2 more Bolivian football officials in custody over corruption

Two more senior Bolivian football officials turned themselves in to police Thursday as part of a corruption probe.

This follows the arrest last Friday of Carlos Chavez, who is president of the Bolivian Football Federation and treasurer of the sport's South American confederation, CONMEBOL.

The new men in custody are Pedro Zambrano, the Bolivian federation's secretary general, and Jorge Justiniano, president of another organization called the National Football Association, which is in charge of football at the amateur level.

The two surrendered to authorities in the southeast city of Sucre, where a prosecutor opened the corruption investigation.

One other football official, league president Fernando Humerez, remains at large.

A court official said last month that the four men were being investigated for various crimes, including abusing their office, laundering illicit profits, misuse of influence and criminal organization.

Chavez, who remained in custody Thursday, told reporters he remains the head of the federation despite his legal status.

Federation secretary general Alberto Lozada has also been arrested for allegedly fixing international matches, and remains under house arrest after posting bond.

On June 2, Bolivian authorities opened a probe targeting federation officials as part of the FIFA scandal. They accuse Chavez of receiving a $7.5 bribe.

Since June 23 another probe has targeted Chavez again, plus Humerez, Justiniano and Zambrano.
Source: AFP