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SEVEN of the governing body’s officials were arrested in Zurich on May 27 on corruption charges by United States authorities and face extradition. Fifa president Sepp Blatter is not among those who have been indicted. But the 79-year-old would be more vulnerable to an extradition request if he left his native Switzerland.He would have protection from extradition from his homeland because Article 7 of IMAC (the governing Swiss law) prohibits the extradition of Swiss nationals.

Since the corruption charges Blatter’s only official trip abroad has been to Russia for the World Cup qualifying draw in St Petersburg in late July. A Fifa spokeswoman confirmed the venue change was under discussion but gave no reason for its debate. Blatter won a fifth consecutive Fifa presidential election on May 29 but following claims of corruption announced his decision to step down on June 2.

He will leave the role at a Fifa extraordinary congress on February 26.

The agenda for the congress will be approved by Blatter’s executive panel in a two-day meeting in Zurich later this week. — BBC Sport