Sports

Ecuador orders arrest of soccer chief amid FIFA scandal

The judge also issued arrest warrants for two other federation officials

Reuters December 06, 2015

luis chiriboga l president of ecuador 039 s football federation faces the media as he turns himself in for questioning by the prosecution in quito december 4 2015 photo reuters

Luis Chiriboga (L), president of Ecuador's football federation, faces the media as he turns himself in for questioning by the prosecution in Quito, December 4, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

QUITO: Ecuador on Saturday ordered the arrest of the president of its soccer federation, Luis Chiriboga, days after US officials announced that he was one of 16 people to be charged in connection with a multi-million dollar bribery scheme.

The judge also issued arrest warrants for two other federation officials.

All three went voluntarily on Friday to speak with prosecutors after authorities froze their assets.

FIFA scandal deepens with 16 indicted for corruption

Chiriboga and another official were ordered to be held in house arrest, which is required by law because they are over 65, while the third was remanded into custody in prison.

Chiriboga has already been suspended by the soccer federation. His lawyer, Lucia Vallecilla, said prosecutors would have 90 days to review the finances of the federation as part of their investigation. She did not offer any further comment.

FIFA corruption case brings another wave of pre-dawn arrests

The heads of the associations that run soccer in North and Latin America, CONCACAF and CONMEBOL, and others with top jobs in the world governing body FIFA were among 16 people charged on Thursday on suspicion of bribery in connection with the sale of broadcast rights.