On 12 November 2015, it was reported that Eugenio Figueredo, the former Vice President of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), and former Vice President of FIFA, had agreed to extradition to his home country of Uruguay. The Swiss Federal Office of Justice press report is here.
On 24 December 2015, Mr Figueredo was extradited to Uruguay. A report is here.
Background
On 13 October 2015, the Uruguayan embassy in Bern, Switzerland, submitted a formal extradition request to the Swiss Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) for Mr Figueredo. The Uruguayan embassy provided further information to the FOJ on 3 November 2015.
Mr Figueredo is alleged to have received bribes worth millions of dollars from a Uruguayan sports marketing company in connection with the sale of marketing rights to the Copa América tournaments in 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2023. He is also alleged to have acquired US citizenship fraudulently by submitting forged medical reports in 2005 and 2006.
FOJ Approve Extradition Request, 12 November 2015
On 12 November 2015, the FOJ approved Mr Figueredo’s simplified extradition to Uruguay, albeit subject to the resolution of priority between the Uruguayan and the equally valid US request. The FOJ stated that:
“It will be for the US authorities to state whether or not they agree to Uruguay being given priority. If the US authorities do not agree, the issue will be decided by the FOJ.”
The FOJ had previously approved Mr Figueredo’s extradition to the US, on 17 September 2015. Mr Figueredo lodged an appeal against the ruling with the Federal Criminal Court. However, it would appear that this was unsuccessful.
Extradition, 24 December 2015
Mr Figueredo was extradited to Uruguay on 24 December 2015. He is currently being held in detention while he awaits trial at an unspecified date, rather than house arrest, despite his lawyer’s request for the latter.
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