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Former FIFA vice president to reveal 'avalanche' of evidence

A former FIFA vice president has said he will prove a link between world football's governing bod...



Former FIFA vice president to...
Soccer

Former FIFA vice president to reveal 'avalanche' of evidence

A former FIFA vice president has said he will prove a link between world football's governing body and the 2010 Trinidad and Tobago national election.

Jack Warner, who made his remarks during a paid-for party political address, also claimed he has evidence linking embattled President Sepp Blatter to the scandal.

"I will no longer keep secrets for them who actively seek to destroy the country," he said.

During the address, Mr Warner, who is one of 14 people indicted on charges of racketeering, fraud and money laundering, said: "I reasonably actually fear for my life."

He added: "I apologise for not disclosing my knowledge of these events before."

He told the audience at the rally in Trinidad he had compiled "reams" of documents that would be passed on to his lawyers.

"Not even death will stop the avalanche that is coming," added Mr Warner, who denies any wrongdoing.

"The die is cast. There can be no turning back. Let the chips fall where they fall."

The revelations come just a few hours after it was revealed former FIFA executive Chuck Blazer admitted taking a bribe to back South Africa's bid to host the 2010 World Cup.

He admitted to a catalogue of corruption in a guilty plea to a US federal judge, and incriminated other top officials in his secret 2013 evidence, which has just been released.

The 70-year-old has been a key informant for the FBI's bribery investigation into FIFA, which has been extended to look into the awarding of the World Cup to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.

Bribes and kickbacks

In his evidence, which has been partially redacted, Blazer also said he had been involved along with others in accepting a bribe over the selection of the host nation for the 1998 World Cup - which was eventually won by France.

And he confessed to taking "bribes and kickbacks" over a number of years in connection with the broadcast and other rights relating to five regional Gold Cup tournaments staged between 1996 and 2003 by the North America, Central America, and the Caribbean confederation (CONCACAF).

Blazer said: "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."

He went on: "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.

"Among other things, my actions described above had common participants and results."

It is alleged South Africa paid a $10m bribe to secure the right to host the 2010 tournament.

The country has admitted the payment but claimed it was a donation to support football development in the Caribbean.

Blazer also admitted to committing tax evasion and to working with others to transfer the money between accounts in an effort to conceal the kickback schemes.

Russia and Qatar have denied any wrongdoing over their bids, which were not the subject of the charges announced by US prosecutors last week.

David Beckham has described the FIFA corruption scandal as "despicable, unacceptable and awful".

The former England captain said he was left with a "sick feeling" after being misled by FIFA executive committee members who pledged their support for the Football Association's bid to host the 2018 tournament.

The scandal claimed its biggest name on Tuesday when Mr Blatter (79) announced he would resign - just days after he was re-elected to serve a fifth term.

Mr Blatter, who has been the head of FIFA for 17 years, is reportedly being investigated by US authorities probing the allegations.

He denies any wrongdoing.

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