Costa Rica’s Soccer Federation (Fedefutbol) is investigating if the involvement of U.S. businessman, Scott Brannon with the Heredia Soccer Team violates FIFA’s Ethic Code due to his apparent link to online gambling sites.

Costa Rica’s District Attorney, Emilia Navas, confirmed last week that Michael Lawrence Brannon Hutson, also known as Scott Brannon, and David Patey, both U.S. businessmen residing in Costa Rica for over a decade, are part of an open investigation regarding drug trafficking and money laundering.

On Monday, March 12, the now former President of the Heredia Soccer Team, held a press conference in which he affirmed knowing of the open investigation against him, he maintained his innocence and the innocence of this friend Scott Brannon.

During this press conference, Patey reveals (to explain the origin of Brannon’s funds) that Brannon operates a call center in Costa Rica to tend to his gambling operation based in the Asian market.

Based on these statements, the Costa Rican Soccer Federation opened and investigation and requested information from the Heredia Soccer Club, to determine Brannon’s involvement with the soccer team and to confirm Brannon’s link to online gambling sites; these two activities are incompatible, according to the FIFA ethical code.

“There are many things in the statements given by Mr. Patey that have generated concern in the Federation. We cannot refer to this in depth, but there are aspects that are not compatible with the regulations specially the Ethical Code. We are requesting clarification from the Heredia Team”, expressed Rodolfo Villalobos President of Fedefutbol.

David Patey resigned as President of the Heredia Team on Wednesday.