Putin Denounces The U.S. For 'Illegally' Persecuting FIFA Officials

CNN: FIFA scandal: Putin accuses U.S. of 'illegally persecuting people'

(CNN)Leaders worldwide are playing football with the game of football -- specifically, its powerful and polarizing governing body, FIFA. And, as in a tough match, things are getting testy.

The comments and calls for action Thursday come a day after U.S. authorities announced the indictment against 14 soccer officials and sports marketing executives in a corruption investigation, and the opening of a Swiss investigation into possible shenanigans related to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids that went to Russia and Qatar, respectively.

Some, like British Prime Minister David Cameron, have called for an end to Sepp Blatter's presidency at FIFA.

WNU Editor: Putin is seeing everything an a U.S. - vs. Russian prism .... but he is wrong. If you use U.S. Banks and/or work with U.S. citizens to commit a crime .... you are in trouble .... that is what FIFA officials are now facing. But the biggest impact will be on its sponsors. If these indictments hold and if the evidence of these crimes and bribes are made public in its entirety .... the damage on the brand will be huge .... and as a soccer fan .... this is deeply disappointing.

More News On Putin Denouncing The U.S. For 'Illegally' Persecuting FIFA Officials

Putin accuses US of meddling into FIFA affairs -- AP
Vladimir Putin Denounces U.S. Over FIFA Arrests -- New York Times
Vladimir Putin Accuses U.S. Over Pursuit of FIFA Executives -- WSJ
Putin accuses U.S. of meddling in soccer -- USA Today

Update: For more on the arrests and what FIFA is now facing, the following CNN report sums it up (see below).