Former FIFA heavyweight Charles Blazer has admitted to a US federal judge that he was amongst several football administrators who accepted bribes for the hosting rights of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Blazer, who served on the executive committee of the world football governing body and in the CONCACAF body, admitted to accepting bribes in regards to the World Cups in France 1998 and South Africa’s tournament four years ago.
This contradicts yesterday’s statement from South Africa’s sports minister Fikile Mbalula, who claimed a $10 million payment to CONCACAF in the wake of the country’s successful 2010 bid was ‘above board’ and in no way constituted a bribe.
“From 1997 through 2013, I served as a FIFA executive committee member. One of my responsibilities in that role was participating in the selection of the host countries for the World Cup,” said Glazer.
“I also served as General Secretary of CONCACAF from 1990 through December of 2011, and was responsible for, among other things, participating in the negotiations for sponsorship and media rights.
“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.
“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.
“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.