'Embattled' Blatter faces criminal proceedings over alleged corruption charges

Swiss prosecutors have opened criminal proceedings against FIFA president Sepp Blatter in the latest development in the ongoing corruption scandal that has plunged the world football's governing body into an unprecedented crisis.

According to the Guardian, the office of the Swiss attorney general said it had opened proceedings against Blatter 'on suspicion of criminal mismanagement' and 'suspicion of misappropriation' after searching his office and seizing his computer.

In addition, UEFA counterpart Michel Platini was questioned over the claims that he received a 'disloyal payment' of two million Swiss francs from the FIFA's embattled president in 2011.

Platini is considered the favourite to succeed Blatter as FIFA president during next year's election.

Earlier, Blatter had to step down from the helm amidst an investigation into corruption charges after he was re-elected for a fifth term in May.

FIFA's reputation has been severely tarnished after 14 sports marketing executives and football officials, including several from Zurich-based FIFA, were indicted by the United States in late May over corruption charges.

Meanwhile, Swiss prosecutors have been investigating the bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, won by Russia and Qatar respectively after disgraced former FIFA executive member Chuck Blazer admitted of accepting bribes for choosing countries to play hosts for the World Cups.