South Africa 2006 vote man dies

Charles Dempsey said he had come under "intolerable pressure"

Charles Dempsey, the man who famously abstained from Fifa's vote for the hosts of the 2006 World Cup, has died at the age of 86 after a short illness.

The New Zealander had been instructed by the Oceania Federation to back South Africa's claim, but he did not cast a vote.

That gave the tournament to Germany by 12 votes to 11.

Had Mr Dempsey backed South Africa the vote would have been a tie, and Fifa president Sepp Blatter's casting vote would have given the event to the African country.

His decision provoked widespread criticism, but he said he had been put under "intolerable pressure" before the vote.

He resigned from Fifa and from the Oceania Confederation (OFC) shortly afterwards, but always maintained he did nothing wrong.

Of course, South Africa will host the World Cup in 2010.

The 2006 vote brought Charles Dempsey to the attention of the wider world, but he was president of the OFC for 18 years and was heavily involved in its foundation.

New Zealand reached the World Cup in 1982 under his leadership.





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