MOSCOW, August 3 (RAPSI) – An executive of a sports marketing business based in Argentina has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the FIFA corruption case, Reuters has reported.
According to Reuters, Alejandro Burzaco, the former general manager and chairman of Torneos y Competencias SA, is one of nine soccer officials and five marketing executives accused of corruption by the U.S. Justice Department.

Burzaco has appeared in New York federal court after being extradited to the United States from Italy. He turned himself in to Italian police on June 9, Reuters has reported. Burzaco is accused of corruption conspiracy related to the exclusive rights for the 2015, 2019, and 2023 editions of the Copa America and the Copa America Centenario.

The UN Justice Department announced on May 27 that nine FIFA officials and five corporate executives have been indicted for racketeering conspiracy and corruption. The charges mention various criminal activities, including fraud, bribery and money laundering and conspiring to solicit and receive millions in bribes and kickbacks in exchange for the official support of the sports marketing executives who allegedly agreed to make the unlawful payments.

Seven of the defendants were arrested in a Zurich hotel, where they met for the election of the FIFA president on May 29.

On June 16 it was revealed that North and Central American Concacaf general Chuck Blazer who has also served as executive in FIFA has been an “undercover agent” for FBI since 2013.

Blazer pleaded guilty to 10 charges in 2013 which included several economic crimes: bribery, money laundering and tax evasion with potential jail term of 75 years. In order to avoid serving his prison sentence, Blazer agreed to “provide truthful, complete and accurate information” to US prosecution and “participate in undercover activities pursuant to the specific instructions of law enforcement agents”.