Rousseff: Brazil ready to collaborate over FIFA graft probe

Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff gestures during a news conference in Mexico City, May 27, 2015. Rousseff on Wednesday called for all soccer tournaments and activities to be investigated after US and Swiss authorities announced separate inquiries into the activities of the game's powerful governing body, FIFA. [Photo/Agencies]

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil President Dilma Rousseff said Wednesday her country was ready to collaborate with Swiss and US authorities over their probe into football corruption.

Swiss police arrested seven officials from football's governing body FIFA on Wednesday for alleged fraud, racketeering and money laundering over 24 years.

Among those detained was Jose Maria Marin, the president of the Brazilian football federation (CBF) from March 2012 to April this year.

"I believe that any investigation into this matter is very important," Rousseff told reporters during an official visit to Mexico.

"It will allow for greater professionalism in football. I don't see how it can be of detriment to football in Brazil. It will only be of benefit."

Rousseff said she was not aware of any request to assist authorities in their investigations so far.

"We have an agreement with the US attorney's office and the department of justice to collaborate systematically when necessary," she added.

Others arrested in Zurich were Jeffrey Webb, Eduardo Li, Julio Rocha, Costas Takkas, Rafael Esquivel and Eugenio Figueredo.

Those detained did not include Sepp Blatter, who is favorite to be reelected for a fifth term as FIFA president on Friday.