SANTIAGO: The president of the Chilean Football Association, Sergio Jadue, has travelled to the US as a protected witness of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as part of its continuing investigation into corruption within FIFA, the global football governing body, the Chilean media reported.
"Jadue travelled as a protected witness of the American justice system. Nobody going on holiday gets a three-month visa, according to the ANFP (Chilean Football Association)," stated the daily El Mercurio on Wednesday.
Jadue travelled, accompanied by a Chilean police escort, as the Chilean team was facing off against Uruguay in Montevideo, Xinhua news agency reported.
Although Jadue travelled with his family, it seems the move came as a complete surprise to many in the Chilean football world.
"This is not a holiday. His return ticket is for May 10 of next year," added the daily.
Jadue had already gone surprisingly to the US last week but stated it had been to receive medical treatment upon his return to Chile.
Furthermore, the ANFP confirmed on Wednesday that Jadue had left his position with the organization.
"Last Thursday, upon the return of Jadue to the country, we asked him for an urgent and extraordinary meeting to clear up the questions concerning his participation in the American investigation," stated Jaime Baeza, ANFP's interim president.
According to Baeza, Jadue was unable to answer the ANFP's worries and the organization decided to remove him for the "good of Chilean football".