FORMER CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb believed taking bribes was just part and parcel of football business, plea transcripts released by a U.S. judge have revealed.On Monday the court released the guilty pleas of Webb, Argentinian-Italian marketing executive Alejandro Burzaco and Brazilian intermediary Jose Margulies, three of the 40 officials facing charges that range from money-laundering to racketeering.
For his part Webb, who pleaded guilty last year and has been living under house arrest since, admitted to regretting the transactions but saw it as commonplace in world football.
“I abused my position to obtain bribes and kickbacks for my personal benefit. I believed that such offers were common in this business. I deeply regret my participation in this illegal conduct,” Webb was quoted as saying by the AFP.
In the plea, Webb also revealed that he received bribes for the sale of commercial rights for the FIFA World Cup 2018, which will be held in Russia and also for FIFA World Cup qualifying matches for the 2022 edition.
Webb also received payments for tournaments in 2012, 2013 and 2014, including the Copa America Centenario, which will be played in the United States this summer.

(Sportsmax.com)