Julio Grondona

Through admissions by a banker and subsequently Bank Julius Baer, the DOJ established that a senior official described as president of AFA and senior vice-president of FIFA benefited from a sub-account into which more than $25 million was deposited under an agreement worth approximately $30 million to support the award of regional rights for the 2018, 2022, 2026 and 2030 World Cups. Press reports and biographical characteristics identify this official as Grondona.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

At the FIFAGate trial in New York, Alejandro Burzaco testified that Grondona had told him he was owed $1 million in connection with his vote for Qatar in the awarding of the 2022 World Cup.

Attribution

Directly implicated

Burzaco described Grondona as one of the principal beneficiaries and power brokers in bribery schemes linked to Copa América rights, referring in particular to multimillion-dollar payments and his influence over other South American officials.

Attribution

Directly implicated

FIFA stated in 2015 that Grondona, then chairman of its Finance Committee, had authorised the transfer of $10 million from funds intended for South Africa to accounts controlled by Jack Warner. US prosecutors described the sum as linked to votes in the awarding of the 2010 World Cup.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Directly implicated

Grondona died in July 2014, almost ten months before the major US FIFAGate indictments. Banking evidence and testimony publicly implicating him emerged principally after his death.

State of the evidence

Documented

Julio Grondona led the Argentine Football Association from 1979 until his death and served on FIFA's executive committee for twenty-six years, eventually becoming senior vice-president and chairman of the Finance Committee.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Under Grondona, AFA concluded the Fútbol para Todos programme with the Argentine state. Years later, prosecutors argued that payment and contractual arrangements had diverted some of the funds away from clubs and towards third parties.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Directly implicated

Tickets issued in the names of Julio and his son Humberto appeared on the secondary market during the 2014 World Cup. Humberto admitted passing some tickets to a friend, after which they reportedly circulated further.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

A few months before his death, Grondona imposed a reform expanding the first-division championship to thirty teams. The plan was adopted without formal opposition despite private reservations among numerous officials and was widely criticised on sporting and financial grounds.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Asked about the absence of Jewish referees in the first division, Grondona expressed an antisemitic stereotype about their supposed desire to avoid difficult situations. DAIA announced legal action under anti-discrimination legislation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated