FIFA Bans Three Executives For Life For Roles In Corruption Investigation

FIFA's ethics committee imposed life bans on three officials for bribery and corruption after they pleaded guilty in the U.S. Department of Justice's investigation of international football.

Marketing executive Aaron Davidson, aide Costas Takkas and match agent Miguel Trujillo were also fined 1 million Swiss francs ($1.03 million).

It is unclear if FIFA has power to enforce the fines, though ethics judges have typically imposed large financial penalties in cases arising from the sprawling U.S. federal probe.

In Brooklyn federal court, Davidson pleaded guilty to racketeering and wire fraud, Takkas admitted money laundering and Trujillo pleaded guilty to money laundering and wire fraud.

Davidson, who ran a Miami-based marketing firm that worked closely with the North American Soccer League, once served on the league's board of governors. He pleaded guilty in 2015 to conspiracy charges amid evidence he bribed officials to securing contracts for media and marketing rights.

Takkas, a British aide to former FIFA vice president and CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb, got a 15-month prison sentence last year and faced deportation from the United States.