Seven top officials were arrested in Zurich on Wednesday, among a group of 14 people indicted.

The European body, Uefa, is to meet later to decide whether to boycott Friday's vote for the presidency.

Fifa on Wednesday announced a provisional banfrom football-related activity on 11 of the people involved in the US prosecution.

But it said Friday's vote - in which Fifa president Sepp Blatter is seeking a fifth term - would go ahead.

Mr Blatter, who has not been named in the investigations, issued a statement on the US case, saying: "Such misconduct has no place in football and we will ensure that those who engage in it are put out of the game."

Swiss prosecutors have also opened a separate investigation into the bidding process for the World Cup tournaments in 2018 in Russia and 2022 in Qatar.

'Highest standards'

Fifa's key sponsors, including Adidas, Coca-Cola, Visa, Sony, Gazprom and Hyundai/KIA have faced increasing calls to put pressure on Fifa as corruption allegations have mounted.

Reacting to Wednesday's events, Coca-Cola said: "This lengthy controversy has tarnished the mission and ideals of the Fifa World Cup and we have repeatedly expressed our concerns about these serious allegations."

Adidas said it was "fully committed to creating a culture that promotes the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we expect the same from our partners".

Budweiser issued a similar statement.

McDonald's, a second-tier sponsor, said the latest developments were "extremely concerning" and that it was in contact with Fifa and was closely monitoring the situation.

Cobus de Swardt, managing director of campaigning group Transparency International, told Associated Press: "If you are putting many, many millions of euros into a business, then you definitely have a right and responsibility to demand that you are not tainted."

Fifa's main sponsors are afforded exposure in stadiums and have the right to use Fifa trademarks in advertising.

Mr Blatter also received a stinging rebuke from Uefa.

The European football governing body said the events were "a disaster for Fifa and tarnish the image of football as a whole".

It said corruption was deeply rooted in Fifa's culture.

(BBC News)