Tegucigalpa (Honduras), Dec 15 (IANS): The former president of Honduras and of the country's football federation Rafael Callejas has turned himself over to the United States authorities to face corruption allegations, according to media reports.

According to Honduran Foreign Minister Arturo Corrales, Callejas travelled on Monday morning to the US to face justice after the FIFA corruption scandal uncovered his alleged participation weeks ago, reports Xinhua.

"Callejas decided to travel to the US and face the legal process in a correct way," said Corrales and added that "under no circumstances was he handcuffed. He travelled under his own will," Corrales said on Monday about Callejas who was the president from 1990-1994.

Corrales also said Callejas "travelled on a private flight" and that neither Honduran nor US authorities were involved. "The flight was paid by a group of friends, who told him this was the best way to help him support his decision," added the minister.

Alfredo Hawit, another former president of the Honduran football federation, was arrested in Switzerland on December 3 within the same investigation.

On the same day, the Honduran government received an extradition request for Callejas from the American authorities.