Chuck Blazer was an incredibly important person in the history of US soccer, although his later years were marred by scandals and crimes. He passed on July 12 at the age of 72. He was heavily involved in US soccer from 1990 to 2015 when he received a lifetime ban from FIFA for corruption.
Blazer was instrumental in getting the US its first World Cup in 1994 when he was CONCACAF’s (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) General Secretary. Shortly after he secured hosting a World Cup for the United States, Blazer became a member of FIFA’s Executive Committee.
In 2013, Blazer was accused of fraud, ranging from mismanagement of millions of dollars to flat out bribery, specifically relating to Morocco’s and South Africa’s World Cup bids from 1998 and 2010, respectively. This fraud had already become known by the United States government because the IRS and FBI noted Blazer failed to pay income tax. Instead of publicly outing him or jailing him, the FBI turned Blazer into an informant in order to gain more information about the corrupt world of international sports. Blazer was instrumental in exposing corruption in other football executives and the London 2012 Olympic officials.
While the FBI certainly appreciated Blazer, FIFA did not. They banned him for the rest of his life in 2015 for his multiple scandals and his past corruption.
Blazer’s lawyers released a statement shortly after his death. It follows below.
“We are truly saddened by the passing of our client and friend, Chuck Blazer. During his twenty years as CONCACAF General Secretary, Chuck Blazer was instrumental in bringing the Federation into the modern age. His misconduct, for which he accepted full responsibility, should not obscure Chuck’s positive impact on international soccer. With Chuck’s guidance and leadership, improvements to all member associations, players, and fans. Throughout his adult life, Chuck felt great pride in his service to soccer. In fact, he devoted thirty years of his life to soccer at all levels of the game, with his involvement ranging from coaching his children’s youth teams to serving on FIFA’s executive committee.
The May 27, 2015, announcement of the Department of Justice’s corruption case involving FIFA and CONCACAF made Chuck Blazer’s important, multi-year cooperation in the investigation public. By assisting the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and the United States Attorneys’ Office for the Eastern District of New York in their joint investigation into the organizations governing international soccer and the companies conducting business with them, Chuch hoped to help bring transparency, accountability and fair play to CONCACAF, FIFA and soccer as a whole.
Chuck also accepted responsibility for his own conduct by pleading guilty and owning up to his mistakes. Chuck felt profound sorrow and regret for his actions. He expressed sincere remorse towards his former constituents and colleagues, and to all of the soccer players and fans disappointed by his conduct.
Chuck Blazer committed much of his life to making the world of soccer a better place for the players and the fans. He will be missed.”
