A former top-ranking Chilean soccer official who admitted wrongdoing in the huge FIFA graft scandal has compared awaiting sentencing in the United States to a holiday in the sun.
The boast by Sergio Jadue, a former vice president of the South American football confederation CONMEBOL and formerly the president of the Chilean FA, has infuriated his compatriots back home and could yet spark the interest of US justice officials.
Jadue, who was also investigated by Chilean authorities for money laundering, used a message on his WhatsApp messaging app to show off a picture of him wearing sun glasses and a hat by the sea. An accompanying message included an insult to his fellow countrymen in Chile.
Hugo Munoz, director at the Chilean FA, told local media: “This is a provocation to all Chileans. He is laughing at people. We understand the anger that this causes.”
Jadue abruptly left Chile in November and resigned, reportedly to go into witness protection in the United States to cooperate with a probe into the scandal in a bid to ensure a lesser sentence
Jadue waived indictment and pleaded guilty to two US counts of racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy.
