SOCCER-FIFA/COSTA RICA Costa Rica opens probe into arrested FIFA official Eduardo Li

Record ID: 165444

  • Title: SOCCER-FIFA/COSTA RICA Costa Rica opens probe into arrested FIFA official Eduardo Li
  • Date: 27th May 2015
  • Summary: HEREDIA, COSTA RICA (MAY 27, 2015) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** EXTERIOR COSTA RICA SOCCER FEDERATION FLAGS FLAPPING IN WIND GENERAL VIEW OF NEWS CONFERENCE CAMERAMEN (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COSTA RICA SOCCER FEDERATION VICE PRESIDENT, JORGE HIDALGO, SAYING: "I have no idea of the charges he has been accused of. I don't know what they are but I can guarantee with absolute certainty, that the people sitting here and my colleagues from the executive committee gathered here and those who are away but who work in the federation, are completely calm and absolutely sure our work and conscience is completely clean and we are completely capable of continuing with our good work." MORE OF CAMERAMEN (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COSTA RICA SOCCER FEDERATION VICE PRESIDENT, JORGE HIDALGO, SAYING: "This is a personal matter for Eduardo. Our federation (bank) accounts and the federation as a whole is not implied in absolutely anything. There is an internal and external audit. All of the accounts are clear. Not long ago, all the information with regards to the assembly was reviewed." HIDALGO FOLLOWING NEWS CONFERENCE SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA (MAY 27, 2015) (REUTERS) COSTA RICAN PRESIDENT, LUIS GUILLERMO SOLIS, BEING INTERVIEWED BY MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COSTA RICAN PRESIDENT LUIS GUILLERMO SOLIS, SAYING: "Very surprised by the news this morning, as is the whole country. I had no idea that this was happening. I deeply regret it. I hope Costa Rica's good name is not tainted by this situation with its national teams. As you know, we are about to take part in the female World Cup for the first time." MORE OF MEDIA INTERVIEWING SOLIS
  • Embargoed: 11th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Costa Rica
  • City:
  • Country: Costa Rica
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAB9PTBDXB02P6LQJ4W5T6GBRDF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Costa Rican prosecutors have opened an investigation into the president of the country's soccer federation who was among seven FIFA executives arrested in Switzerland on Wednesday (May 27) on corruption charges brought by prosecutors in the United States.
    The news caused concern in the Central American country, where federation chief Eduardo Li was named 2014 Person of the Year by newspaper La Nacion for his role in the national team's unexpected run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Brazil.
    During a news conference in Heredia, Costa Rica soccer federation vice president, Jorge Hidalgo, said the federation as a whole was clear of any wrongdoing.
    "I have no idea of the charges he has been accused of. I don't know what they are but I can guarantee with absolute certainty, that the people sitting here and my colleagues from the executive committee gathered here and those who are away but who work in the federation, are completely calm and absolutely sure our work and conscience is completely clean and we are completely capable of continuing with our good work," Hidalgo said.
    Hidalgo added all of the federation's bank accounts had recently been audited.
    "This is a personal matter for Eduardo. Our federation (bank) accounts and the federation as a whole is not implied in absolutely anything. There is an internal and external audit. All of the accounts are clear. Not long ago, all the information with regards to the assembly was reviewed."
    Nine FIFA officials and five corporate executives were indicted on corruption, bribery and money laundering charges, the U.S. Department of Justice said. Seven people, including Li, were arrested at a Zurich hotel two days before the FIFA Congress.
    Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solis told reporters he was surprised by the news of the 56-year-old Li's arrest.
    "Very surprised by the news this morning, as is the whole country. I had no idea that this was happening. I deeply regret it. I hope Costa Rica's good name is not tainted by this situation with its national teams. As you know, we are about to take part in the female World Cup for the first time."
    Rafael Fello, Secretary General of Costa Rica's soccer federation, told newspaper La Nacion that the organization was trying to arrange legal advice for Li in Switzerland.
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