December 7 – The head of Ecuador’s football federation, one of 16 officials newly charged with corruption by US authorities, has turned himself in to authorities in his home country in the knowledge that it does not extradite its nationals.
Luis Chiriboga (pictured), who is also a member of CONMEBOL executive committee, was one of those charged in connection with the sweeping investigation into a multi-million dollar bribery scheme over the sale of broadcast rights stretching back two decades.
“I have come voluntarily to cooperate with the prosecution,” Chiriboga, 69, told journalists as he surrendered to local authorities.
Prosecutors said a judge had issued a warrant for his arrest and frozen his bank accounts after Ecuadoran investigators opened their own probe in connection with the US charges. Chiriboga’s lawyer said her client may be jailed for up to 90 days during the initial investigation.
“Ecuador does not permit the extradition of its citizens, but it assumes responsibility for investigating crimes, including those that Ecuadorans may commit abroad, to prosecute them here,” said Attorney General Galo Chiriboga, who is no relation.
Meanwhile, Manuel Burga, former president of Peru’s FA and also among the fresh swathe of incited officials, was arrested over the weekend. Burga, head of his federation for 12 years until 2014, has denied any wrongdoing. “I reiterate that I’m innocent. I haven’t received any bungs or bribes,” he said.
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