Teixeira to be investigated for money laundering by Brazilian prosecutor's office

By Andrew Warshaw

September 26 – Ricardo Teixeira, head of the Organising Committee for the 2014 World Cup who only two months ago described English journalists as corrupt, is reportedly to be investigated for alleged money laundering and tax crimes.

According to The Associated Press, Brazilian police will be ordered to launch an inquiry to find out whether Teixeira, head of the country’s Football Association (CBF), illegally transferred money into Brazil.

Teixeira, the most powerful figure in Brazilian soccer who has had a long-running feud with Pele, the country’s greatest footballing icon, is accused of taking kickbacks from FIFA’s former marketing partner ISL in the 1990s.

Last year, just before the vote for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, the BBC accused Teixeira of being one of three high-profile FIFA Executive Committe members involved in corruption.

The alleged backhanders, it said, dated from 1989 to 1999.

FIFA later dismissed the allegations while Teixeira denied any wrongdoing.

But according to AP, the prosecutor’s office has now confirmed that a request to have police look into the money transfer will be made in the next few days, re-opening the whole saga.

It said in a statement that Teixeira will be investigated for money laundering and tax crimes in a case that could take months.

Teixeira has been a constant figure of controversy inside and outside Brazil.

In May, he was accused of unethical conduct by former English Football Association chairman Lord Triesman over the bidding process for the 2018 World Cup.

Inevitably, however, he has gained the backing of his national federation.

“There is always some kind of accusation against him, but they are never able to prove anything because he didn’t do anything wrong,” said Rodrigo Paiva, the CBF’s spokesman.

“Teixeira has never been convicted of anything anywhere.”

Maybe not but if the latest twist proves Teixeira guilty, it will do considerable damage to FIFA’s already flagging reputation as well as the 2014 World Cup organisation.

Only two months ago, during the 2014 preliminary draw in Rio de Janeiro, Teixeira clashed with English reporters, calling them “corrupt” after being asked to comment on allegations that he was the one who had to answer claims of corruption.

The spat was fuelled by Teixeira describing the English as “pirates” and vowing to “make their lives hell” at 2014.

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