Chilean FA (ANFP) President Sergio Jadue resigned after "abruptly leaving the country, reportedly to go into witness protection in the United States to co-operate with a probe into alleged bribery within FIFA," according to the AFP. Jadue, a CONMEBOL VP, said while surrounded by police at Santiago Airport that he was "going on holiday for a few months to rest and spend time with his family." But Chile's El Mercurio newspaper cited sources in the ANFP saying he was going to be a "protected witness" of the U.S. courts as authorities there "probe the corruption scandal" that has struck FIFA. Another newspaper, La Tercera, also citing ANFP sources, said that Jadue was going to "collaborate with the investigation being carried out by the FBI." Hours after those reports, the ANFP announced Jadue had resigned. His interim replacement, Jaime Baeza, said that Jadue had "failed to give satisfactory answers" last Thursday when summoned to an "urgent and extraordinary meeting" with the ANFP's board of directors to answer questions "about his role in the alleged bribery" being investigated in the U.S. (AFP, 11/20). EL MERCURIO reported to "what can Jadue's trip be attributed?" There "are many versions, but one has gained strength and was confirmed by ANFP sources." One source said, "It's not about vacations. He will return on May 10." One ANFP official said, "Jadue is traveling as a witness protected by the U.S. courts. Nobody that goes on vacation gets a visa for more than three months" (EL MERCURIO, 11/18). 24 HORAS reported in a letter by Jadue that was accessed by Chilean media, he "highlights his accomplishments as ANFP president, but does not explain the reason for his resignation or the reasons for his sudden trip to the U.S." The letter "was not published by the ANFP," generating concern from those close to Jadue. An excerpt from his letter follows: "The reason for this letter is to inform you that I have decided to resign from my position as ANFP president. ... I request that you continue following ANFP statutes so that, democratically, we can have a new ANFP president whom we all should support" (24 HORAS, 11/19).
