Football: Arrests won't hit U-20 World Cup - NZ boss

New Zealand Football CEO Andy Martin says he doesn't think the latest FIFA corruption scandal will have any impact on the Under-20 World Cup which begins in New Zealand on Saturday.

FIFA has been hit by two corruption inquiries with 14 arrests made just days before the latest FIFA presidential elections. Seven FIFA officials were arrested and detained by Swiss police at the request of U.S. authorities after a raid at a luxury hotel in Zurich.

Martin, in Zurich for the annual FIFA Congress, said the developments were very serious.

"The developments in the last 24 hours are very serious and we continue to monitor the situation closely so that we can react appropriately," Martin said in a statement.

"Our delegation in Zurich are in close contact with our Executive Committee and Oceania Football and we will continue to play our role in upholding the integrity of FIFA and its operations."

Martin said the arrests and investigation shouldn't impact the World Cup on New Zealand soil.

24 teams are currently in the country for the three-week tournament which will take place over seven cities.

"New Zealand Football, together with our Local Organising Committee, remain focussed on delivering a great FIFA U-20 World Cup, starting on Saturday.

"We do not anticipate that these events will impact on the tournament. The event venues, staff and volunteers have been working hard and are ready to stage the biggest football event this country has ever seen."

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