RIO DE JANEIRO: Marco Polo del Nero, Brazilian football supremo wanted in the United States on corruption charges, has denied any wrongdoing in the case which has erupted in Spain around Sandro Rosell writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Del Nero, who has not dared leave Brazil since being indicted by the US Justice Department in the FIFAGate investigation, has been named in court papers in Spain concerning Rosell, the former Barcelona president.

Rosell has been arrested and detained on charges of involvement in a money-laundering scam concerning fees purportedly paid for friendly matches undertaken by the Brazilian national team.

The court charge statement claims that Rosell’s network involved Del Nero, current president of the Brazilian football confederation (CBF) and his predecessors Jose Maria Marin and Ricardo Teixeira.

Marin, who denies the charges, is being held under house arrest in New York awaiting trial; Teixeira has also been indicted and remains beyond the reach of the US in Brazil.

Del Nero issued a formal statement of denial after the Madrid court documents were released.

He said: “”The allegations which form part of an investigation by the Spanish courts, which have not been shared with the CBF, are false and have no basis.”

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