Ex-soccer boss denies role in FIFA scandal

 LIKE most of the former soccer officials enmeshed in charges relating to the    multi million dollar FIFA corruption scandal,  former Panama Soccer Federation (Fepafut) President Ariel Alvarado is, according to his own testimony,” not guilty.”

Like most of those named by the FBI and Swiss authorities he  followed the lead of the former FIFA autocrat Step Blatter in denying any wrongdoing.

On Saturday. August 5 he  issued a second statement in relation to accusations made against him by prosecutors from the United States.

Alvarado revealed that he has been in contact with those authorities and will cooperate with their investigation.

He is part of a group of 16 current and former soccer officials who are charged with corruption. U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said these individuals, many of whom are from South and North America, “abducted the sport for 24 years to enrich themselves.”

According to Lynch, these leaders maintained an “ongoing abuse” of their positions within FIFA.

Alvarado said he is cooperating because he is not guilty of any violations.

In the five-paragraph document, Alvarado emphasized that “there is a misconception because I am not guilty of corruption, conspiracy to commit fraud, fraud or conspiracy to launder money.”

Alvarado, who led Fepafut from 2001 to 2011, is alleged to have received $230,000 in bribes in exchange for rights to broadcast  World Cup qualifying games. Although he expressed “surprise” at Lynch’s weekend  announcement, reports show that he was aware of the FBI closing in some six months ago and was part of an attempt at covering the tracks of those involved in Panama, Argentina and the US.