NZ Soccer administrator Charlie Dempsey dies
Updated
![Charlie Dempsey gained noteriety when in 2000 he decided not to cast his vote at a FIFA congress, because he didn't want to make enemies. [Getty Images]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/nz_charliedempsey_100700_getty.jpg "Charlie Dempsey gained noteriety when in 2000 he decided not to cast his vote at a FIFA congress, because he didn't want to make enemies. [Getty Images]")
Charlie Dempsey gained noteriety when in 2000 he decided not to cast his vote at a FIFA congress, because he didn't want to make enemies. [Getty Images]
A New Zealand Soccer administrator, who gained world wide notoriety in ensuring Germany won the 2006 World Cup, died in Auckland, Tuesday.
Charlie Dempsey gained world wide noteriety in international soccer circles when in 2000 he decided not to cast his vote at a FIFA congress, because he didn't want to make enemies.
His integrity was questioned as he'd gone against Oceania Football Confederation wishes, and he was public enemy number one for the losing bid country, South Africa.
Germany had its tongue firmly in cheek when it paid special tribute to him on the opening day of the 2006 World Cup.
Dempsey claimed he received threats and bribes not to vote for South Africa - the New Zealander of Scottish origins didn't give names, thereby forever tarnishing a reputation he'd built over 36 years.
Dempsey was elected president of the OFC in 1992, and onto the FIFA executive in 1996, four years later abstaining from the vote, handing Germany the 2006 World Cup.
He was head of the New Zealand Football Association (now Soccer New Zealand) when the country competed for the first time in the World Cup finals in 1982 in Spain.
As an administrator he has achieved success in the awarding of the world under-17 finals to New Zealand last year.
He was a close friend of former FIFA president Joao Havelange and clocked up thousands of air miles in promoting the cause of Oceania, since joining Fifa's executive in 1996.
