Sixteen officials indicted as Fifa crisis rumbles on
The US authorities have charged 16 additional Fifa officials with fraud and money laundering offences, bringing the total number of individuals and entities charged to date up to 41.
Washington’s Department of Justice (DoJ) released the names of the officials – all from the CONCACAF and CONMEBOL confederations – following the arrest of their respective presidents Alfredo Hawit and Juan Angel Napout yesterday morning (3 December).
The group includes CONCACAF’s Ariel Alvarado, Rafael Callejas, Brayan Jimenez, Rafael Salguero, Hector Trujillo and Reynaldo Vasquez, as well as CONMEBOL’s Manuel Burga, Carlos Chavez, Luis Chiriboga, Marco Polo del Nero, Eduardo Deluca, Jose Luis Meiszner, Romer Osuna and Ricardo Teixeira.
They make up part of the 27 indicted defendants alleged to have “engaged in a number of schemes designed to solicit and receive well over US$200m (£132m, €184m) in bribes and kickbacks”.
Fifa said it was would “fully co-operate” with the authorities through their investigations.
According to the DoJ, the new charges brings the total number of individuals and entities charged up to 41 since the investigation was opened in May, with 12 individuals and two sports marketing companies agreeing to pay US$190m (£126m, €175m) in forfeiture after being convicted.
The “superseding 92-count” indictment, including those of the 16 new defendants, allege “various criminal activities including fraud, bribery and money laundering” from 1991 through to the present day.
The new allegations refer specifically to a series of bribery schemes in connection with Fifa World Cup Qualifiers and international friendly matches involving six Central American member associations; a bribery scheme relating to the sale of broadcasting rights to the Copa Libertadores; and a scheme by an Argentine sports marketing company to obtain various rights by paying bribes to three Central American football officials.
In addition, the DoJ revealed that eight of the defendants had pleaded guilty, agreeing to forfeit more than US$40m (£26m, €37m).
These include co-founder of International Soccer Marketing, Zorana Danis; former chief executive of Traffic Sports USA, Fabio Tordin; former CONMEBOL vice president Luis Bedoya; Argentine sports marketer, Alejandro Burzaco; chief executive of Media World, Roger Huguet; former Fifa vice president Jeffrey Webb; former CONMEBOL vice president Sergio Jadue; Jose Marguiles, controlling principal of Valente Corp.
Attorney general Lynch said the DoJ was “committed to ending the rampant corruption we have alleged amidst the leadership of international soccer”.
“The message from this announcement should be clear to every culpable individual who remains in the shadows, hoping to evade our investigation: You will not wait us out. You will not escape our focus,” she added.
The investigation continues.
Fifa approves reforms package centred around financial transparency
Two further 'high-ranking' Fifa officials arrested over bribery allegations
FIFA executives arrested over fraud and corruption charges
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
