FIFA head Joseph Blatter's lawyer, Richard Cullen, said that his client did not abuse his powers, as stated by the Swiss prosecutor's office, reports Reuters .

According to Cullen, FIFA's 2005 contract with the Caribbean Football Union, which Swiss law enforcement officials are referring to, "was properly prepared and discussed" by relevant FIFA staff.

Cullen added that Blatter is cooperating with the investigation.

Earlier on Friday, Swiss prosecutors announced that Joseph Blatter had become a defendant in a criminal case . The investigation suspects him of making an improper payment in 2011, transferring 2 million Swiss francs to the current head of UEFA, Michel Platini, for work that Platini performed from 1999 to 2002.

Also, according to the Swiss prosecutor's office, in September 2005 Blatter signed a contract that was unfavorable for FIFA with the Caribbean Football Union, which was then led by Jack Warner, who to this day remained the main person involved in the scandal in FIFA. The investigation believes that in implementing the contract, Blatter violated his duties and acted against the interests of FIFA.

FIFA headquarters and Blatter's office were searched today, documents and data were seized. Blatter was questioned after a meeting of FIFA's executive committee. Investigators also interviewed Platini.

The FIFA corruption scandal began in late spring 2015. American law enforcement officials accused a number of high-ranking FIFA officials of extortion and fraud; at the request of the American side, seven of them were arrested. In total, 14 people are involved in the case. According to the investigation, over the past 25 years, the amount of corruption in the top management of FIFA amounted to $150 million.

On May 29, Blatter was re-elected as head of FIFA, but due to a corruption scandal he was forced to announce his resignation from this post. He remains the head of the organization until a new leader is chosen.

Former FIFA vice-president and head of the Caribbean football organization Jack Warner, with whom Blatter, according to investigators, entered into an illegal deal, is one of the main defendants in the investigation. US authorities suspect him of receiving $10 million for South Africa's eventual selection as host country for the 2010 World Cup.

Lawyer commented on the criminal case against the head of FIFA