When Brazilian Football Confederation president Marco Polo Del Nero was pictured aboard his yacht being kissed by a young model, he could never have imagined the photo would become part of a corruption investigation into South American football.
A year later, that kiss has vanished from the Instagram page of Katherine Fontenele, the 24-year-old model whose nude photo had recently graced the cover of Brazilian men's magazine Sexy.
But the Internet never forgets, and the snapshot has come back to haunt the 74-year-old football honcho, who was one of 16 people indicted by US authorities this month in the spiralling corruption scandal shaking FIFA.
That love birds' outing on his 16-meter (52-foot) yacht returned from the past when a Brazilian Senate commission carrying out its own investigation into dirty dealings in the national sport announced it was requesting access to the bank and telephone records of Del Nero's ex-girlfriends.
Lawmakers suspect the yacht, My Way -- which Del Nero was fond of using for champagne-soaked outings with girlfriends a third of his age -- was purchased with bribes from sports marketing company Klefer, which is now in the cross-hairs of both the US and Brazilian investigations.
"Everybody saw the luxurious lives they lived," Brazilian sports journalist Juca Kfouri said of the men who run the so-called "beautiful game" here.
"They flew around in private planes, jets, helicopters. They had mansions in the best neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro... Nobody ever doubted where that money was coming from."
Fifth Avenue prison
Del Nero's wealth has allegedly expanded immensely since 2012, the year his ally Jose Maria Marin took over as CBF president.
Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo recently reported his real estate holdings have expanded by 175 percent since the arrival of Marin -- who was himself indicted by US authorities in May, paving the way for Del Nero to succeed him.
Del Nero has so far escaped arrest -- unlike the 83-year-old Marin, who was nabbed in a Zurich luxury hotel.
Marin, who was extradited to New York and released on $15 million (13.7 million euros) bail, is currently under house arrest at his apartment in the swank Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Del Nero for his part was forced to resign from FIFA's executive committee and take leave from the CBF.
"The presidents of the CBF never hid their lifestyles. They believed the impunity they enjoyed for so many years would last forever. It's disgraceful for the Brazilian authorities that the FBI had to come and investigate," said Kfouri.
The master of turning power to wealth in the footballing world is Ricardo Teixeira, the CBF's president for 23 years and another of the 16 Latin American football officials indicted this month.
"If you had to define 'craftiness,' in the good sense of the word, you'd point to Ricardo Teixeira," his ex-father-in-law, long-time FIFA president Joao Havelange, once said of him.
Teixeira, who moved to a $7.5-million mansion in Miami after standing down as CBF president in 2012, is now back in Brazil, which does not extradite its citizens.
Tarnished glory
But the excesses weren't limited to Brazil.
Of the 10 South American football federation presidents in office in 2013, just one has not been implicated in corruption by the FBI: Uruguay's Sebastian Bauza.
The last three presidents of South American confederation CONMEBOL have all been arrested in the probe, along with the presidents or former presidents of the Venezuelan, Bolivian, Peruvian and Ecuadoran federations.
Those targeted include Chilean federation ex-president Sergio Jadue, who is collaborating with US investigators after leaving the country under police escort.
He left behind a new $700,000 mansion and a meteoric rise that took him from the front office of a humble local club to the vice presidency of CONMEBOL.
Also cooperating with the Americans is Luis Bedoya, the "tsar" of Colombian football, a former clothing salesman who bought a dozen luxury properties during the nine years he led the Colombian Football Federation, according to a report by a local news magazine.
South Americans are meanwhile left hoping their next generation of football leadership will restore the tarnished glory of a continent that has won nine World Cups and whose stars continue to light up the best leagues in the world.
AFP
Wed Dec 23 2015
Del Nero speaks during a public hearing of the parlamentary commission investigating the corruption in the CBF, in BrasIlia, on Dec 16, 2015. - AFP Photo/Andressa Anholete
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.