Lion Links: 4/7/20

Happy Tuesday, everybody. Social distancing just got a lot easier for me, as my workplace has announced its campus will be closed indefinitely due to safety concerns. If nothing else I suppose that will give me ample time to clean my apartment. As always there’s plenty to discuss today, so off we go.

Ex-FOX Executives Indicted in FIFA Investigation

Two former FOX marketing executives have been indicted as part of a federal investigation into FIFA. Hernan Lopez and Carlos Martinez have been charged with wire fraud and money laundering. Federal prosecutors said that the two made annual bribes worth millions of dollars in order to obtain rights to the Copa Libertadores, as well as “confidential bidding information” regarding the U.S. rights to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Martinez used to be the chief executive of FOX networks in Latin America, while Lopez is the former head of FOX international channels. The two are facing the possibility of 20 years in jail.

Prosecutors Allege Bribes Influenced Qatar Vote

In addition to the two indictments mentioned above, federal prosecutors have also alleged that bribes and illegal payments influenced the voting process for the 2022 World Cup. While that in itself isn’t a new or shocking accusation, another indictment that was unsealed yesterday provides more details. It alleges that Nicolas Leoz, former president of CONMEBOL, and Ricardo Teixeira, former Brazilian federation president, were both given bribes to vote for Qatar at the 2010 meeting of the FIFA executive committee. It also alleges that former Concacaf president Jack Warner was given a $5 million bribe, and that Rafael Salguero, former president of Guatemala’s federation was promised a $1 million bribe.

Lions Streaming First MLS Match

Orlando City have announced that the club will be streaming its first ever MLS match. This coming Saturday at 7:30 pm you can tune in to watch the Lions take on New York City FC all the way back in March of 2015. Things will look pretty different than the most recent time you saw the Lions in action, with no players that took the field that day wearing purple still on the club’s books. But it’ll still be a fun look at the club’s entrance into the league, as well as a way to escape and relax for 90 minutes. Keep in mind that you do need to be located in the greater Orlando area to be able to tune in and watch.

Son to Complete Service

Tottenham Hotspur have announced that South Korean forward Son Heung-Min will complete his mandatory military service this month while the Premier League is suspended. Son had previously received an exemption from service for being a member of the team that won the 2018 Asian Games. However he still needs to complete a brief stint at basic training as well as perform 544 hours of community service before 2023. The indefinite suspension of the Premier League due to COVID-19 provides the perfect opportunity for Son to do so, as he won’t be missing games or training.

Free Kicks

• Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola’s mother has passed away after contracting COVID-19.
• MLS and NWSL players are joining the Athletes for COVID-19 Relief charity fundraising efforts.
• In a story we covered in yesterday’s links, Aleksandar Prijovic has been sentenced to three months of home detention for violating curfew in Serbia.
• Luke Shaw wants the remainder of the Premier League season cancelled rather than played behind closed doors.

That’ll do it for me today. Y’all stay safe out (or should I say in) there.