Swiss authorities agree to extradite FIFA official Julio Rocha to the United States 

• Julio Rocha was one of seven FIFA officials arrested in Zurich in May
• The former Nicaraguan FA president was detained in Switzerland
• Swiss authorities have agreed to extradite Rocha to the United States 

By Pa Reporter

Published: 17:52 EST, 15 October 2015 | Updated: 18:04 EST, 15 October 2015

The Swiss Federal Department of Justice (FOJ) has approved the extradition of Julio Rocha to the United States and subsequent extradition to Nicaragua.

Rocha was one of seven FIFA officials arrested in Zurich in May on corruption charges, and has been detained in Switzerland since.

The FOJ said on Thursday night that the extradition request from the US, which had been lodged on July 1, had been approved.

Julio Rocha (left) pictured with controversial FIFA president Sepp Blatter (right) in October 2015

The Nicaraguan request was made on August 10 - to which Rocha agreed - but he must first go to the US.

The FOJ said in a statement: 'The US authorities have been conducting wide-ranging criminal proceedings against a number of individuals for some time now. 

'These individuals are already in the USA, or are to be extradited to the USA.'

Rocha, formerly president of the Nicaraguan Football Association and a FIFA development officer, is accused of demanding and taking bribes in connection with World Cup media rights marketing.

Rocha has 30 days to appeal against the extradition ruling. 

Rocha (left) was one of seven FIFA officials arrested in Zurich in May on corruption charges

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