Paraguayan court upholds extradition order for ex-CONMEBOL chief

Asuncion May 9 (IANS) A Paraguayan appeals court has upheld a decision to extradite the former president of the South American football confederation (CONMEBOL) Nicolas Leoz to the United States to face corruption charges.

A three-judge panel ratified a November court ruling that paved the way for Leoz s extradition to face accusations that he accepted bribes for broadcast and marketing rights reports Xinhua news agency.

Leoz s defence lawyers said they planned to appeal the decision in the country s supreme court.

The 89-year-old has been under house arrest since mid-2015 when he was among dozens of football officials indicted by the US Justice Department as part of a wide-ranging football graft probe.

Leoz was CONMEBOL president for 27 years before resigning in 2013 due to ill health. He was also a former FIFA executive committee member.

--IANS
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