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South Florida Soccer Fans Disappointed by FIFA Scandal

Turmoil engulfed FIFA with a wave of international arrests Wednesday. Officials calling it the "World Cup of fraud."

The international soccer federation suspended 11 people, all accused of corrupting the game for their own profit.

In South Florida, soccer is a growing sensation, especially with David Beckham's plans to give us an MLS team.

Wednesday's criticism of FIFA was matched not only by soccer fans but kids whose heart is in the game.

More than 24 million people play soccer at some level in the United States.

"I have a love for soccer which is invaluable and everybody loves soccer especially after the World Cup. So now that everybody loves soccer I don't want to see it destroyed," said 11-year-old Paco Prio.

More than 3 million youth players officially registered with U.S. soccer programs in 2014, that's up by 89-percent since 1990. Prio plays for the Coral Gables Toros and even he disapproves of the FIFA soccer scandal that has "un-leveled" the playing field.

"It's a terrible thing to happen because soccer is a beautiful support and to cheat at it there's no point," Prio said.

Soccer fans woke up Wednesday morning to the news of arrests around the globe. And right here in Miami, the FBI searched the headquarters of FIFA's U.S. affiliate.

Fourteen defendants, including sports marketing executives, face corruption charges involving more than $150 million in bribes and kickbacks.

"They corrupted the business of worldwide soccer to serve their interests and enrich themselves," said U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

The probe goes back 20 years. And an indictment names a Miami man, Aaron Davidson, who's allegedly known around the world for his ties to soccer, organized bribes and kickbacks from his office on Brickell Key.

Davidson is chairman of the board of the North American Soccer League and his company used to own the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. He is currently president of Traffic Sports USA on Brickell Key.

"what should have been an expression of international sportsmanship was used as a vehicle to line executives pockets with bribes totaling $110 million, one-third of legitimate costs to the rights to tournaments," Lynch said.

At Pinecrest Community Center, where eager kids try out for new soccer teams, parents said they will turn this example of corruption into a lesson about cheating.

"They have to be punished. We're teaching our kids to play fair, honestly and corruption shouldn't be excepted in any sports or anywhere," said parent, Daniella King.

As for Davidson, prosecutors allege he worked to prevent detection of his illegal activities. He will have to face a judge in Miami before getting transferred to New York. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years behind bars.

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