Former CONCACAF Exec, Whistleblower Chuck Blazer Dies at Age 72

A lawyer representing Chuck Blazer confirmed to the New York Times the former world soccer executive died.

"His misconduct, for which he accepted full responsibility, should not obscure Chuck's positive impact on international soccer," Blazer's lawyer said in a statement to the New York Times.

Blazer was the general secretary for CONCACAF from 1990 until 2011 and worked on FIFA's executive committee from 1997 to 2013.

In July 2015, FIFA banned Blazer for life following an investigation by the association's ethics committee.

In 2013, Blazer became a whistleblower revealing the extent of FIFA's corruption over the years.

The New York Daily News' Teri Thompson, Mary Papenfuss, Christian Red and Nathaniel Vinton reported in November 2014 that Blazer had worn a wire at the FBI's behest while conversing with members of international soccer organizations.

According to the Guardian's Owen Gibson and Paul Lewis, Blazer also testified during a 2013 trial he and others on FIFA's executive committee accepted bribes in favor of South Africa's bid for the 2010 World Cup, as well as "facilitating the payment of a bribe relating to the 1998 World Cup in France" in Gibson and Lewis' words.

Blazer also admitted to accepting bribes and kickbacks connected to broadcast rights for the Gold Cup—CONCACAF's signature tournament—from 1996 to 2003.

According to the New York Times' Andrew Das, Blazer pleaded guilty to 10 counts of racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering and tax evasion.