South American Soccer Heavyweight Embroiled in FIFA Scandal

The power that Nicolas Leoz had as the long-time leader of South American football is captured by a plaque in front of the headquarters of his previously impenetrable soccer kingdom. Leoz, for decades was essentially untouchable despite corruption allegations and once bragged that only the Vatican enjoyed the same kind of "immunity and total privileges." But the era of grand privileges and immunity for the Leoz's confederation appears to be coming to an end. Leoz, now 86, was one of 14 people indicted by the U.S. Justice Department last week on charges of bribery, racketeering and money-laundering. According to the U.S. indictment, Leoz and other officials accepted $110 million in bribes from a marketing company in exchange for the rights to four editions of Copa America, the South America national team tournament, which starts Thursday in Chile.