January 20 – FIFA has banned Manuel Álvarez, one-time general secretary of the Venezuelan FA, for five years for financial wrongdoing and fined him nearly $1 million.
Álvarez was found in breach of key ethical codes at the time he was in the post, but details of the alleged misconduct have not been disclosed.
Álvarez is claimed to have facilitated the misappropriation and misuse of funds belonging to both the federation and FIFA.
FIFA’s ethics committee accused him of violating the duty of loyalty and it would appear the ruling is connected to Venezuela’s annual FIFA grant. FIFA makes $2 million available in funding each year to all its 211 member federations.
It is unclear how FIFA can enforce the fine if Álvarez chooses not to return to football.
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