Conmebol removes Wilmar Valdez from his FIFA Council role

Soccer-Conmebol-president-Wilmar-Valdez-speaks-during-press-conference

Wilmar Valdez talks during the Copa Libertadores draw ceremony. (Jorge Saenz/AP)

SANTIAGO, Chile — Conmebol says it has removed the former head of the Uruguayan soccer federation from his FIFA council role.

South American soccer’s ruling body announced the decision to remove Wilmar Valdez on Friday during a meeting in the Chilean capital. It has named Argentine Football Federation President Claudio Tapia as Valdez’s interim replacement.

Valdez had been on the FIFA role since 2016. He quit the presidency of the Uruguayan soccer federation in July, just a day before he was to stand for re-election amid a scandal over the release of secret audio recordings where he spoke about bribes. Authorities are investigating the case, which has also ensnared other soccer and government officials.

After the scandal broke out, FIFA took control of the Uruguayan soccer federation because of governance concerns as the country campaigns with Argentina and Paraguay to host the 2030 World Cup.

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