Rojas recuses herself from investigation of Colombian FA World Cup ticket scam

August 21 – Unconfirmed reports say FIFA has opened a preliminary investigation into the Colombian Football Federation (FCF) over the resale of tickets for World Cup qualifying matches which, if true, would represent another blow to the credibility of Conmebol in the wake of the FifaGate scandal.

FIFA rarely comments officially on preliminary investigations but María Claudia Rojas, head of FIFA’s ethics investigation unit, is reported to have told Spanish publication Marca that FIFA “already has the case file on the table”.

Given her Colombian nationality, Rojas cannot personally be involved in any investigation but is quoted as saying: “Now the Committee must make a decision, and if any link is verified, it will continue to the next instance on the case. If it is considered unrelated, the case will be closed.”

Earlier this month, reports emerged that Colombia’s federation president Ramon Jesurun (pictured), a key member of FIFA’s all-powerful Council, was being investigated at home for his alleged role in the case.

Jesurun, who is also vice-president of Conmebol, was a strong supporter of Gianni Infantino in the FIFA presidential election two years ago and is understood to have personally recommended Rojas as FIFA’s ethics investigations chief in succession to Cornel Borbely even though she had no experience in criminal law and spoke only Spanish.

Jesurun is reportedly being probed along with his predecessor Luis Bedoya, executive Alvaro Gonzalez Alzate and former Colombian league chairman Jorge Perdomo. Also under investigation are Rodrigo Rendon Cano, owner of the Real Cartagena club; his son Rodrigo Rendon Ruiz, plus ticket selling companies Ticketshop and TicketYa.com.

Colombia’s trade authorities said the investigation concerned eight of the nine home South American qualifiers played by the national team. They believe 42,221 tickets were allegedly embezzled and resold, some at 350% over face value. Proceeds from the criminal operation are estimated to be about $4.5 million.

Colombia’s Superintendent of Industry and Commerce, Pablo Filipe Robledo told a local radio station that the authorities had already made contact with FIFA and that they were “referring to the Ethics Committee” details of the case.

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