Football: Swiss Attorney-General offers to quit after court says he lied over probe into Fifa corruption

A federal court said Mr Michael Lauber had committed several breaches of his official duties. PHOTO: AFP

ZURICH (REUTERS) - Swiss Attorney-General Michael Lauber offered on Friday (July 24) to resign, after a Swiss court concluded he lied to investigators while his office examined alleged corruption surrounding world football governing body Fifa.

"In the interests of the institutions I offer my resignation," the 54-year-old said in a statement, saying he was concerned about the reputation of the Office of the Attorney-General.

A federal court said Lauber had committed several breaches of his official duties and lied to investigators while his office examined alleged corruption in football.

He made "implausible" statements about an undisclosed meeting with Fifa president Gianni Infantino in June 2017, the Federal Administrative Court said.

But Lauber insisted he did not lie.

"However, if they (the court) do not believe me as attorney-general, then the Office of the Attorney-General will be harmed," he said.

Holding the post since 2012, Lauber already faced impeachment proceedings, while a special prosecutor is reviewing criminal complaints against him and Infantino, who has denied any wrongdoing.

A member of Switzerland's parliamentary judicial committee welcomed his decision.

"It was the best thing he could do at the moment, there were too many allegations against him," Ursula Schneider Schuettel told Reuters.

"In his position the attorney-general has to be above suspicion and it would have been damaging if he remained."

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