Blazer had triggered a series of events in May 2011 when he accused Jack Warner and Mohamed Bin Hammam, the Presidents of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) respecitvely, of being involved in a conspiracy to bribe Caribbean delegates $40,000 (£25,000/€30,000) each to vote for Bin Hammam to replace Sepp Blatter in the election for the Presidency of FIFA. 

It ultimately led to both Warner and Bin Hamman losing their positions as FIFA vice-presidents. 

Warner's acting successor then tried to fire Blazer as general secretary of CONCACAF, which led to more rows and disciplinary action. 

Blazer, who has since resigned as general secretary of CONCACAF, has been a member of the FIFA Executive Committee since 1997.


"It is time for new faces with new energy to take over the responsibility of FIFA's leadership," the 67-year-old Blazer said in a short statement.

Sunil Gulati, President of the United States Soccer Federation, and Justino Compean, President of the Mexican Football Federation, are the favourites to replace Blazer.

The election is due to be held at the CONCACAF Congress in Panama City on April 19, with the winner joining the FIFA Executive Committee at its Congress in Mauritius on May 31.

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