Napout stands down as head of CONMEBOL

FIFA vice-president Juan Angel Napout has resigned as CONMEBOL president.

Napout last week agreed to be extradited to the United States after he and Alfredo Hawit, president of CONCACAF, were taken into custody by Swiss police. 

Both men are suspected of accepting bribes worth millions of dollars and form part of the alleged corruption scandal that has rocked world football’s governing body. 

A new head of CONMEBOL – the South American governing body – will be elected next month. 

A CONMEBOL statement confirmed: “With the resignation of Mr. Juan Angel Napout as president, the Congress was convened for the election of officers [president and vice-presidents] for the 26th of January 2016. 

“The elected officials will hold office until the end of this mandate in 2019.

“The new Executive Committee formed after the Congress will have as its main objective to carry out a thorough reform of the structures of CONMEBOL, including its statutes and administration.

“The acting president of CONMEBOL shall be exercised by Wilmar Valdez until the date of the aforementioned Congress.”