Paraguayan court upholds extradition order for ex-CONMEBOL chief

Asuncion, May 9 (IANS) A Paraguayan appeals court has upheld a decision to extradite the former president of the South American football confederation (CONMEBOL) Nicolas Leoz to the United States to face corruption charges.

A three-judge panel ratified a November court ruling that paved the way for Leoz's extradition to face accusations that he accepted bribes for broadcast and marketing rights, reports Xinhua news agency.

Leoz's defence lawyers said they planned to appeal the decision in the country's supreme court. 

The 89-year-old has been under house arrest since mid-2015 when he was among dozens of football officials indicted by the US Justice Department as part of a wide-ranging football graft probe.

Leoz was CONMEBOL president for 27 years before resigning in 2013 due to ill health. He was also a former FIFA executive committee member.