Adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee sanctions former members of the normalisation committee of the Venezuelan Football Association – African Business

Five former members (NC) of Venezuelan Football Association (FVF), as a result their conduct during their tenure(s), the adjudicatory chamber (IEC) has sanctioned them.

• Laureano González, former president of the FVF and subsequently the chairman of the NC, has been banned from taking part in all football-related activity for a duration of five years after having been found guilty of mismanagement of FVF and FIFA funds, including through a fictitious invoicing scheme.
• Carlos Terán, a former member of the NC and a current member of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, has been banned from taking part in all football-related activity for a duration of two years after having been found guilty of approving and accepting undue pecuniary advantages in the form of additional monthly payments.
• Bernardo Añor Guillamón, Luis Eduardo Fernández and Gilberto Velazco Ramírez, all former members of the NC, have each been banned from taking part in all football-related activity for a duration of one year (suspended for a probationary period of two years) after having been found guilty of approving and accepting undue pecuniary advantages in the form of additional monthly payments.

Additionally, the adjudicatory Chamber imposed these sanctions:

• A fine amounting to USD 410,363 on Mr González
• Individual fines amounting to CHF 10,000 on Messrs Terán, Añor Guillamón, Fernández and Velazco Ramírez

After holding separate hearings and analyzing the evidence before the adjudicatory Chamber, as well as the evidence collected by the investigatory room in each proceeding, the adjudicatory Chamber was satisfied that the above individuals had broken the FIFA Code of Ethics.

• Laureano González: art. 13 (General duties), art. 15 (Duty to loyalty) and art. 28 (Misappropriation or misuse of funds).

• Carlos Terán, Bernardo Añor Guillamón, Luis Eduardo Fernández and Gilberto Velazco Ramírez: art. 13 (General duties), art. 15 (Duty and loyalty), art. 19 (Conflicts and misunderstandings), art. 20 (Offering or accepting gifts or other benefits), Art. 25 (Abuses of position) and art. 28 (Misappropriation or misuse of funds).

The parties were notified today of the individual terms of the decisions. They also notified the date on the bans came into effect. Notification of the grounds will be sent within 60 days, in accordance to the FCE.

Distributed by APO Group, FIFA Ethics Committee.

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