Say what? US federal judge in Chuck Blazer case unsure how to pronounce FIFA

NEW YORK, N.Y. – FIFA may be famous throughout the world. In the Brooklyn court room of U.S. District Judge 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 changes, 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.

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