Peru arrests the country's soccer boss as part of a criminal investigation into fraud

Peruvian constabulary person arrested nan caput of nan country’s shot federation arsenic portion of an investigation into fraud, extortion, money laundering and different crimes

LIMA, Peru -- Peruvian constabulary arrested nan caput of nan country's shot federation Thursday arsenic portion of an investigation into allegations that he abused his position to extort section clubs into ceding their tv rights.

Agustín Lozano is nan 2nd Peruvian shot leader to beryllium detained since 2018 erstwhile his predecessor was investigated for his alleged domiciled successful 2 murders for which he was later absolved.

Lozano was escorted handcuffed into a constabulary conveyance extracurricular his location successful nan capital, Lima, arsenic respective journalists stood by. He promised to clear up immoderate misunderstanding and asked that nan nationalist reserve judgements.

Six different group connected to nan suspected conspiracy were besides arrested.

Prosecutors, successful a 140-page tribunal filing seeking Lozano's arrest, said nan shot leader and others tried to wrest lucrative broadcast authorities from Peru's first section shot teams. Clubs that didn't cede power were threatened pinch being relegated from nan apical tier of Peru's shot clubs, according to nan archive obtained by The Associated Press.

Lozano is besides suspected of illegally spending $1.8 cardinal successful federation costs to carrier 142 group not associated pinch nan shot statement to Doha successful 2022 for a playoff lucifer betwixt Peru and Australia to spot which broadside qualified for nan World Cup successful Qatar that year, according to nan tribunal filing.

A charismatic overseeing nan lawsuit told section power that Lozano had been nether investigation for complete a year. Although he has not been criminally charged, authorities ordered his apprehension because they deemed he is simply a formation consequence and could obstruct their investigation.

Lozano has had run-ins pinch nan rule before. In 2023, prosecutors sought his apprehension arsenic portion of an embezzlement investigation from his days arsenic politician of nan bluish metropolis of Chongoyape.

Under Lozano's leadership, Peru's nationalist shot squad is successful 2nd to past spot among South American men's teams seeking to suffice for nan 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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