‘I don't know how you pronounce FIFA,’ says judge in Chuck Blazer case
U.S. District Judge Dearie was stumped by the acronym of football's governing body
New York: FIFA (FEE'-fuh) may be famous throughout the world. But in the Brooklyn court room of U.S. District Judge Raymond J. Dearie, not so much.
During the November plea hearing of former FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer, Dearie told the defendant: "There are 10 charges, if I am not mistaken, 10 charges in total."
Blazer, the former No. 2 of soccer's governing body in North and Central America and the Caribbean, responded: "That is correct," according to a transcript unsealed Wednesday.
Dearie then was stumped by the acronym used by the Federation Internationale de Football Association, soccer's world governing body.
"I don't know how you pronounce it," the judge said.
"FIFA, your honour," said Evan M. Norris, and assistant U.S. attorney.