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FOOTBALL

Swiss prosecutor cleared in ‘FIFA gifts’ probe

A Swiss magistrate investigating allegations of corrupt links between a Swiss regional prosecutor and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino and has closed his investigation, clearing him of any suspicion.

Swiss prosecutor cleared in 'FIFA gifts' probe
FIFA president Gianni Infantino. File photo: AFP

The special prosecutor appointed late last year concluded that gifts that Rinaldo Arnold, received were not aimed at influencing his work, said a statement from his office. Arnold is a prosecutor in the southern canton of Valais.

Arnold had been suspected of receiving the gifts from FIFA chief Infantino, which included match tickets, in return for favours, said the statement. The case was closed on April 10th.

The investigation was launched last year as a result of “Football Leaks”, a cross-border investigation by several European news organisations based on a massive leak of hacked data in 2016.

Rui Pinto, a Portuguese hacker linked to the leaks, is being held in Portugal awaiting trial there on charges of “aggravated attempted extortion” and data theft. If convicted he could face up to 10 years in prison.

READ ALSO: Swiss watchdog criticises Credit Suisse over Fifa money laundering

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RACISM

VIDEO: Spain’s La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

Spain's La Liga on Monday said it was reviewing a video of a child making racist insults towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend.

VIDEO: Spain's La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

“We’re in the process of studying and analysing the facts from a legal standpoint to see what we can and should do,” La Liga sources said.

In a video published by a journalist for ESPN Brasil, and picked up by Spanish media, a boy sitting in a woman’s lap can be heard calling Vinicius a “monkey”.

The Brazilian scored twice for Madrid as his team recovered from two goals down at Mestalla on Saturday.

Vinicius raised his fist in a “Black Power” salute after the first of his two goals at a ground where he was racially abused last season. Valencia subsequently banned three people from the stadium for life.

The 23-year-old has become a symbol of the fight against discrimination in Spanish football after suffering racist abuse on many occasions, and he was jeered repeatedly by home supporters on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle against Valencia for protesting after the referee blew the final whistle right before the England midfielder headed home what he thought was the winning goal.

READ ALSO: Football star Vinicius highlights racist behaviour from Spanish fans

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