Police State

The timing of the FIFA arrests right before the organization's presidential election was obviously designed to oust long-time president as Putin says.

"He sees it as punishment for continuing to support Russia as host for the 2018 World Cup.
There have been increasing calls to strip Moscow of that privilege, in protest at military action in Ukraine.
"We know the pressure that was exerted on him [Blatter] with the aim of banning the 2018 World Cup in Russia," Mr Putin said on Thursday, offering Fifa's embattled leader his firm backing.
He then accused the United States of mounting a campaign to "persecute" Sepp Blatter for resisting."

I wouldn't doubt it. Blatter was re-elected anyway.