The U.S. Department of Justice has asked Switzerland to "give priority to a U.S. request" to extradite former FIFA official Julio Rocha in preference to a later request from his native Nicaragua, according to Stephanie Nebehay of REUTERS. Six of seven football officials detained in Zurich in late May "remain in Swiss custody pending extradition requests" from the U.S. to face charges in a corruption scandal that has rocked FIFA. Rocha, a former FIFA development officer and the former president of Nicaragua's FA, agreed on Aug. 14 to an extradition request sent by Nicaragua. Days later, Managua's attorney general Julia Guido said it had charged him with "money laundering and embezzlement" linked to football broadcasting rights. Swiss Justice Ministry spokesperson Folco Galli said, "This week U.S. authorities have asked that the FOJ (Federal Office of Justice) gives priority to their request for Rocha's extradition" (REUTERS, 8/27). REUTERS' Hugh Bronstein reported an Argentine judge "has suspended the extradition of Hugo and Mariano Jinkis," who are wanted by the U.S. as part of the FIFA graft investigation. Hugo Jinkis, 70, and his son Mariano, 40, are among the current and former FIFA officials and corporate execs indicted on racketeering charges. Judge Claudio Bonadio suspended their extradition process for 30 days while he asks U.S. prosecutors to "provide more information about the accusations against the two Argentine suspects, who are under house arrest" (REUTERS, 8/27).
NAKHID QUESTIONS PLATINI: The AP reported as UEFA President Michel Platini prepares to reveal his FIFA presidential vision, "a rival contender is launching his campaign by questioning the UEFA leader's long-standing association" with FIFA President Sepp Blatter and his credentials to "reform the scandal-tainted governing body." Former Trinidad and Tobago footballer David Nakhid is positioning himself as a candidate "whose main selling point is his distance from the discredited Swiss-based institution," having never served under Blatter. Nakhid said, "Platini has been positioning himself as a reformer, but how can that be?" Those who are vying for the post should be scrutinized and looked at. How can someone claim to be free or not tainted when he has been part of the circle that has basically brought football down a sorry path?" Former FIFA VP Chung Mong-joon launched his campaign earlier this month "by also questioning why Platini is only recently distancing himself from Blatter." Chung said, "Suddenly become very fashionable to become Blatter's enemy" (AP, 8/26).
SEXWALE MULLING BID: REUTERS' Brian Homewood reported South African businessman and former political prisoner Tokyo Sexwale said on Thursday that he is "still mulling whether to run" for the presidency of FIFA. Sexwale, currently head of FIFA's Israel-Palestine monitoring committee, announced that he was "considering joining the race." He said, "I will make my mind very, very clear in due course but obviously we are headed for a situation where FIFA is looking forward to have a new president and I will leave the matter there" (REUTERS, 8/27).
