Former FIFA official Chuck Blazer told US prosecutors that he and other FIFA Executives took bribes in connection with the 1998 and 2010 World Cups.
A former FIFA executive committee member, Blazer confessed to taking bribes in connection with the votes on the two World Cup hosts, the 1998 and 2010 that was awarded to South Africa.
This is according to a transcript released Wednesday of his November 2013 plea hearing in a US court.
According to the transcript released by prosecutors in the US, Blazer said: “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.”
At that time, Chuck Blazer agreed to plead guilty of racketeering and other charges.
Blazer’s guilty plea was kept secret until May 27, apparently allowing him to testify before a US grand jury against some of the nine FIFA officials and five others indicted last week in the United States in an investigation of bribery and corruption in the world football organization.
US prosecutors are investigating 14 FIFA executives for corruption a case that has forced Fifa president Sepp Blatter to resign.
The 14 indicted officials face charges of bribery, racketeering and money laundering. Four others had already been charged, including Mr Blazer.
US prosecutors are alleging that they accepted bribes and kickbacks estimated at more than $150m over a 24-year period.
The latest revelation comes as the FBI’s investigation surrounding FIFA has now expanded to include the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, according to reports.
