Ex-FIFA official accused of taking $10m bribe to influence World Cup host nation ordered to pay $79m in damages by US court

A former FIFA official accused of taking $10m bribe to influence World Cup host nation ballot has been ordered to pay $79m in damages by US court.

U.S. District Judge William Kuntz ordered the default judgment against Jack Warner who is fighting extradition in the 2017 civil action accusing him of embezzling tens of millions of dollars from the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football. 

The written ruling was issued in federal court in Brooklyn after Warner failed to contest the claim.

Plaintiff lawyer John Kuster said in a statement Wednesday that the soccer association 'intends to pursue all available avenues to enforce the judgment in any jurisdiction where CONCACAF has reason to believe Mr. Warner may have assets,'

The suit filed against Warner, 76, accused him and Chuck Blazer, another soccer official who died after it was filed, of negotiating bribes and kickbacks in connection with lucrative broadcasting rights for tournaments including the confederation's Gold Cup championship.

It was also claimed in the suit that while Warner and Blazer were members of FIFA's executive committee, they took a $10 million payment to influence voting on which country should host the World Cup.

Warner 'agreed to provide Blazer with $1 million out of the $10 million bribe,' according to the suit.

'Unsurprisingly, when the FIFA Executive Committee vote was held on May 15, 2004, South Africa was selected over Morocco to host the 2010 World Cup. Warner and Blazer both voted for South Africa.'

Blazer's estate agreed earlier this year to pay $20 million in damages in the civil case.

Warner's sons, Daryll and Daryan, pleaded guilty to fraud charges in the criminal case in 2013 as part of a cooperation deal. They're both out on bail with travel restrictions within the U.S. and are awaiting sentencing.