Federal police in Brazil have initiated investigations into possible FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) corruption.

As reported by the BBC, Justice Minister Eduardo Cardozo said the authorities were delving into acts of tax evasion and money laundering that might have taken place in Brazil.

According to a CNN piece, on Wednesday the U.S. Justice Department opened up a 47-count indictment that detailed charges made against 14 individuals who have been accused of racketeering, wire fraud, as well as money laundering.

News of possible FIFA corruption has had immediate effects in Latin America.

After accusations were made by the Unites States against Eduardo Li, the head of Costa Rica's football association, Costa Rica opened up an inquiry into possible misconduct. And in Argentina a judge has issued warrants for the arrest of three local businessmen who are wanted by the U.S.

Regarding the corruption investigation of FIFA, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has optimistically stated that football in her country "will only benefit" from any inquiry.

On Wednesday, Jose Maria Marin, former president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, was arrested in Switzerland on corruption charges. The Brazilian Football Confederation has gone ahead and removed his name from the facade of its Rio de Janeiro headquarters.

As reported by ESPN FC, Romário, a former Brazilian soccer star turned federal senator, has called Jose Mario Marin "one of the biggest thieves" in the sports world.

"Many of the corrupt people and thieves who do harm to football were arrested. Including one of the country's largest, named Jose Maria Marin. He's one of the rats I've been denouncing for a long time. This was the man next to President Dilma [Rousseff] and received heads of state at World Cup gatherings," said Romario, a former FIFA world player of the year.

"Unfortunately, it wasn't our police that arrested them."