FIFA executive committee member Blazer admitted bribes

[webfact]

FIFA executive committee member Blazer admitted bribes
RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Former FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer told a U.S. federal judge that he and others on the governing body's ruling panel agreed to receive bribes in the votes for the hosts of the 1998 and 2010 World Cups.

Prosecutors unsealed a 40-page transcript Wednesday of the hearing in U.S. District Court on Nov. 25, 2013, when Blazer pleaded guilty to racketeering and other charges.

Four sections of the transcript were redacted by prosecutors, presumably to protect avenues of their investigation.

Blazer, in admitting 10 counts of illegal conduct, told the court of his conduct surrounding the vote that made South Africa the first nation on that continent to host soccer's premier event.

"Beginning in or around 2004 and continuing through 2011, 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," Blazer told U.S. District Judge Raymond J. Dearie.

Blazer was the No. 2 official of soccer's North and Central American and Caribbean region from 1990-2011 and served on FIFA's executive committee from 1997-2013. South Africa defeated Morocco 14-10 in the host vote.

South African Football Association president Molefi Oliphant sent a letter to FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke in 2008 asking FIFA to withhold $10 million from the budget of the 2010 World Cup organizers and to use the money to finance a "Diaspora Legacy Programme" under the control of then CONCACAF President Jack Warner. South Africa Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula denies the money was a bribe and says it was an "aboveboard payment" to help soccer development in Caribbean region.

Blazer also said he was involved in bribes around 1992 in the vote for the 1998 World Cup host, won by France over Morocco 12-7.

Warner was among 14 soccer officials and businessmen named in an indictment announced last week, and those charges said a Moroccan bid representative offered a $1 million bid payment. Blazer, whose guilty plea was made public last week, said he agreed with others "to facilitate the acceptance of a bribe."

He also admitted to corruption involving the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the region's top national team tournament which he helped launch in 1991.

"Beginning in or about 1993 and continuing through the early 2000s, I and others agreed to accept bribes and kickbacks in conjunction with the broadcast and other rights to the 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2003 Gold Cups," Blazer said.

While many of the allegations were made public last week, the transcript of the closed-court hearing in Brooklyn more than 1 1/2 years ago put them in the first-person voice of Blazer, once the most powerful soccer official in the United States. Blazer's allegations have assisted an investigation by U.S. prosecutors, who foresee additional people being charged.

Lawyers on both sides agreed at the time to keep the proceedings from public view to protect the ongoing investigation.

Dearie said prosecutors "identify FIFA and its attendant or related constituent organization as what we call an enterprise, a RICO, enterprise."

"RICO is an acronym for, and don't overreact to this as I am sure most people do, Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization," the judge said.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who has run the governing body since 1998, said Tuesday he will be resigning, an announcement made six days after the indictments were unsealed and four days after he was elected to a fifth term. A new president will be chosen by FIFA's 209 member nations and territories, likely between December and March.

Now 70, Blazer was in a wheelchair at the hearing, according to Dearie. Blazer told the court he had received chemotherapy and radiation for rectal cancer, and he also suffered from diabetes and coronary artery disease.

Blazer forfeited over $1.9 million at the time of his pleas to racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, income tax evasion and failure to file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts. He agreed to pay a second amount to be determined at the time of sentencing.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-06-04

[ezzra]

So Ali baba and his FIFA thieves are spilling the beans now, what a bunch of crooks they are,

I for one, will be elated when Qatar will lose it's rights to host the next soccer cup, Qatar, being

openly the arch enabler and financier of many terrorists groups and rough countries, should

have this distinguished honor to be the host of such event...

[Jingthing]

Is it too late to stop the Russian hosting?

[worgeordie]

I suspect Blatter will use the "I am too old to go to prison" card,

expect to see him in wheelchair,head hanging ,before long,

happening far to often when they get caught.

regards Worgeordie

[Jingthing]

Maybe.

Why won't he run to one of his buddy countries that doesn't have an extradition agreement with the U.S.?

It is richly ironic that the USA not yet a world soccer power, has now entered the big leagues of international soccer via the courtroom.

Edited June 4, 2015 by Jingthing

[RickBradford]

Is it too late to stop the Russian hosting?

In purely practical terms, it can easily be relocated to another country or countries.

It's the political aspect which may be harder.

[smedly]

Is it too late to stop the Russian hosting?

nope - if any wrong doings are uncovered then the whole thing will be scrapped

watch this space for the next chapter

I suspect that Vlatter will be next to spill the beans for some sort of deal that has already been sealed - his resignation was the first step - expect a lot more to come from this sordid debacle

Edited June 4, 2015 by smedly

[RickBradford]

Russia has committed to spending $15 billion to prepare for the 2018 World Cup on building stadiums and related infrastructure. Quite a bit of that has already been spent on some new stadiums.

If the tournament gets pulled, then they're going to demand compensation and if they don't get enough, they'll take it out of somebody's hide, for sure.

[eggers]

Whatever happens to Blatter, who must have been been an active "fief in fifa", will still likely walk away from FIFA with an obscene "leaving the building" payment.

Bet a long serving cleaner would be lucky to get severance pay if fired for some Co. breach!

Corruption is rife around the world; Gov'ts & officials, business execs & employees, sport, you name it....... it's a sad, sick, greedy world !!

[californiabeachboy]

Regarding where Sepp might be able to go, I think he is best to just stay put in Switzerland. Most extradition treaties (including, as I have read, the one between Switzerland and the US), include a provision that a country will not be required to extradite one of its own citizens. Since Sepp is a citizen of Switzerland, they will not send him to the US.

Of course, he could go to Moscow, where his brother Putin would welcome him, and certainly never extradite him to anywhere. But living in Moscow... for Sepp worse than jail.

[stevenl]

Is it too late to stop the Russian hosting?

In purely practical terms, it can easily be relocated to another country or countries.

It's the political aspect which may be harder.

Plus the FA's don't want to relocate, there is no reason for them to do that. Qatar is a different story.

Also, IMO the FA's worldwide scream about corruption now but many, many are complicit and won't care too much. This is just the stick they have available now. The root cause is the WC in Qatar.

[californiabeachboy]

The best part of the Blazer hearing transcript released today. The Judge was having trouble with how to pronounce

"Federation Internationale de Football Association"

"I don't know how you pronounce it," the judge said.

"FIFA, your honour," said Evan M. Norris, and assistant U.S. attorney.

We may not know "soccer", but we know "racketeering"

[lucky11]

Is it too late to stop the Russian hosting?

Yes, it is.

[Baerboxer]

Maybe.

Why won't he run to one of his buddy countries that doesn't have an extradition agreement with the U.S.?

It is richly ironic that the USA not yet a world soccer power, has now entered the big leagues of international soccer via the courtroom.

Got to applaud the US though.

They see corruption in the US FA, the regional level management and follow it through to the top.

FIFA has been known for its corruption for years. No one seemingly had the where with all or balls to do anything about it till now.

Well done America!

[mango66]

Russia has committed to spending $15 billion to prepare for the 2018 World Cup on building stadiums and related infrastructure. Quite a bit of that has already been spent on some new stadiums.

If the tournament gets pulled, then they're going to demand compensation and if they don't get enough, they'll take it out of somebody's hide, for sure.

you mean many nice villas are builded now in Krim for the voters for " Russia "

Therefore they had the pressure to take over the Krim,

to fulfill their obligations to FIFA - and Blatter !!

[fritzzz25]

Russia has committed to spending $15 billion to prepare for the 2018 World Cup on building stadiums and related infrastructure. Quite a bit of that has already been spent on some new stadiums.

If the tournament gets pulled, then they're going to demand compensation and if they don't get enough, they'll take it out of somebody's hide, for sure.

Not a big deal to Vlad and his cronies. Wasn't the Sochi cost over 50 billion?

[RickBradford]

Russia has committed to spending $15 billion to prepare for the 2018 World Cup on building stadiums and related infrastructure. Quite a bit of that has already been spent on some new stadiums.

If the tournament gets pulled, then they're going to demand compensation and if they don't get enough, they'll take it out of somebody's hide, for sure.

Not a big deal to Vlad and his cronies. Wasn't the Sochi cost over 50 billion?

Financially not a big deal, maybe.

But Putin's every move is predicated on showing himself as a strong leader of a strong Russia which cannot be pushed around by the West. Taking the World Cup off him would be a serious humiliation and loss of face which he would have to react strongly to.

He's already called the FBI investigation “yet another blatant attempt [by the United States] to extend its jurisdiction to other states.”

It's all part of the global (political) game and Putin's zero-sum view of that game.

EDIT: Interesting article on Putin, Russia and FIFA at http://www.newsweek.com/why-putin-leapt-fifas-defense-338534

Edited June 4, 2015 by RickBradford

[Basil B]

Russia has committed to spending $15 billion to prepare for the 2018 World Cup on building stadiums and related infrastructure. Quite a bit of that has already been spent on some new stadiums.

If the tournament gets pulled, then they're going to demand compensation and if they don't get enough, they'll take it out of somebody's hide, for sure.

"Quite a bit of that has already been spent on some new stadiums." dose that $15 billion include "Other Payments"

If it is proved they bribed FIFA officials, good, pull it, let Putin explain to the Russians how corrupt Russia is.

Is it too late to stop the Russian hosting?

I am sure we could hold it in the UK at short notice, and I am sure their are many other countries that could too, maybe that what the yanks have in mind... but then how many Americans know how to play real football as played by the rest of the world.

Edited June 4, 2015 by Basil B

[RickBradford]

but then how many Americans know how to play real football as played by the rest of the world.

Many tens of millions. And they have quality as well.

England has never beaten the US in a competitive (as opposed to friendly) football international, with a World Cup record of 0-1-1.

Plus, the US Women's team has been world champions twice while the English women's team has never made it past the quarter finals.

Edited June 4, 2015 by RickBradford

[geriatrickid]

The European and South American teams have always been the big draw to FIFA in regard to the sponsors, and it is the sponsors money which has fueled the corruption. These are also the FAs who object the most to Qatar hosting. I note that FOX paid US $450 million for broadcast rights and has been adamant that the time period for the WC not change.

I think that whether or not Qatar or Russia keep the games will depend on the sponsors. it's nice to have the votes from Africa and Russian allies, but Visa card users tend to be in the Americas, Europe and developed Asia. The same for Coke, and Adidas products. Africans aren't buying Adidas, but usually are purchasing Chinese and local counterfeit products. When consumers pay for their broadcasts of the games, more often than not, the signals will be stolen in parts of Asia and Africa as well as poorer parts of the Americas. What will count are the consumers and how they feel, and I have a feeling that the games will be moved for Qatar 85% and for Russia 50%. For political reasons, an alternative site from either South America or Africa will be used. I wouldn't be surprised to see Brazil asked to take on the cup. I would expect that England or Italy will be in the running as alternative venues as it was the English and Italian FAs that were very vocal about the corruption, while the rest of the Continent stayed quiet.

[Andaman Al]

Well it is all going to get mighty interesting !

http://www.aol.com/article/2015/06/04/former-fifa-vp-warner-makes-televised-address-in-trinidad/21191152/

[SheungWan]

Blatter is still in the building. While he is, the fat lady hasn't sung yet although there is the pleasant sound of a practice aria wafting through.

[Basil B]

BBC shows details of $10,000,000 USD sent to Jack Warner, The money, sent on behalf of South Africa, was meant to be used for its Caribbean diaspora legacy programme.

obviously some dyslexic read it as the "Caribbean disappear legacy programme".

[Chicog]

Regarding where Sepp might be able to go, I think he is best to just stay put in Switzerland. Most extradition treaties (including, as I have read, the one between Switzerland and the US), include a provision that a country will not be required to extradite one of its own citizens. Since Sepp is a citizen of Switzerland, they will not send him to the US.

Of course, he could go to Moscow, where his brother Putin would welcome him, and certainly never extradite him to anywhere. But living in Moscow... for Sepp worse than jail.

The US can ask Switzerland to go ahead with criminal proceedings on its behalf.

The Swiss don't seem too resistant so far.

[Aforek]

Is it too late to stop the Russian hosting?

Yes, it is.

It's decided 6 years in advance , like Olympics games ( time to builds stadiums and infrastructures )

The newspaper " Zeit " says that in 2000, German government has asked Saoudi Arabia to vote for Germany ( world cup 2006 ) in exchange of rocket launcher livraison , and German societies ( Bayer and Volkswagen ) had promise to invest in Thailand and South Korea in exchange of Asian Fifa excutives support

at the end, Germany was the host of the world cup 2006 ( 12 voices vs 11 voices )