OMNISPORT 

FIFA Ethics Committee member Juan Pedro Damiani has denied having a business relationship with Eugenio Figueredo, a former vice-president of world football's governing body being held on corruption charges.

On Sunday, FIFA confirmed it had opened a preliminary internal investigation into alleged links between Uruguayan lawyer Damiani and Figueredo, the former head of CONMEBOL who was arrested and charged with wire fraud and money laundering in Zurich last May as part of the U.S.-led inquiry into football corruption.

FIFA's announcement - which made no suggestion of any illegal activity on Damiani's part - came in the aftermath of the leak of the so-called "Panama Papers," which were widely reported to have revealed a business relationship between the pair.

However, when contacted by Omnisport, Damiani denied he had had any professional dealings with Figueredo.

"Our firm did not maintain any business relationship or conduct business with or for Mr. Eugenio Figueredo, nor for any of the other persons mentioned in the newspaper article," a statement from Damiani read.

Damiani, who is president of Uruguayan club Penarol, went on to state that he could not offer further comment on his relationship with Figueredo, as he is a complainant in a separate case involving the 84-year-old in his homeland.

"Maybe it's precisely why, for having the courage to denounce [Figueredo], that there are people interested in damaging my reputation and good name with accusations that are as false as [they are] unfair," his statement continued.

"In any case, those who do, must meet time before the competent courts for their slander. I reiterate that our firm has no professional or business relationship with all the persons mentioned."