188 replies to this topic

[RobH]

Breaking: Bin Hammam asks for FIFA investigation to include Sepp Blatter

Quote

Mohamed Bin Hammam rejects any accusation of bribery. As the recent accusations also mention incumbent FIFA president Joseph Blatter, Mohamed Bin Hammam has requested that the investigation be extended to include Mr. Blatter. It is no coincidence that these allegations have been made only a few days before the 61st FIFA Congress, at which the new FIFA president will be elected.

Mohamed Bin Hammam, Member of the Executive Committee of FIFA, was surprised by yesterday's accusations of bribery. He rejects these accusations and confirms that they are without substance. The accusations also contain statements according to which Mr. Blatter, the incumbent FIFA president, was informed of, but did not oppose, payments allegedly made to members of the Caribbean Football Union. Mr. Bin Hammam has therefore requested that the investigation by the Ethics Committee be extended to include Mr. Blatter himself.

The timing of the accusations so close to the election of FIFA president on June 1, 2011 suggests that they are part of a plan to damage Mr. Bin Hammam and force him to withdraw as a candidate for the FIFA presidency.

Mohamed Bin Hammam: "I am not at all afraid to answer any questions that the Ethics Committee may have for me at the hearing next Sunday. As long as the Committee guarantees a fair process, I have nothing to fear."

In recognition of FIFA's rules and regulations, Mohamed Bin Hammam reserves the right to explore all legal options.

http://www.afcpresid...ge=1&menuNum=31

Is anyone else thoroughly enjoying all this?

Edited by RobH, 26 May 2011 - 12:37 PM.

[faster]

I'm not. They did to get their **** together. Chung Mong Joon should have ran.

[arwebb]

Seen the new evidence against Warner, Rob?

[RobH]

Yep, there's so many corruption threads on the go, it's hard to keep track:

http://www.gamesbids...nt/page__st__20

[baron-pierreIV]

I'd like out-&-out fisticuffs at the FIFA convention just like we've seen on either the Asian or the -stan parliaments!!

[RobH]

BUT WHICH IS BETTER? THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT....



FIIIIIIGHT!!

[Michelle]

I don't see how Blatter can survive this now. The thing with Blatter is, even if his own ethics committee (which is laughable) exonerates him, he is so deeply associated with all that Fifa has become these last few years. He has captained this organization, an organization so rooted in corruption that it makes the old IOC look good.

And Rob, French press are speculating that FFF will abstain.

Edited by Michelle, 27 May 2011 - 07:01 AM.

[RobH]

Fifa president Sepp Blatter under investigation

Fifa has opened ethics proceedings against its president, Sepp Blatter.

The action follows a charge by Mohamed Bin Hammam, his rival in next week's presidency election, that Blatter knew about alleged cash payments.

Bin Hammam and vice-president Jack Warner will also be at Sunday's hearing to answer charges of bribery.

Blatter issued a statement saying: "I cannot comment on the proceedings that have been opened against me. The facts will speak for themselves."

The ethics committee are bound by their rules to investigate any complaint by an executive committee member under article 16 of the ethics code.

Bin Hammam and Warner face allegations from executive committee member Chuck Blazer that they offered bribes at a meeting of the Caribbean Football Union on 10 and 11 May.

A file of evidence claims bundles of cash of up to $40,000 were handed over to members of the CFU at the meeting in Trinidad.

In turn, Bin Hammam is effectively claiming Blatter was aware of some wrongdoing but did not report it, in itself a breach of the code.

The committee, chaired by Namibian judge Petrus Damaseb, will also be under pressure to decide whether Blatter will face any charges or not.

The move to place Blatter, one of the most powerful men in football, under investigtion is the latest twist in an increasingly bitter fight for the presidency of the sport's global governing body.

And it also follows weeks of damging headlines and allegations in the wake of the vote for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

BBC sports editor David Bond said: "Fifa is now an organisation completely at war. They cannot possibly continue in this way and many people will say they should suspend the presidential election, which takes place next Wednesday.

http://news.bbc.co.u...ll/13574338.stm

[Michelle]

Sir Rols, on 25 May 2011 - 05:50 PM, said:

Whoa! I had no inkling of this until I came in and saw this thread. Talk about a week of FIFA bombshells. And Warner and Bin Hammam now smelling of shite.

Tell you what, it takes my breath away how ruthlessly Sepp has played this presidential campaign. I actually think that there may be a strong chance the 2022 vote could get re-done now - a week ago I would have given the notion buckley's.

I think the winds of change are now blowing through Fifa HQ. I should think both votes for 2018 and 2022 should be re-run, at the end of this year or next. But before any re-election of host countries, Fifa needs new leadership... and many reforms before we can look at any such vote.

Edited by Michelle, 27 May 2011 - 07:07 AM.

[RobH]

Michelle, on 27 May 2011 - 07:00 AM, said:

I don't see how Blatter can survive this now. The thing with Blatter is, even if his own ethics committee (which is laughable) exonerates him, he is so deeply associated with all that Fifa has become these last few years. He has captained this organization, an organization so rooted in corruption that it makes the old IOC look good.

And Rob, French press are speculating that FFF will abstain.

Well good for them, genuinly, and I hope they do. If Blatter loses France's vote that's a huge blow given Platini's influence. I can't see, if the election goes ahead, how any FA worth their salt would fail to choose to abstain. The English FA, for once, is looking like it's leading the world! Hilarious!

For what it's worth, our sports minister, just said "situation is farcical and FIFA should look at suspending the election."

Also, I wonder what Brazilians, Russians and Qataris are making of all this seeing as they have to work with this organisation. And indeed, I wonder what South Afrcians are making of it given that so much of this must have been going on while they were in bed with FIFA during last year's world cup.

Edited by RobH, 27 May 2011 - 07:11 AM.