Los Angeles--The North American Soccer League on Wednesday suspended Board of Governors chairman Aaron Davidson, one of 14 people indicted in the US probe of what prosecutors call a "World Cup" of football fraud.
Davidson is president of Traffic Soccer Club and Traffic Sports USA, and is one of the marketing executives named in the 47-count US indictment alleging racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies that span 24 years, beginning in 1991.
The professional league that operates in the shadow of Major League Soccer, is also suspending all business activities with Traffic Sports USA, which owns the Carolina RailHawks NASL club based in North Carolina.
"In light of the ongoing investigation announced by the US Department of Justice on Wednesday, the North American Soccer League's Board of Governors has suspended Chairperson Aaron Davidson, along with all business activities between the league and Traffic Sports, effective immediately," the NASL said in a statement.
"The Carolina RailHawks, the sole NASL club owned by Traffic Sports, will continue to operate in the ordinary course of business. The club's management team will continue to manage the day-to-day operations."
The league said commissioner Bill Peterson will serve as acting chairperson as the case progresses.
The complex international investigation revealed by Attorney General Loretta Lynch has global governing body FIFA under pressure, with two FIFA vice presidents among the seven soccer officials arrested in Zurich in dawn raids by Swiss police acting at the request of US officials.
Swiss investigators are also probing FIFA's awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar.
US agents also raided the Miami headquarters of CONCACAF, with the federation governing football in North and Central America and the Caribbean pledging to cooperate with investigators.
The US Soccer Federation and Major League Soccer offered brief comments on the probes that have sent shockwaves through world football.
"The United States Soccer Federation firmly believes there is no higher priority, and nothing more important, than protecting the integrity of our game," the federation said in a statement.
AFP
