Judge orders FIFA ex-VP Figueredo jailed

CONMEBOL, an influential grouping that includes traditional soccer powerhouses such as Brazil and Argentina, is heavily embroiled in a corruption probe led by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“Dr. Adriana De Los Santos (referring to judge) ordered the processing of Figueredo, imputing a continuing offense of fraud with a continuing offense of money laundering. Furthermore, the judge specially mentioned that she solicited the Interior Ministry that he [referring to Figueredo] be seen by a doctor and that any medication necessary be given to him. This, as you all know, is for health reasons to the extent that the defence solicited Judge Adriana De Los Santos for house arrest. The judge understands that at this particular time, not all the elements have been given to proceed to this this benefit [referring to house arrest] and therefore, this person this person will be deprived of freedom in a confined place assigned by the Interior Ministry,” explained Supreme Court spokesperson Raul Oxandabarat.

Figueredo arrived in the South American country earlier on Thursday after Switzerland authorized the extradition to Uruguay instead of the United States. Most of the other officials have been taken to the U.S.

Of 14 soccer officials and sports marketing executives indicted in the United States in May on bribery, money laundering and wire fraud charges involving more than $150 million in payments, eight were from South America.

Over the summer, nine properties belonging to Figueredo were seized by the Uruguayan justice department.

A prosecutor familiar with the case confirmed the asset seizure and said it was part of Uruguay’s investigations into Figueredo’s activities, adding that it was not made at the behest of the United States.

The first source was unable to put a value on the properties. Uruguay’s daily El Observador newspaper estimated the figure at $5 million dollars, and reported the properties were all either in the name of Figueredo, his wife or businesses he controlled.

Figueredo used to run Uruguayan soccer and was vice president of the South American soccer confederation CONMEBOL from 1993 to 2013. He then briefly headed CONMEBOL for a year before stepping down to take up the role as FIFA vice president.

Figueredo was being held in Switzerland following his arrest alongside six other senior soccer officials in a dawn raid on a luxury Zurich hotel.