By Andrew Warshaw
July 30 – As FIFA prepares to put in place a raft of reforms designed to clean up the organisation in the post-Sepp Blatter era, the South American Confederation (CONMEBOL) has struck first by introducing almost identical measures.
The move comes after former CONMEBOL presidents Nicolás Leoz and Eugenio Figueredo were cited as being among the senior FIFA officials and marketing executives charged in May as part of the FBI investigation into widespread corruption. Both are currently facing extradition.
The reforms were apparently approved last weekend at a meeting set up in St Petersburg on the fringes of the World Cup qualifying draw.
In a four-page document, CONMEBOL’s Director General Gorka Villar (pictured right) said background checks on potential commercial partners would be put in place and future contracts not made with individuals facing legal charges.
From now on, CONMEBOL’s audited accounts and the salaries of the confederation’s president and executive committee members will be also be posted on the confederation’s website.
In a virtual mirror image of FIFA’s proposals, term limits will also be included as will a new post for an independent expert to oversee the entire implementation.
In addition to Leoz and Figueredo, the US Department of Justice allege that three Argentine businessmen, ex-Torneos CEO Alejandro Burzaco and Hugo and Mariano Jinkis, formed a company that entered into a $317.5 million contract with CONMEBOL to obtain exclusive worldwide commercial rights to the 2015, 2019 and 2023 Copa America tournaments, as well as a centenary cup next year.
Bribes of up to $110 million were promised to CONMEBOL officials, of which $40 million have already been paid, according to the US indictment.
For years, CONMEBOL’s headquarters near the Paraguayan capital, Asunción, enjoyed legal immunity. But Paraguayan lawmakers last month stripped the confederation of this privilege.
“The objective of the Compliance and Enforcement Program is ensuring greater efficiency and transparency in the CONMEBOL’s performance, confirming the strong commitment of our confederation to increasing the integrity of all of its processes and operations,” said CONMEBOL.
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