(MENAFN- AFP) An Argentine judge Thursday ordered the arrest of three businessmen sought by the United States in its probe of corruption at FIFA, warning they will be considered fugitives if they fail to present themselves.
Argentine sports marketing entrepreneurs Alejandro Burzaco, Hugo Jinkis and his son Mariano Jinkis were among the 14 football officials and businessmen indicted Wednesday in the US investigation into massive graft at world football's governing body.
After the United States asked Argentina to arrest them, their lawyers requested that they be allowed to remain free on condition they present themselves voluntarily for extradition proceedings.
Judge Marcelo Martinez de Giorgi rejected that request and said Argentina would declare them "fugitives" if they failed to appear.
The decision can still be appealed.
Argentine prosecutors meanwhile said they have launched their own investigation of the three businessmen for tax fraud, racketeering and money laundering.
The men's whereabouts are unknown, Argentine officials said.
Burzaco had tweeted Tuesday from London that he was on his way to "the world of FIFA" in Zurich, where world football's executive heavyweights have gathered this week for a meeting and elections.
Burzaco, 50, is the controlling principal of sports marketing firm Torneos y Competencias.
The company managed the TV rights to the Argentine championship from 1992 to 2009 and, in partnership with US national Aaron Davidson -- who was arrested Wednesday in Zurich -- holds the TV rights to this year's Copa America in Chile.
Hugo Jinkis, 70, and Mariano, 40, are the controlling principals of sports marketing firm Full Play, which held the TV rights to South America's World Cup qualifying matches.
The two firms, along with Davidson's Traffic Sports USA, also jointly manage the TV broadcasts of the upcoming Copa America, which kicks off next month.
The US indictment alleges long-running corruption in the awarding of TV broadcast rights, hosting privileges and other lucrative deals linked to global football tournaments, with bribes totaling more than $150 million.
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