Ex-FIFA official Blazer dead at 72

Former top soccer official Chuck Blazer, whose evidence to US investigators helped trigger the FIFA corruption scandal, has died, his lawyers said on Wednesday.

Blazer, who was banned for life from all soccer activities for corruption in 2015, had been battling cancer up to his death. He was 72.

“We are truly saddened by the passing of our client and friend, Chuck Blazer,” his lawyers said in a statement.

“His misconduct, for which he accepted full responsibility, should not obscure his positive impact on soccer.”