NEW YORK, (Reuters) – The former chairman of an Argentina-based sports marketing business, one of 14 people indicted in a corruption case that has roiled the soccer world’s governing body FIFA, pleaded not guilty in a U.S. court yesterday.
Alejandro Burzaco, an Argentine businessman who was the former general manager and chairman of Torneos y Competencias SA, appeared in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, after being extradited to the United States from Italy.
According to an indictment unsealed on May 27, Burzaco faces U.S. charges including conspiracy to commit racketeering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He turned himself in to police in northern Italy on June 9 and is the third defendant to be arraigned on the indictment.
Burzaco, 51, was one of nine soccer officials and five marketing executives accused by the U.S. Justice Department of exploiting the sport for their own gain through bribes of more than $150 million over 24 years.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Vera Scanlon set Burzaco’s bond at $20 million and authorized his release subject to travel restrictions and electronic monitoring. A private security service approved by U.S. authorities is to provide additional around-the-clock monitoring.
Lawyers for Burzaco in the United States declined to comment while his Argentine attorney did not reply to emailed requests for comment.
