November 9 – The former president of the Venezuelan FA is expected to change his plea to guilty in Brooklyn on Thursday over his alleged role in the US-led football corruption probe, according to agency reports quoting court records.
Esquivel, 70, is one of 42 individuals and entities charged as part of the U.S. investigation that brought FIFA to its knees. To date, 18 individuals and two companies have pleaded guilty.
Prosecutors say the defendants engaged in schemes involving more than $200 million in bribes and kickbacks over more than 20 years that were sought and received by in exchange for marketing and broadcasting rights to tournaments and matches.
Esquivel was among the original ‘Zurich Seven’ arrested at the Baur au Lac hotel in Switzerland in May 2015 and was extradited to the United States in March this year.
In September it was reported that up to seven defendants were considering switching their pleas to guilty but none were named. After initially pleading not guilty, Esquivel was placed under house arrest while he awaited trial on a $7 million bond.
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