"?FIFA has become embroiled in a fresh scandal after it emerged that former president Sepp Blatter and several other high ranking executives paid themselves around $81m worth of bonuses, the equivalent of £55m, between 2010 and 2015.
It has been revealed that Blatter, along with disgraced Secretary General Jerome Valcke, who was dismissed following a 12-year worldwide ban over a ticketing scandal, and former deputy Secretary General Markus Kattner, also fired following a separate internal investigation, paid themselves handsomely with FIFA's money over a period of four years.
A statement from Quinn Emanuel, the law firm hired by FIFA to investigate, issued the following statement on the matter:
"The evidence appears to reveal a coordinated effort by three former top officials of FIFA to enrich themselves through annual salary increases, World Cup bonuses and other incentives totalling more than CHF 79m - in just the last five years."
A statement from FIFA confirmed, "It is clear that the preliminary findings indicate that the payments and contracts warrant considerable further investigation
"FIFA has shared this information with the Office of the Swiss Attorney General and it will brief the U.S. Department of Justice on the matters as well. This is consistent with FIFA's commitment to cooperate with the authorities and FIFA's policy of zero tolerance for wrongdoing.
"The investigation has revealed evidence of breaches of fiduciary duty. It also raises questions about the role of FIFA's Compensation Sub-Committee."
World football's governing body revealed that "multiple contract amendments" had been used to "boost payments".
Spain got £18 million for winning 2010 World Cup. Blatter, Valcke & Kattner got £16m
In December 2010, Blatter, Valcke and Kattner collectively received the equivalent of around £16m in "special bonuses" for the World Cup that had taken place four months previously.
They then took payment of a further £10m in October 2011 for the World Cup in Brazil, while being made eligible for another £11m in June 2014 for the 2018 World Cup.
To continue the discussion on Twitter follow @jamiespencer155
Visit www.facebook.com/jamiespencer155
"?"?