Not guilty to new charges

Former Brazilian Football Confederation president Jose Maria Marin pleaded not guilty in a US court Wednesday to new charges against him in the ongoing FIFA corruption scandal.
Marin stands accused of taking bribes worth millions of dollars from sports marketing companies in connection with the sale of rights for various football tournaments.

In early November, Marin pleaded not guilty but US federal prosecutors added seven new charges against him earlier this month.

Conspiracy, fraud and money laundering are among the 12 charges the 83-year-old now faces.

His lawyer, Charles Stillman, declared Marin not guilty Wednesday at US federal court in Brooklyn, during which time Marin's defense and prosecutors discussed difficulties posed by his bond -- set at $15 million -- due to Marin's assets being located in Brazil.

District Judge Raymond Dearie set a January 15 court date to review the matter and set a new hearing for March 16.

Marin is accused of taking bribes for a string of sporting events: the Copa America tournaments for 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2023, and the Copa do Brasil for the period from 2013 to 2022.

The Brazilian was arrested by Swiss police in Zurich with six other FIFA officials on May 27 at the request of the United States.

The charges rocked regional groups in North and South America. Marin is alleged to have shared bribes from Copa America with other football officials.

Attorneys had originally opposed Marin's extradition.

Source: AFP