By Andrew Warshaw
May 4 – FIFA ethics prosecutors want a lifetime ban imposed on former FIFA vice president and ex-CONCACAF leader Jeffrey Webb, who has admitted taking bribes as part of the widespread corruption probe being conducted by United States authorities.
Webb, who led FIFA’s fight against racism as chairman of its anti-discrimination unit and was at one time touted as a potential FIFA president, has admitted abusing his position by enriching himself to the tune of millions of dollars and last year changed his plea to guilty in New York on charges of racketeering, wire-fraud and money-laundering.
The 50-year-old Cayman Islands FA boss agreed to forfeit more than $6.7 million as part of his plea deal. FIFA has written to the US Department of Justice already asking them to take a harder look at Webb’s assets and his current lifestyle.
Ethics committee judges have now received a final report from the investigatory arm of the body and have opened formal proceedings against Webb.
“The final report was transmitted to the adjudicatory chamber on 26 April 2016, with a recommended sanction of a lifelong ban from all football-related activities,” a statement said.
The highest profile figure arrested in the initial swoop on the Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich last May, Webb was soon extradited to the United States where authorities have been investigating an alleged a $150 million bribery and kickback scheme.
He is currently under house arrest awaiting trial, a far cry from when he lived a millionaire’s lifestyle as a leading FIFA figurehead, and is expected to be sentenced in federal court in Brooklyn next month where he faces up to 20 years in prison.
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