The new president of the International football Federation (FIFA), Gianni Infantino signed a contract with businessmen convicted of bribery, should be from the “Panamanian documents.”
These documents show that Infantino, occupying the post of UEFA, has signed a contract for the rights to broadcast the matches of the Champions League with two businessmen – Hugo Mariano Hinkisami that soon resell rights at a price that is almost three times higher than the original the price.
However, there is no evidence that Infantino has committed an offense, signing a contract. UEFA previously denied any connection with the Argentine businessman Hugo Hinkisom and his son Mariano, whom the United States was later charged in connection with the illegal acquisition of the rights to broadcast a number of football matches.
A senior FIFA said Bi- BBC, that the information contained in the “Panamanian documents” should be subjected to scrutiny by the ethics committee.
Now, Hugo and Mariano Hinkis are located in Argentina, they face extradition to the United States.
what is it?
in May 2015 the uS prosecutors alleged that, as owners of the company Cross Trading, Hinkisy for several years to pay millions of dollars in bribes football functionaries in South America, to cheaply get the rights to broadcast a number of football tournaments and then resell those rights to a large profit.
name Gianni Infantino appear on the contract with Cross Trading on the broadcasting rights in Ecuador matches of the European Champions League in the period between seasons 2006-2007 and 2008-2009.
Cross Trading, an offshore company registered on the tiny island of Niue in the Pacific Ocean, has paid 111,000 dollars for these rights. Then, according to “Panamanian documents”, it resold those rights Ecuadorian broadcaster Teleamazonas for 311 170 dollars.
Cross Trading also has paid 28 thousand dollars for the rights to broadcast the Super UEFA Cup, and then resold Teleamazonas them for 126 200 dollars.
no one argues that Infantino received bribes in connection with a contract in 2006 with Cross Trading, and there is no indication that Teleamazonas was somehow involved in criminal activities.
while Infantino served as head of the legal department of the UEFA.
at the Cross Trading also had connections with Juan Pedro Damiani, a member of the FIFA ethics Committee, whose past is now officially investigated by the same committee.
What says UEFA?
UEFA insists that all contracts concluded with the Cross Trading, did not violate any rules or laws, since the company acts as an intermediary for Teleamazonas.
The representative of the League stated that the rights to broadcast the tournament were purchased as part of an open and competitive tender.
He added that the price offered Teleamazonas / Cross Trading was 20% higher price proposed by other competitors.
According to him, what happened to the rights to broadcast then, does not concern the UEFA.
UEFA also noted that the organization signed hundreds of contracts for broadcast rights for televised matches of the Champions League, and a contract with Cross Trading was only one of them, and represented only a small part of the income of UEFA.
“the television contract in question was signed by Gianni Infantino, since at that time he was one of the few directors of UEFA, who had the right to sign contracts. As you can see, the contract was also signed by another director of UEFA. It is standard practice, “- said UEFA
Potentially, these messages could undermine the reputation as Infantino and FIFA
Over the past few days, this is the second bad news for the organization.. It is trying to recover from a corruption scandal.
FIFA ethics Committee is investigating possible links Juan Pedro Damiani with officials from football Eugenio Figueredo, who is also suspected of corruption.
“no problem”
Infantino led FIFA on February 26 will replace Sepp Blatter.
As head of FIFA, Infantino has promised to restore the image of the organization.
However, judging by the results of the investigation bi-bi-si, neither UEFA nor Infantino did not inform the US Federal Bureau of investigations on transactions with Cross Trading.
UEFA claims that the FBI did not appeal to her with any queries regarding the contract with . Cross Trading
“in regard to Mr Infantino, we do not know about what else matters to him the FBI about this or any other contract,” – said in a statement the organization <. /> p>
“of course, if UEFA receives a request for cooperation or the provision of information related to the investigation of the US Department of Justice, it will do it”.
lawyer Hugo Mariano Hinkisov refused to answer journalists’ questions.
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