MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — The head of the Nicaraguan Football Federation says his predecessor Julio Rocha, who was convicted in the United States in a corruption scandal at FIFA, has died. Rocha was 67.
Federation president Manuel Quintanilla says Rocha died on Saturday after an illness he had had "for several months."
Federation spokesman Moises Avalos tells Nueva Radio Ya the former official had cancer.
Rocha was president of the federation from 1987-2012, director of the Central American Soccer Union from 2003-07 and FIFA development director for CONCACAF in 2013-15.
In 2016, he pleaded guilty to taking $150,000 in bribes in exchange for facilitating commercial rights to tournaments and was jailed in the U.S. He was also suspended from soccer for life by FIFA.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Latest: Elliott hits long FG; Falcons lead Eagles 10-9
The Latest: Elliott hits long FG; Falcons lead Eagles 10-9
The Latest: Elliott hits long FG; Falcons lead Eagles 10-9
The Latest: Elliott hits long FG; Falcons lead Eagles 10-9
The Latest: Elliott hits long FG; Falcons lead Eagles 10-9
Donovan coming out of retirement again to play in Mexico
Where's the VAR? Contentious goal denies Southampton in EPL
Where's the VAR? Contentious goal denies Southampton in EPL