| Charlie Dempsey | |
|---|---|
| Born | Charles John Dempsey 4 March 1921 Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 24 June 2008 (aged 87) New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Known for | Association football administrator |
Charles "Charlie" Dempsey, CBE (4 March 1921 – 24 June 2008) was a Scottish-born New Zealand association football administrator [1] who infamously abstained from FIFA's final round of voting for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, in a move which eventually saw the competition being awarded to Germany rather than South Africa.[2] Dempsey, who had previously led the Oceania Football Confederation since 1982 (the year New Zealand reached the World Cup under his leadership) [3][4], eventually left his position at FIFA two years early.[5]
He served on Fifa's executive from 1996 to 2000, and was awarded the Fifa Order of Merit in 2004, He had been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in New Zealand in 1982 for services to soccer.
Dempsey died on 24 June 2008, aged 87, or 86 according to some sources.[3][4]. He was a builder, and had emigrated with his wife to New Zealand in 1952. He was aged 87, and is survived by his wife and two daughters [6].