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Swiss MP Roland Buechel calls Interpol's agreement with FIFA 'a conflict of interest'

A logo at the newly completed Interpol Global Complex for Innovation building
Image: Interpol: Conflict of interest with FIFA, says Buechel

Swiss MP Roland Buechel has called Interpol's 20m-euro agreement with FIFA 'a huge conflict of interest.'

On Friday, the international policing organisation suspended a 'sports integrity' agreement with FIFA as bribery allegations against the football governing body mount up.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Buechel said of the situation between the two parties: "It's a huge conflict of interest. It's not only that they gave them the money but that they're still giving. The contract lasts 10 years. Maybe 12. I don't know exactly how much.

"They're still being paid and Interpol has now understood that the conflict of interest was too big, so they've stopped the contract.

"I've heard that at the Interpol office building in Singapore, one part of it is called 'the FIFA wing' for the match-fixing and other problems in Malaysia and Singapore. I have that information and I think it's true.

"I don't know whether it's clearly marked 'the FIFA wing' but it's called 'the FIFA wing', that's for sure.

"One thing that has already been done, last week. The Swiss parliament decided last week that private corruption will be a criminal offence. The so-called 'FIFA law' will be enforced quite soon.

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"I don't really doubt that it will change. There is not so much to be done in this field but we will have to watch what they're doing and take action, as we have been doing for the last two or three years.

"Of course, people try to contact me but I do what I want to do. Some lobbys try to contact me and I was talking to them with no effect whatsoever. We have to keep doing and if they keep going like this, we'll have to take away their association status, which is the core of the problem we are having.

"People are always asking me but I don't think anybody should fear for their safety. Some people do but I personally am not."

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