Bolivian soccer official arrested during World Cup qualifier

Bolivian investigators arrested interim president of country's soccer federation during a South American World Cup qualifying match.

Marcos Rodríguez is accused of corruption and was taken into custody at Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz, where Bolivia lost 3-2 to Ecuador on Thursday. Local media broadcast a video showing Rodríguez being escorted by police during halftime.

Rolando Aramayo, who is on executive committee of Bolivia's football federation, confirmed arrest to radio Fides.

“This an excess, but I won’t make more comments,” Aramayo said, adding that meeting to elect new president, scheduled for Friday, is w uncertain.

Rodríguez has been in role on an interim basis since federation's president César Salinas died of COVID-19 in July.

Local media reported police tried to arrest Rodríguez at hotel where election will take place, but he had already left for stadium.

Bolivian soccer is in crisis, with club executives fighting over power in federation. country's national championship has been suspended since March because of COVID-19 pandemic and was t allowed to restart because of those disputes.

Im credits: AP