Friday 9 September 2016 13:59, UK
FIFA has opened a formal investigation into former president Sepp Blatter, as well as two other senior officials.
Jerome Valcke and Markus Kattner will also be investigated with regards to allegations of bribery and corruption.
A press release reads: "The deputy chairman of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee, Djimbaraye Bourngar, has opened formal proceedings against Joseph Blatter, former President of FIFA, Jerome Valcke, former Secretary General of FIFA and Markus Kattner, former Acting Secretary General and Director of Finance & Corporate Services."
The statement said the chamber will investigate possible violations with regards to conflicts of interest, offering and accepting gifts and other benefits, as well as bribery and corruption "in the context of salaries and bonuses paid to Mr Blatter, Mr Valcke and Mr Kattner as well as other provisions included in the contracts of these three individuals".
The press release also announced it is to investigate a possible violation of confidentiality in connection to Kattner.
It went on: "Under the FIFA Code of Ethics, the investigatory chamber shall examine all circumstances of the cases equally.
"For reasons linked to privacy rights and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, the investigatory chamber will not publish further details at the present time."
The case is understood to be based on the salaries and bonuses the three men allegedly paid themselves at FIFA, and the alleged leaking of information about new FIFA president Gianni Infantino to the media.
Blatter was president of FIFA for almost 18 years, until leaving office in February 2016.
Blatter, now 80, has already been banned from being involved in FIFA activities for six years, while Valcke has been suspended for 10 years.
