Costa Rica News – The US Department of Justice accuses the president of the Costa Rican Football Federation, Eduardo Li, of demanding bribes of over $600,000.
The negotiations took place last year.
Mr. Li was offering to accept bribes from international TV channels for sole access to broadcast Costa Rica’s games during the elimination rounds leading up to Qatar 2022. Media World paid Li to continue with Traffic USA.
Others involved in the arrangement pled guilty last month to conspiracy as well as money laundering related to the commercial rights. This was not the first time such a scam took place, as similar rights were sold for the home games qualifying for Brazil 2014.
Li was arrested on May 27 from Zurich, Switzerland. He is awaiting an appeal to avoid extradition to the United States. The US claims the right to judge the case since meetings regarding the bribes took place in Miami. 13 other Concacaf leaders are charged with bribery, money laundering and organized crime.
It is believed that from 1991 until now two generations of world football managers moved $200 million in illegal payments.
