A scary moment added to an already tense atmosphere in Zurich, Switzerland.
Police say a bomb threat was made Friday morning at the venue of the FIFA Congress, where international soccer’s governing body planned to hold its presidential election later in the day.
The anonymous threat was made via telephone at around 11 a.m. local time, according to police. Hallenstadion’s concert hall auditorium was cleared, but the rest of the building wasn’t evacuated.
“An anonymous threat against the FIFA congress was received,” FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke told reporters, via SI.com. “A search was carried out. The premises have been cleared by the authorities.”
The congress resumed its meeting after the threat.
Incumbent Sepp Blatter is seeking his fifth consecutive term as FIFA president. Blatter and the organization have come under fire after widespread arrests of FIFA officials were made Wednesday.
Jordan’s Prince Ali bin al-Hussein will run against Blatter and will have the vote of USA Soccer, but Blatter still is expected to be re-elected.
Thumbnail photo via Walter Bieri/Keystone via Associated Press
