FIFA investigating Ethics Committee member Damiani

FIFA has opened a preliminary investigation into a member of its own Ethics Committee, world football’s governing body has confirmed.

Juan Pedro Damiani is the subject of an internal FIFA inquiry looking into alleged links with Eugenio Figueredo, a former FIFA vice president being held on corruption charges.

Uruguayan Figueredo, the former head of CONMEBOL, was arrested in Zurich last May as part of the US-led inquiry into football corruption. He was charged by US authorities with wire fraud and money laundering.

On Sunday, FIFA said it had recently become aware of a possible business relationship between the pair and had “opened a preliminary investigation to review the allegations in question”.

The statement made no suggestion of any illegal activity on Damiani’s part.

“We confirm that on March 19th the investigatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee was informed by the chairman of the adjudicatory chamber, Hans-Joachim Eckert, about becoming recently aware of a business relationship between the member of the adjudicatory chamber Juan Pedro Damiani, and Eugenio Figueredo Aguerre,” FIFA said when contacted by Omnisport.

“After receiving the information, Dr. Cornel Borbely, chairman of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee, has immediately opened a preliminary investigation to review the allegations in question.

“Dr. Borbely is currently looking into said allegations in order to determine if there is a breach against the FIFA Code of Ethics and decide any further measures.‎”

Damiani was not immediately available for comment.