Former FIFA boss admits taking bribe to back South Africas World Cup bid

Former FIFA executive Chuck Blazer has admitted taking a bribe to back South Africa’s bid to host the 2010 World Cup.

The man nicknamed “Mr 10%” admitted to a catalogue of corruption in a guilty plea to a US federal judge, and incriminated other top official in his secret 2013 evidence which has just been released.

The publication of Blazer’s plea bargain confession will only serve to fuel the growing corruption scandal gripping FIFA.

The 70-year-old has been a key informant for the FBI’s bribery investigation into football’s governing body, which has been extended to look into the awarding of the World Cup to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.

In his evidence, which has been partially redacted, Blazer also said he had been involved along with others in accepting a bribe over the selection of the host nation for the 1998 World Cup – which was eventually won by France.

And he confessed to taking “bribes and kickbacks” over a number of years in connection with the broadcast and other rights relating to five regional Gold Cup tournaments staged between 1996 and 2003 by the North America, Central America, and the Caribbean confederation (CONCACAF).

Blazer said: “During my association with FIFA and CONCACAF, among other things, I and others agreed that I or a co-conspirator would commit at least two acts of racketeering activity.

“Among other things, I agreed with other persons in or around 1992 to facilitate the acceptance of a bribe in conjunction with the selection of the host nation for the 1998 World Cup.”

Charges announced by a US prosecutor

“I and others on the FIFA executive committee agreed to accept bribes in conjunction with the selection of South Africa as the host nation for the 2010 World Cup.

“Among other things, my actions described above had common participants and results.”

It is alleged South Africa paid a $10m (£6.5m) bribe to secure the right to host the 2010 tournament.

The country has admitted the payment but claimed it was a donation to support football development in the Caribbean.

Blazer also admitted to committing tax evasion and to working with others to transfer the money between accounts in an effort to conceal the kickback schemes.

“I knew my actions were wrong at the time,” he said.

Russia and Qatar have denied any wrongdoing over their bids for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, which were not the subject of charges announced by US prosecutors a week ago against FIFA officials, which plunged the organisation into the worst crisis in its history.

It is reported the FBI is also investigating long-serving FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who announcing his shock resignation on Tuesday shortly before it emerged he was the subject of an inquiry.

The US authorities said last week they were investigating a case of $150m (£98m) paid in bribes over two decades, which has already led to the arrest of several FIFA officials in Zurich.

Swiss prosecutors are also carrying out their own criminal inquiry into the 2018 and 2022 bids.

Courtesy: SkySports