THE ARRIVAL  of the  FIFA  scandal in Panama has been confirmed with the charging of The former  head of  the country’s Soccer Federation (Fepafut) by US prosecutors for corruption as part of a wider probe into the association that led to charges against 15 others on Thursday, December 3.

Ariel Alberto Alvarado, 56, has been charged with stealing $230,000. The majority of those charged were members of the North American (Concacaf) and South American (Conmebol) soccer federations. Prosecutors said the amount of economic damage caused by the corruption could reach $200 million.

The Panamanian official said that "he is surprised" at  the allegations and said he will fight to clear his name.

According to prosecutors, the former Panamanian official received a $70,000 bribe from the marketing company Traffic Sports USA in June 2010 for the sale of commercial rights for qualifying matches to the 2014 World Cup.

Investigations indicate that Alvarado allegedly received another payment of $60,000 from the same company for the rights to the 2010 World Cup qualifying matches.

A third payment of $100,000 was allegedly made in December 2011 by Full Play Enterprise to obtain the broadcast rights of Concacaf tournaments.

In an email  Alvarado said that he is "convinced that the charges will be cleared. …”I appreciate all the expressions of support and solidarity received from  countless people over  this unfortunate situation "