By Paul Nicholson
July 20 – Jeffrey Webb, the former CONCACAF president and FIFA vice president arrested with six others in Zurich at the end of May, pleaded not guilty on Saturday to charges that he had solicited bribes in return for the award of marketing rights to CONCACAF football properties.
Webb was initially held for 43 days in Zurich before agreeing to be extradited to the US, arriving in New York last Thursday. The arraignment took place in the United States District Court in Brooklyn.
Webb was granted bail in a complicated $10 million deal that involves security over 10 properties owned by himself, his wife and other family members, three cars and expensive watches and jewelry.
The way the bond has been thrown together perhaps indicates that he is not quite the big fish the US justice department are looking to hook in their crusade to clean-up football worldwide. In comparison, Brazilian Jose Hawilla, sports marketing agency Traffic’s principal, has agreed to forfeit over $150 million with $25 million being paid immediately in the deal he cut with the FBI.
The bail conditions for Webb confine him to house arrest in a residence not more than 20 miles from the Brooklyn courthouse. He has to wear an electronic tag and is under supervision from FBI-approved guards.
Webb is not allowed to have any contact with anyone on the list of accused co-conspirators in the US Department of Justice indictment, or other international soccer officials.
He has surrendered his passport, as has his wife who is a US citizen.
The next court appearance for Webb is scheduled for August 17 in Brooklyn.
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