Here's How the U.S. Was Able to Charge International Soccer Officials

The United States government rocked the world of international soccer on Wednesday by announcing charges of corruption against several high-ranking FIFA officials. The charges — which name 14 powerful FIFA officials and sports marketing executives, and include allegations of racketeering, wire fraud and money-laundering. Though FIFA is a global operation, the U.S. charged the officials and executives with violating U.S. banking laws. U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said at a press conference on Wednesday, “All of these defendants abused the U.S. financial system and violated U.S. law, and we intend to hold them accountable." Bribes were often funneled through the U.S. banking system, Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly Currie said. According to The New York Times, the Department of Justice is able to bring charges against FIFA officials and marketing executives in much the same way it can bring charges against a suspect in a case of international terrorism. If a suspected criminal has any link to the United States, the U.S. may have authority to charge them with a crime.