(ATR) Former Brazilian football boss Jose Maria Marin pleaded not guilty to bribery charges in a U.S. federal court on Tuesday after being extradited from Switzerland.
Marin is one of seven officials who was arrested in Zurich after being indicted on U.S. charges in the ongoing FIFA corruption saga that continues to tarnish the reputation of the global soccer body and upset powerful sponsors.
The 83-year-old Marin was president of Brazil’s football governing body, the CBF, between March 2012 and April 2014, and also led the organization of the 2014 World Cup. Marin’s bail was set at $15 million with a judge ordering him placed under house arrest.
He entered his plea through an interpreter before U.S. District Judge Raymond Dearie in Brooklyn, New York hours after arriving on a flight from Zurich, where police arrested him in May. Marin cooperated with authorities and agreed to the extradition last week.
Longtime FIFA president Sepp Blatter is among the officials currently under investigation by Swiss authorities. Blatter denies any wrongdoing, but is serving a 90-day suspension from his FIFA post, with his successor expected to be named in February.
U.S. authorities accused Marin of being among several high-ranking soccer officials who were due to receive $110 million in bribes in exchange for the media rights for regional tournaments. At least $40 million had been paid out when the charges were announced, prosecutors said.
The indictment also links Marin to a scheme to receive bribes for the commercial rights associated with the Copa do Brasil, an annual tournament for Brazil's top club teams.
In May, footage emerged of Marin appearing to pocket a medal that was meant to be awarded to a young player following the final of the Sao Paolo Youth Football Cup in 2012.
Instead of giving the medal to the player, Marin is seen slipping it into his pants pocket. Afterwards, he dismissed the incident as a "joke."
In addition to presiding over the Brazilian football federation and 2014 World Cup, Marin also held various positions in FIFA, including on the organizing committees for Olympic tournaments and other World Cups.
Reported by Brian Pinelli.For general comments or questions,click here.20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics isAroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.
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