Putin Rips US Over FIFA Arrests

It appears that the U.S. inspired arrests of FIFA members for bribery,almost all of which has zero to do with the United States, may be just more U.S. harassment of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

CNN reports on Putin's take:

British Prime Minister David Cameron [[has] called for an end to Sepp Blatter's presidency at FIFA.

 Along with the 2016 Winter Olympics in Sochi, the upcoming World Cup was supposed to be one of the crown moments for Putin during his second stint in office.

Russia got the 2018 tournament despite "pressure" on Blatter to prevent it from happening, Putin said -- suggesting that's one reason U.S. authorities went after his organization. (Along with being at odds with Russia on numerous world issues, the United States bid unsuccessfully for the 2022 World Cup.)

Calling it "strange" that U.S. authorities are charging FIFA officials even though that organization is based in Switzerland, Putin hinted that something more nefarious was at play.

"This is yet another obvious attempt to spread their jurisdiction to other (countries)," he said, referring to the United States...

Putin mentioned Blatter, who is seeking a fifth term during a scheduled vote Friday, saying he has "no doubt that this is obviously an attempt to prevent Mr. Blatter's re-election (as) FIFA president."

The Russian President then invoked the name of a man who -- unlike Blatter -- has been charged by U.S. authorities: Edward Snowden. The former National Security Agency contractor faces espionage charges for leaking confidential material online. He's not in U.S. custody, though, having been granted temporary asylum by Russia.

"Our American partners use their own methods for their ulterior purposes," Putin said, noting leaks by Snowden and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange about American spying methods. "They are illegally persecuting people. I do not rule out the possibility that the same goes for this situation with FIFA."

  -RW