The FBI's investigation of soccer governing body FIFA includes scrutiny of how the organisation awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 competition to Qatar, a US law enforcement official has confirmed.
The official, who spoke under the promise of anonymity, said the review of the awards to host the tournament would be part of a probe that is looking beyond the allegations in an indictment announced a week ago of officials of world soccer's governing body.
Swiss prosecutors said then that they were investigating the 2018 and 2022 bids.
Among issues the FBI is examining is the stewardship of FIFA by its long-time president Sepp Blatter, who yesterday unexpectedly announced his plan to resign.
Meanwhile, Mr Blatter is being investigated by US prosecutors and the FBI, according to reports in US media.
The New York Times and ABC News reported that they have been told by an unnamed source that Mr Blatter is under investigation.
The 79-year-old yesterday unexpectedly announced he is standing down as FIFA president yesterday just days after his controversial re-election for a fifth term.
Mr Blatter has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
FIFA did not respond to a request for comment on him being under investigation.
The US Justice Department and the US Attorney's office had no immediate comment.
The office of the Swiss Attorney General, which is investigating alleged criminal mismanagement and money laundering at FIFA, said Mr Blatter's resignation would have no effect on its proceedings.
It also said Mr Blatter himself was not subject to its investigation.
Subject: FBI to probe awarding of 2018 and 2022 World Cups 
