June 3 – Another of the football officials indicted by the US Justice Department in the football corruption investigation has lost his battle against extradition from his home country to the US. A Peruvian court has ruled against former federation boss Manuel Burga’s request to remain in the country.
That ruling now has to be approved by the justice ministry before Burga can be extradited.
Burga led the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) for 12 years until 2014, but had become under increasing pressure in Peru over criticism of the management of the federation. He was arrested outside his home in Lima in December under an international warrant.
The Peruvian court ruled that US prosecutors’ charges of money laundering and electronic fraud were not grounds for extradition, the charge of criminal conspiracy was.
Burga faces five charges of racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud and money laundering. He is accused of collecting bribes in exchange for advertising and broadcast rights of international matches and tournaments.
One the 16 football officials indicted on corruption charges last December, Burga has since been in jail since his arrest. He face up to 20 years in prison in the US if found guilty.
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