Switzerland approves first extradition to US in FIFA case

In a statement, the Swiss authorities accused him of taking bribes from a Uruguayan sports marketing company for the marketing rights of the 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2023 Copa America tournaments.

He is also alleged to have acquired US citizenship fraudulently by submitting forged medical reports in 2005 and 2006.

Figueredo, who has been detained in a Zurich prison, faces 20 years in prison on racketeering charges.

“Figueredo submitted documentation explaining his mental disability that falsely stated that he had severe dementia”, the Swiss ministry said.

He is accused of receiving bribes worth millions of dollars relating to Copa America tournaments, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Justice said.

Michael Lauber, the Swiss justice chief, confirmed his country’s authorities are investigating a World Cup television rights contract signed off by FIFA president Sepp Blatter that was sold to former FIFA official Jack Warner for a fraction of their true value.

Figueredo has been the president of the Uruguayan Football Association since 1997 and was formerly FIFA vice-president. Four more men had guilty pleas unsealed.

One suspect, Jeffrey Webb of the Cayman islands, agreed to extradition and was sent to the US in July.

Switzerland is expected to rule on the remaining five extradition requests by the end of the month.