By Duncan Mackay

Chuck BlazerMay 6 - American Chuck Blazer has been provisionally banned from the FIFA Executive Committee, it was announced today. 


Blazer, who stepped down last year as general secretary of Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), has been accused of misappropriating the federation's funds for his personal use.

The decision to suspend the 68-year-old Blazer, who is due to step down from FIFA's Executive Committee on May 31, was taken by the chairman of the world governing body's Ethics Committee, Hans-Joachim Eckert.

CONCACAF's Integrity Committee reported last month that Blazer had $20 million (£13 million/€15 million) in compensation from the governing body, including $17 million (£11 million/€13 million) in commission while he was general secretary.

"The chairman of the adjudicatory chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee, Hans-Joachim Eckert, has decided to provisionally ban FIFA Executive Committee member Chuck Blazer from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level for a maximum period of 90 days," said FIFA in a statement.

"The decision was taken following a request made by the acting deputy chairman of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee, Robert Torres, based on the fact that various breaches of the FIFA Code of Ethics appear to have been committed by Chuck Blazer and that a decision on the main issue could not be taken early enough.

"The investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee previously opened investigation proceedings against Chuck Blazer in response to the final report of the CONCACAF Integrity Committee.

"The CONCACAF general secretary, Enrique Sanz, asked FIFA to assume jurisdiction in 'view of the serious alleged misconduct' and the implications for FIFA.

"The chairman of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee, Michael J Garcia, declined to participate in this investigation due to the fact that he holds the same nationality as Chuck Blazer."

Chuck Blazer with Jack WarnerChuck Blazer's decision to blow the whistle on Jack Warner (right) triggered the current crisis at FIFA

Blazer resigned from his post in CONCACAF last year after accusing then-President Jack Warner and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Mohamed Bin Hammam of trying to bribe Caribbean delegates to vote for Bin Hammam in FIFA's Presidential election.

Blazer's accusations triggered the downfall of Bin Hammam, the resignation of Warner as a FIFA vice-president and CONCACAF leader, and sanctions against several Caribbean football officials.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
April 2013: Warner and Blazer accused of being "fraudulent" by CONCACAF report