Prosecutor issues charges linked to 2001 collapse of FIFA marketing partner

GENEVA (AP) -- A Swiss prosecutor has charged unidentified individuals in connection with the collapse of FIFA's former marketing partner.

The charges against those allegedly responsible for the 2001 demise of the ISL/ISMM group include embezzlement, fraud, fraudulent bankruptcy, damaging creditors and falsification of documents, Marc von Dach, prosecutor for the Swiss canton (state) of Zug, said Wednesday.

Von Dach told The Associated Press the indictment solely concerned employees at ISL or its parent group ISMM -- which had owned the television and marketing rights to the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

No current or former FIFA officials were under investigation, said von Dach, who presented the court with a 228-page indictment on Feb. 19. He declined to say who or how many people were being charged, citing strict Swiss privacy laws.

He said in a statement that criminal mishandling amounted to more than $81.9 million.

Updated on Wednesday, Mar 7, 2007 12:29 pm EST