The FBI has unsealed Chuck Blazer's guilty plea in the FIFA corruption investigation; copy here.
*bribes were involved in the awarding of the 1998 World Cup to France.
During my association with FIFA and C0NCACAF, 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 faciitate the acceptance of a bribe in conjunction with the selection of the host nation for the 1998 World Cup.
*bribes were involved in the awarding of the 2010 World Cup to South Africa.
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
*Good news for South Korea, Japan and Germany: the 2002 and 2006 World Cups aren't mentioned.
*For all of you who are saying "meh" and "why is this a matter for the US": CONCACAF had its HQ in New York during the time in question, and Blazer was its head. And, yes, there were bribes:
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.
Reuters is also reporting that the investigation is also looking ahead as well:
The FBI’s investigation of soccer governing body FIFA includes scrutiny of how the organization awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 competition to Qatar, a US law enforcement official said.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the review of the awards to host the tournament would be part of a probe that is looking beyond the allegations in an indictment announced a week ago of officials of world soccer’s governing body.
Swiss prosecutors said then that they were investigating the 2018 and 2022 bids.
However, AP Reports that other Swiss are circling the wagons around their corrupt friends:
Swiss lawmakers have voted to weaken a bill meant to increase scrutiny of sports bodies such as Fifa.
The proposed law, known as ‘Lex Fifa’ but in the works long before soccer’s governing body was hit by twin graft probes last week, is meant to make it easier for prosecutors to investigate corruption allegations at private organizations.
But Switzerland’s upper house narrowly voted Wednesday to approve an amendment requiring the organization itself to ask for the probe, except in cases where the public interest is at stake.
Critics say this amendment is a hurdle for prosecutors seeking to bring a case, and hope it will be overturned by the lower chamber this fall.