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Switzerland approve Li extradition

Basel - Switzerland's justice ministry has granted a US request to extradite former Costa Rican football federation president Eduardo Li on bribery charges.

Li was one of the senior football administrators arrested on May 27 in a dawn raid at a hotel in Zurich, two days before the FIFA congress which elected Joseph Blatter for a fifth term as head of world football's ruling body.

Li is accused "of taking bribes in connection with the sale of marketing rights for World Cup 2018 qualifiers to a US sports marketing company," the Swiss ministry said.

The ministry said all conditions for extradition are fulfilled, specifically that "the facts laid down in the US extradition request are also punishable under Swiss law."

Li had been elected in April by the confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean football associations CONCACAF to join the FIFA executive committee at the May congress.

After his arrest, Li was one of 11 members provisionally suspended by FIFA from all football-related activities.

Li has 30 days to lodge an appeal at Switzerland's federal criminal court.

Swiss justice authorities have already agreed extradition requests for two senior administrators arrested in Zurich, the former FIFA vice-president Eugenio Figueredo of Uruguay, and former Venezuelan football federation president Rafael Esquivel.

One of the seven detainees, fellow former FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb, had already agreed to his extradition.

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