Swiss authorities return seized $37 million to CONMEBOL
Swiss authorities said Wednesday they are returning about $37 million in seized funds to South American soccer confederation CONMEBOL.
The money is linked to a Swiss corruption investigation into
CONMEBOL'S former president Nicolás Leoz of Paraguay and former
secretary-general Eduardo Deluca of Argentina. Leoz and Deluca were among the
targets of a probe launched in 2015, led by U.S. federal prosecutors with help
of Swiss authorities. They were among nearly 20 officials accused of
racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering.
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) said
in a statement the funds were in frozen bank accounts and had been “unlawfully
acquired” at CONMEBOL's expense.
“As the party suffering harm within the respective criminal
proceedings is doubtlessly known – the CONMEBOL – the forfeited funds will be
returned directly to it," the OAG said.
The Swiss authority added Leoz and Deluca “abused their
positions” and “unlawfully enriched themselves and possibly other persons.”
Leoz died in August 2019, which stopped legal proceedings
against him.
The South American soccer body celebrated the decision,
saying it shows that CONMEBOL is a “victim” of previous leaders. The
confederation added it is yet to decide how to use the retrieved funds.
“This unprecedented achievement of CONMEBOL comes at an
extraordinarily momentous occasion, as it deals with the hard effects of the
pandemic and the unilateral contract termination of with broadcasters Globo and
DAZN in the important Brazilian market,” the soccer body said.
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