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September 28, 2011

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Brazil police to investigate Teixeira

A PROSECUTOR will order Brazilian police to investigate football federation president Ricardo Teixeira over a money transfer that allegedly stemmed from kickbacks.

Prosecutor Marcelo Freire confirmed on Monday he will ask federal police to look into whether Teixeira illegally transferred money into Brazil after allegedly taking kickbacks from a former FIFA marketing partner in the 1990s.

The BBC last year accused Teixeira of being one of the FIFA members involved in the alleged corruption scheme. Football's governing body has dismissed the allegations, and Teixeira denies any wrongdoing.

The prosecutor's office said in a statement that the request to have police investigate the circumstances of the money transfer will be made in the next couple of days. It said Teixeira will be investigated for money laundering and tax crimes.

The police is obligated to take a look into the case, and the result could either clear Teixeira or lead to charges against him, as well as unveil more information regarding the widespread corruption allegations made by the BBC. The investigation could take months, according to the prosecutor's office.

Teixeira is the president of the local organizing committee for the 2014 World Cup, which Brazil will host for the first time since 1950.

Arguably the most powerful man in Brazilian football, Teixeira has been repeatedly attacked by domestic media over alleged irregularities during his reign since taking over the federation in 1989. The Brazilian Congress has twice investigated Teixeira for alleged wrongdoings, but the probes were never finalized.

There have been some protests from fans too, including marches against Teixeira and social media campaigns criticizing him.

"There is always some kind of accusation against him, but they are never able to prove anything because he didn't do anything wrong," said Rodrigo Paiva, the Brazilian federation's spokesman. "Teixeira has never been convicted of anything anywhere."

 

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