NEW YORK, USA (CMC) – Former president of CONCACAF Jeffrey Webb appeared in a New York federal court yesterday in connection with the FIFA bribery scandal that has sent shockwaves through the soccer world.Webb, who is from the Cayman Islands, is one of seven FIFA officials who were detained in Switzerland last spring when the scandal erupted.
The former FIFA vice-president and his attorney left court without speaking to reporters.
Webb, 50, has been accused of soliciting a $2M bribe in exchange for marketing rights for the 2013 Gold Cup tournament.
He is the only official to agree to come to the United States, where he pleaded not guilty last month and was released on $10M bond.
14 men – nine soccer officials and five marketing executives – were named in the U.S. indictment, including former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, who is fighting his extradition from Trinidad and Tobago.
Webb has been ordered to return to the federal court in Brooklyn on October 9.
Meantime it emerged yesterday that a U.S. prosecutor is in extradition negotiations with lawyers of defendants in the FIFA bribery probe.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Norris told a judge that he’s hopeful the talks will result in more defendants appearing in court to face racketeering and other charges.
Prosecutors say the defendants plotted to arrange bribes of more than $150M – tied to the awarding of broadcasting and hosting rights for the World Cup and other tournaments.