Venezuelan Football Federation official suspended!

FIFA has banned a Venezuelan football federation official from the sport for five years and fined him nearly $1 million for financial irregularities. FIFA said in announcing the ruling that Manuel Alvarez was acting as general secretary of the Venezuelan Football Federation when his conduct allowed for the “illegal conduct and misuse” of funds from the federation and FIFA. FIFA’s Ethics Committee accused Alvarez of violating his “duty of loyalty” and “public duties” under its code of ethics. FIFA, which allocates at least $2 million annually to all 211 member associations, did not provide details of the financial irregularities. The ruling can be appealed. It is not yet clear how FIFA will enforce the fine if Alvarez does not return to football. Venezuela is the only team of the 10 teams that make up the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) never to have qualified for a men’s World Cup.