FIFA bans 3 former officials for life after guilty pleas

The corruption debacle engulfing FIFA continues to result in lifetime bans.

On Tuesday, after three guilty pleas, the adjudicatory chamber of FIFA's Ethics Committee banned three former football officials for life from all football-related activities at both national and international level. They include:

• Richard Lai, former president of the Guam Football Association and former member of the FIFA Audit and Compliance Committee
• Julio Rocha, former president of the Federacion Nicaraguense de Futbol and former FIFA Development Officer
• Rafael Esquivel, former president of the Federacion Venezolana de Futbol and former vice-president of CONMEBOL

Lai, an American citizen, pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging him with two counts of wire fraud conspiracy in connection to his participation in schemes to accept and pay bribes to football officials. He also pleaded guilty to one count of failing to disclose foreign bank accounts and agreed to pay more than $1.1 million in forfeiture and penalties.

Rocha, one of the nine FIFA officials indicted when the corruption scandal was opened in May 2015, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy in connection to his receipt of bribes in exchange for awarding contracts for the media and marketing rights to World Cup qualifiers. He also agreed to forfeit over $292,000 and faces a maximum of 20 years for each count.

Esquivel, also indicted in May 2015, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and three counts of money laundering conspiracy. His guilty plea related to schemes in which he received bribes in exchange for awarding contracts to companies for the media and marketing rights to various tournaments, including the Copa America and the Copa Libertadores.

The adjudicatory chamber of FIFA's Ethics Committee found the three former football officials in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics.