Conmebol removes Wilmar Valdez from his FIFA Council role

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SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — South American soccer's governing body has removed the former head of the Uruguayan federation from his FIFA Council role.

CONMEBOL announced the decision to remove Wilmar Valdez on Friday during a meeting in the Chilean capital. It announced Argentine Football Federation President Claudio Tapia as Valdez's interim replacement.

Valdez had been on the FIFA Council since 2016. He quit the presidency of the Uruguayan federation in July, a day before he was to stand for re-election, after the release of audio recordings in which he spoke about bribes. Authorities are investigating the case, which also involves other soccer and government officials.

FIFA took control of the Uruguayan federation because of governance concerns. The federation is campaigning with Argentina and Paraguay on a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.