Burga pleads not guilty to US corruption charges
December 7 – Manuel Burga, former president of the Peruvian Soccer Federation (FPF), has pleaded not guilty to corruption charges in a New York court after being extradited from his homeland.
South America
Charter airline boss held as investigations into Chapecoense crash continue
December 7 – Bolivian authorities have detained the chief executive of the airline involved in the fatal crash last week that killed 71 people, including most of the Brazilian football team, Chapecoense.
Life after death. Chapecoense awarded Copa Sudamericana title
December 6 – Chapecoense have officially been awarded the Copa Sudamericana by CONMEBOL after most of their team died in the fatal plane crash en route to the first leg of the Copa Libertadores final in Colombia.
No electrics, no fuel – pilot recording before Chapecoense plane crashed
December 1 – The chartered plane that tragically crashed in Colombia wiping out virtually an entire Brazilian football team was running out of fuel, according to the pilot’s final words.
Tributes pour in as football world mourns dead in Chapecoense plane crash
November 30 – The Brazilian government has declared three days of national mourning for the victims of the plane disaster in Colombia that killed 75 people including the bulk of the Chapecoense players and officials travelling for the Copa Sudamerica final first leg, as well as a string of Brazilian sports journalists.
Brazil’s Chapecoense in tragic plane crash on way to Colombian final
November 29 – A chartered plane carrying 81 people, including top-flight Brazilian team Chapecoense, has crashed on its approach to the city of Medellin in Colombia, seemingly after an electrical failure.
Palmeiras league win sets new record, but Chapecoense tragedy mutes celebrations
By Samindra Kunti
November 29 – Palmeiras clinched a record ninth Brazilian league title with a week to spare by beating Chapecoense 1-0 at home on Sunday. The 2016 title ends a 22-year drought for the Sao Paulo-based club. But celebrations have been muted by the tragic plane crash over Colombia Monday night. The plane was carrying the team to the Copa Subamerica final in Medellin.
Noose tightens as Peru agree to extradite Burga to US to face corruption charges
November 25 – Former Peruvian FA chief Manuel Burga is to be extradited to the United States to face criminal conspiracy charges for his alleged role in football’s far-reaching global corruption investigation.
Ecuador’s Chiriboga given 10 year jail sentence for money laundering
November 23 – The former president of the Ecuadorean FA has been convicted of money laundering in his own country and handed a 10-year sentence in the latest blow to CONEMBOL linked to the US-led case.
The cost of corruption: Samsung pulls out of Brazil sponsorship
By Samindra Kunti
November 18 – The Brazilian FA, the CBF, and Samsung have parted ways. Samsung is the fifth major sponsor the CBF has lost since the FIFA scandal engulfed the world game and shone the spotlight on decades of corruption in Brazilian football.
Messi and Argentines boycott press after ‘whacky baccy’ story causes paranoia
November 16 – Lionel Messi is leading a media boycott by the Argentine national team because of “grave and disrespectful” allegations made against a number of his teammates.
Uruguay suspends leagues in mourning for Penerol fan shot dead for his scarf
November 7 – All Uruguayan domestic league football was suspended at the weekend after the death of a 21-year-old Penerol fan shot by rival Nacional supporters in September.
Brazil breaks tradition appointing Lima as first female national team coach
By Samindra Kunti
November 7 – The Brazilian FA, the CBF, have appointed their first female head coach with Emily Lima (pictured) chosen to succeed Oswaldo Alvarez.
Astigarraga takes on top role in new reform-focussed CONMEBOL
By Andrew Warshaw
November 4 – In the latest move in its drive to reform itself and enhance its credibility after becoming shamefully embroiled in world football’s corruption scandal, CONMEBOL have named José Manuel Astigarraga as its new secretary general.
CONMEBOL turns to law to claw back ‘bribery’ cash of corrupt partners ISM
October 27 – So often portrayed as one of the main culprits in the world football corruption scandal, CONMEBOL has opened legal proceedings against its American sponsorship partners International Soccer Marketing Inc (ISM) in a bid to recover damages of $18 million paid in commission for exclusive broadcasting rights.