By Samindra Kunti
November 16 – The president of the Brazilian Football Confederation CBF Marco Polo del Nero has submitted a Habeas Corpus request with the Superior Federal Court STF to prevent him from being imprisoned.
Del Nero’s three lawyers, including the CBF’s Carlos Eugenio Lopes, put forth the request for habeas corpus, a legal action or writ by means of which detainees can seek relief from unlawful imprisonment. The STF’s minister Gilmar Mendes will grant or reject the habeas corpus, but has thus far not taken a decision.
The STF did not uphold Del Nero’s plea for urgency, declaring that the Congressional Comimitee has not yet requested del Nero to appear as a witness.
The significant move by Del Nero implies that the football administrator is feeling the heat from Brazilian authorities and the FBI. Del Nero may be under investigation from the latter organisation. He famously fled Zurich in May as his predecessor Jose Maria Marin, along with other high ranking football officials, was arrested on charges of corruption.
Since then, del Nero has stayed in Brazil, fearing prosecution or detainment abroad. He has missed nine official functions of the Brazilian national team. Del Nero is also not attending Brazil’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Argentina in Buenos Aires later today. Due to his self-imposed traveling restrictions del Nero has lost his seat on both FIFA’s and CONMEBOL’s executive committees.
Brazil’s own investigations into widespread and institutionalised corruption in the beautiful game will continue for the next six months. The footballer turned senator Romario has announced that he obtained the required 35 signatures to prolong the mandate of the Congressional Committee. The investigation was to end on December 22. Romario has been at the forefront of fighting corruption in football. He entered politics as a Socialist MP after his daughter was born with the Downs Syndrome.
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