ZURICH: FIFA has not been as helpful to Swiss investigators into its business activities as had been suggested initially writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

The office of Attorney-General Michael Lauber has finally obtained access to the emails of suspended secretary-general Jerome Valcke but only after submitting a formal request in no uncertain terms.

The fact that FIFA had held back on cooperation with the authorities came as a surprise after earlier comments that it had handed over everything necessary to the investigators whose inquiries have expanded from the initial focus on the 2018-2022 World Cup bid process.

Lauber, at a news conference in Zurich last week, had made a point of commenting that some records were still “under seal.” This was thought to be a veiled reference to documents and files held by FIFA and considered highly confidential.

Since then Valcke, FIFA’s No2, was ‘relieved of his duties’ after allegations concerning his involvement with an agency operating in the secondary ticket market fro the World Cup. Valcke has denied any wrongdoing.

Late Thursday Lauber’s office confirmed: “FIFA informed the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland to unseal all email accounts belonging to Mr. Jerome Valcke, suspended Secretary-General. Furthermore, the OAG is pleased to note that FIFA has handed over on its own initiative Mr. Jerome Valcke’s emails since May 2015.”

A FIFA spokesperson said: “We are committed to collaborating with the authorities and it is an ongoing process.”

FIFA confirmed it had also “delivered information” concerning JB Sports Marketing, the company at the centre of the Valcke controversy.

##########