Judge approves extradition of former CONMEBOL boss Leoz

Asuncion Nov 17 (IANS) A Paraguayan judge has approved the extradition of Nicolas Leoz the one-time head of South American football governing body CONMEBOL to face bribery charges in the United States.

Leoz is one of several current and former South American football officials under investigation by the US Justice Department as part of a global crackdown on corruption in the sport reports Xinhua news agency.

The 89-year-old who has been under house arrest since 2015 is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for broadcast and marketing rights.

His lawyer Ricardo Preda said he would appeal the decision.

Leoz resigned as CONMEBOL president after 27 years in 2013 citing health reasons.

His successor Juan Angel Napout has also been charged along with Manuel Burga and Jose Maria Marin the former presidents of the Peruvian and Brazilian associations respectively.

The Brazilian Football Confederation s current head Marco Polo Del Nero is also being probed for graft by US authorities though no formal charges have been laid.

--IANS
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