Former CONMEBOL Execs Likely to Receive Life Bans

(ATR) The FIFA Ethics Committee wants to keep Luis Bedoya and Sergio Jadue away from football for the rest of their lives.

Chairman of the investigatory chamber of the committee Dr. Cornel Borbely finalized his reports on the two former CONMEBOL vice presidents on Feb. 18, recommending life bans for their alleged violations of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

"The chairman of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee recommended imposing on both Mr. Bedoya and Mr. Jadue a lifelong ban on taking part in any kind of football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other)," the Ethics Committee said in a statement.

In his report, Borbely identified seven ethics violations by the former CONMEBOL executives, including: general rules of conduct, loyalty, duty of disclosure, cooperation and reporting, conflicts of interest, bribery and corruption and general obligation to collaborate.

Bedoya and Jadue, former presidents of the Colombian and Chilean Football Associations respectively, both pleaded guilty to racketeering and wire fraud conspiracy to the U.S. Department of Justice on Dec. 3. The DOJ says the officials received "annual six-figure payments" or bribes in exchange for lucrative marketing and broadcasting deals for South American football tournaments.

Although Bedoya and Jadue pleaded guilty, the adjudicatory chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee will presume the disgraced officials are innocent until it makes its ruling. The adjudicatory chamber is chaired by Hans-Joachim Eckert.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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