On 9 July Zurich-based FIFA  banned Chuck Blazer, a central figure in the corruption scandal that has engulfed world football, for life for taking millions of dollars in bribes. ‘Mr Blazer committed many and various acts of misconduct continuously and repeatedly during his time as an official in different high-ranking and influential positions at FIFA and Concacaf,’ said a statement announcing the ban from all football-related activities. ‘In his position as a football official, he was a key player in schemes involving the offer, acceptance, payment and receipt of undisclosed and illegal payments, bribes and kickbacks as well as other money-making schemes.’ The one-time powerbroker of North American football is a former ally of Fifa leader Sepp Blatter, who has agreed to step down because of controversy over US and Swiss investigations into the world body and World Cup tournaments.