Chuck Blazer was one of the most powerful men in international soccer - or football, as most of the world knows it. As a member of FIFA’s executive committee, he was among an elite few who managed the World Cup, the globe’s ultimate sporting competition. To his fellow Lords of Soccer, Blazer was loyal; and like many of them, he was utterly corrupt. In November 2011, two federal agents stopped the eccentric sports executive outside his Trump Tower apartment. They offered him a deal - spill the tea on FIFA’s secret world of bribes and money laundering or go to prison for tax fraud. Blazer took the deal, setting in motion the largest international corruption investigation in history.
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06/16/22 • 30 min
8 Listeners
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Lords of Soccer - The Inside Man
Transcript Summary
In this gripping episode titled "The Inside Man," the podcast delves into the fascinating world of international soccer and FIFA's deep-rooted corruption. Discover the shocking tale of Chuck Blazer, an influential figure on FIFA's Executive Committee, and his eventual downfall. From being investigated for corruption to facing charges of tax evasion, Blazer's journey takes an unexpected turn when the FBI offers him a deal: to wear a wire and expose corruption within FIFA. As the story unfolds, listeners witness the intricate web of wealth, power, and corruption woven by Blazer and his partner, Jack Warner. Tune in to unravel the battle for the FIFA presidency, Qatar's controversial World Cup bid, and the gripping outcome of the investigation, which exposed widespread fraud, corruption, and money laundering within FIFA. This thrilling episode sheds light on FIFA's history of human rights violations, allegations of enabling dictators, and racism, revealing the shocking lengths some FIFA executives would go to for personal gain and to maintain their hold on power. Don't miss out on this captivating exploration of the dark side of international soccer.
Transcript
I want you to picture something. Imagine a child somewhere anywhere in the world playing soccer. What do you see?
Speaker 1A girl running drills on a grass soccer pitch, a boy and his friend kicking a ball around an alleyway, or having a game on a dirty, dusty lot. What you probably didn't imagine are men in suits handing out bribes in the form of envelopes full of cash. And why would you That has noth
The Inside Man Top Questions Answered
How did Qatar win the World Cup bid in 2010 despite its lack of soccer infrastructure?
Qatar won the World Cup bid in 2010 through heavy financial backing and strategic planning by Mohammed ben Hamm.
Who orchestrated Qatar's winning bid for the World Cup in 2010?
Mohammed ben Hamm orchestrated Qatar's winning bid for the World Cup in 2010.
How did Jack Warner plan to support Mohammed ben Hamm during the World Cup bid?
Jack Warner planned to support Mohammed ben Hamm during the World Cup bid by bribing Caribbean soccer officials with cash.
Why did Chuck Blazer hesitate to report Jack Warner's bribery to FIFA?
Chuck Blazer hesitated to report Jack Warner's bribery to FIFA due to fear of retaliation and the potential exposure of personal secrets.
What led to the banning of Jack Warner and Mohammed ben Hammam from soccer?
An ethics investigation initiated by Chuck Blazer led to the banning of Jack Warner and Mohammed ben Hammam from soccer.
Who reported Jack Warner's bribery to FIFA, leading to an ethics investigation?
Chuck Blazer reported Jack Warner's bribery to FIFA, which triggered an ethics investigation.
Who eventually got reelected as FIFA's president despite the scandal?
Sepp Blatter was reelected as FIFA's president despite the scandal surrounding the World Cup bid.
Why was Chuck Blazer hailed as a hero in exposing FIFA corruption?
Chuck Blazer, previously corrupt himself, was hailed as a hero for exposing FIFA corruption by reporting Jack Warner's bribery.
Which agencies investigated Chuck Blazer for suspicious payments and tax evasion?
The FBI and IRS investigated Chuck Blazer for suspicious payments and tax evasion.
How did Chuck Blazer become an inside man for the FIFA corruption case?
Chuck Blazer's cooperation with the FBI and IRS, wearing a wire and providing information, made him an inside man for the FIFA corruption case.
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Team Goodpods
@goodpods
Jun 19
Congrats to one of our OG Goodpods users
@conormpowell
on his new podcast! Episode one and we are hooked.
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Garin Jones
@GarinT
Jun 19
@goodpods
this looks fantastic! Subscribed. Thanks for sharing
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Garin Jones
@GarinT
Jun 19
Great show for Dads. I know Dads love sport, crime and rich jerks getting what’s coming to them.
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Conor Powell
@conormpowell
Jun 30
@GarinT
thank you!
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Gary Scott
@garyrobertscott
Sep 24
Jump in the deep end
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Mick Manhattan
@thescenesnobs
Jul 18
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John Thomas Smith
@Mrjohnsmith
Jul 17
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