December 7 – Peruvian Football Federation president Edwin Oviedo (pictured) has been arrested over his alleged role in a criminal network that paid for several judges to attend last summer’s World Cup, Peru’s first appearance in the finals for 36 years.
Prosecutors said Oviedo would be held initially for 15 days after he was taken into custody at his home in a wealthy section of Lima. Police are also seeking access to the soccer federation’s offices.
In a separate case, a court in Lima is expected to rule soon on a prosecution request to jail Oviedo for two years for allegedly ordering the murders of two trade unionists at a sugar company he controlled. In 2016, the Supreme Court excluded him from being investigated.
Prosecutors have accused Oviedo of giving former Supreme Court Justice Cesar Hinostroza cash and World Cup tickets.
He was arrested on suspicion of being part of a criminal organisation made up of judges, lawyers and businessmen that infiltrated the country’s justice system, according to prosecutor Jorge Chavez.
Peru’s national team has thrived during Oviedo’s reign as federation chief but several Peruvian officials have requested he step aside while he remained under suspicion of wrongdoing.
His predecessor, Manuel Burga, was last year acquitted as part of the FifaGate scandal. He had been charged with racketeering conspiracy and accused of having plotted to collect $4.4 million in bribes in exchange for marketing and broadcast rights to matches.
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