Banned ex-Fifa official Chuck Blazer dies age 72

Former top football official Chuck Blazer has died at 
the age of 72, his lawyers say.

Blazer, whose evidence to US investigators helped trigger 
the Fifa corruption scandal , had been suffering from cancer.

He was a larger-than-life character, and formerly the
 general secretary of Concacaf, the governing body of 
North and Central American football.

In 2013 he pleaded guilty to bribery, money laundering 
and tax evasion.

He was banned from all football activities for life in 2015.

"We are truly saddened by the passing of our client and 
friend, Chuck Blazer," Blazer's lawyers said in a statement.

"His misconduct, for which he accepted full responsibility, should not obscure Chuck's positive impact on international soccer."

The official served on Fifa's executive committee from
1997-2013, during which time he pocketed millions to 
fund a globe-trotting VIP lifestyle.

A 2013 report by Concacaf's integrity committee said
 he had received more than $20.6m (£16m) in 
commissions, fees and rental payments from the 
organisation between 1996 to 2011.

His personal excesses included two apartments in New 
York's Trump Tower, one of which was exclusively for his cats.

In his blog Travels with Chuck Blazer and his Friends... ,
 he was pictured enjoying time with football legends like 
Pele and Bobby Charlton, and other high-profile names like Prince William and Hillary Clinton.

He also introduced readers to his pet parrot , a blue-
and-gold macaw named Max Blazer, even uploading a
 video of the bird dancing on the basket of his mobility 
scooter in New York's Central Park.

His luck ran out when he tried to conceal his income
 after failing to file tax returns from 2005 to 2010.

According to one account, Mr Blazer was arrested 
by the FBI and an Internal Revenue Service official in 
2011 as he rode his scooter to a favourite New York restaurant.

"We can take you away in handcuffs now, or you can cooperate," he was reportedly told.

Mr Blazer made his choice, and agreed to become an informant to help the US government expose corruption
 in football.

His information led to charges against 14 other current or former FIFA officials, and contributed to the downfall of 
Sepp Blatter , the organisation's president.