First Verdicts in FIFA Trial

Flags of the football's world body FIFA next to a Swiss Flag (R) are seen on July 20, 2015 in Zurich. FIFA leaders met on July 20 to decide a date for an election to replace president Sepp Blatter and reform steps as football's world body confronts its biggest corruption crisis. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

(ATR) Two of three defendants in the first trial involving the ongoing FIFA scandal have been found guilty of corruption.

The jury returned a number of verdicts ahead of a break for the Christmas holiday in Brooklyn, New York. Former Brazilian Football Confederation President Jose Maria Marin and former Paraguayan Football Federation President Juan Angel Napout were found guilty on multiple counts. Napout was also at one time President of the South American Football Confederation.

The jury said it could not decide all counts of charges against former Peru Football Federation President Manuel Burga. During the trial Burga allegedly made a throat slitting motion to a witness called by the prosecution. The incident almost caused the entire proceeding to be declared a mistrial.

Marin and Napout were found guilty on charges of wire fraud and racketeering regarding media rights for the Copa Libertadores and Copa America soccer tournaments. Marin was found guilty for additional charges stemming from wire fraud for media rights regarding the Brazil Cup annual tournament.

In total Marin was found guilty on six of the seven total charges brought against him, while Napout was convicted on three of five charges.

The convictions represent the first ones from a trial in the ongoing FIFA scandal that began in 2015. Swiss and U.S. authorities arrested a number of executives from the world soccer body ahead of the 2015 Congress. The arrests led to the resignation of then-President Sepp Blatter and the creation of a number of reform committees. More than 20 executives pled guilty to U.S. authorities on bribery charges avoiding a trial.

Written by Aaron Bauer

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