Chuck Blazer - Former New Rochelle Soccer Parent - Admitted Taking World Cup Bribes

Chuck Blazer, the former New Rochelle youth soccer coach who became a high-ranking FIFA executive, admitted to taking bribes in connection with World Cup soccer bids, according to CBS Sports.

Blazer’s guilty plea with federal prosecutors was recently unsealed, which disclosed his involvement in taking bribes in connection with France’s 1998 winning bid to host the World Cup, and other “bribes and kickbacks” associated with media outlets obtaining broadcast rights.

• Related: Former New Rochelle Youth Soccer Coach at Center of FIFA Scandal

“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,” Blazer recited under oath.

He continued, “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 [another international soccer tournament run by FIFA].”

Blazer also admitted to taking bribes in connection with South Africa’s selection as the host country for the 2010 World Cup.

Federal prosecutors have launched a sweeping investigation into the dealings of FIFA, the world soccer governing body, for which Blazer’s testimony and admissions play a central role.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who was re-elected to the post last week after news of the investigation and indictments were widely reported, resigned from the post yesterday, pending the election of a new president.

Blazer admitted to using email, telephone and wire transfer to facilitate the illegal activity, as well as flying into JFK Airport with monetary checks.

He also admitted to “knowingly and willfully” failing to pay income taxes between 2005 and 2010.

Click here to view the unsealed guilty plea.

Photo: Chuck Blazer via FIFA.com