Net closes on senior FIFA leaders

US prosecutors have detailed evidence of corruption at the highest levels of FIFA, tainting the award of hosting rights to the 1998 and 2010 World Cups, as police investigations spread June 3 to Australia.

Testimony from disgraced former North American football supremo Chuck Blazer said that FIFA executives conspired to accept bribes during the bidding for the 1998 and 2010 cups, hosted by France and South Africa.

Blazer's testimony, shown in unsealed court documents, is a key plank in the US investigation against FIFA, which federal prosecutors are pursuing as a "Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization."

The revelation comes after the sensational resignation of veteran FIFA chief Sepp Blatter, who received a standing ovation during an emotional appearance in front of his staff on June 3.

Blazer - who is presently out on bail and being treated for rectal cancer - has admitted to a raft of charges related to his leadership of the North and Central American football body CONCACAF and membership of FIFA's executive committee.

In a plea deal with US prosecutors, the 70-year-old agreed to wear a microphone and record conversations with fellow FIFA executives.

In the papers released, the other FIFA members identified as co-conspirators are not named.

"Among other things, I agreed with other persons in or around 1992 to facilitate the acceptance of a bribe in conjunction with the selection of the host nation for the 1998 World Cup," Blazer said in his plea.

France eventually beat Morocco in the bidding to stage that tournament. Another court document, detailing the charges, says that Blazer was present when a co-conspirator accepted a bribe in Morocco.

Blazer goes on to admit that he and ...