Swiss officers visited the five-star Baur au Lac hotel to make the arrests on Wednesday morning.

The report claims that the authorities want to speak to 10 FIFA officials, not all of whom are in Zurich, regarding allegations of money laundering, wire fraud and racketeering in relation to World Cup bids and marketing and broadcast deals.

According to AP, six officials have been arrested by police on suspicion of receiving or paying millions in bribes.

It is believed that officers intend to extradite those arrested to the United States, and president Sepp Blatter, who is widely expected to win a fifth term, has not been charged.

The FIFA presidency is due to be elected on Friday.