21  October 2010

FIFA has provisionally suspended its two executive committee members accused of selling their votes to allocate the hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. The FIFA Ethics Committee, under the chairmanship of Claudio Sulser, decided 20 October 2010 to provisionally suspend, with immediate effect, the members of the FIFA Executive Committee Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii from taking part in any football-related activity (administrative, sports or any other). After hearing Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii, the Ethics Committee considered that a provisional suspension was required while the investigation continues, taking into account the gravity of the case and the likelihood that a breach of the FIFA Statutes, the FIFA Code of Ethics and the FIFA Disciplinary Code has been committed. Furthermore, the Ethics Committee examined the cases of four officials – Slim Aloulou, Amadou Diakite, Ahongalu Fusimalohi and Ismael Bhamjee – also in relation to an alleged breach of the FIFA Statutes, the FIFA Code of Ethics and the FIFA Disciplinary Code linked to the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. The committee also decided to suspend these four officials provisionally from taking part in any football-related activity. FIFA opened proceedings against the two Executive Committee members on 18 October 2010 and requested the Ethics Committee to conduct an independent, in-depth investigation into the matter. The Ethics Committee will meet again in mid-November 2010 in order to take a final decision on the matter after gathering more information and evidence on the six cases. "The decision to provisionally suspend these officials is fully justified and should not be put in question. The evidence that has been presented to us today has led us to take this provisional measure, as we considered that the conditions were definitely met to take this decision and we deem that it is crucial to protect the integrity of the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process. We are determined to have zero tolerance for any breach of the Code of Ethics," said the chairman of the Ethics Committee, Claudio Sulser. Finally, and again at the request of FIFA, the Ethics Committee decided to open an investigation into alleged agreements between member associations and their Bid Committees in relation to the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process, something which would also be a violation of the Bid Registration document and the Code of Ethics. A decision on this case will also be taken by the Ethics Committee at its meeting in mid-November, following a thorough investigation. Reacting to the development yesterday, FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, described this as “a sad day for football.” Meanwhile, in Nigeria the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opened a case file on the CAF and FIFA executive member, Amos Adamu. The spokesman of the Commission, Femi Babafemi disclosed that directives have been given to EFCC operatives to make contact with the world soccer governing body, FIFA and others associated with the case to provide information concerning the involvement of Dr. Adamu in the cash for vote World Cup bid. “The Chairperson of the EFCC Farida Waziri asked the director of operations to make contact with FIFA. “The EFCC is very much interested in the case and we want to find out to what extent, Dr. Adamu is involved. “He is a Nigerian, since he has been mentioned in alleged bribery, we have to investigate,” said Mr. Babafemi. Dr. Adamu a controversial figure in Nigerian sports found himself in a mess after undercover journalists recorded him demanding for US$800,000 dollars bribe to throw his vote for a World Cup 2018/2020 bidder.

Tweet

Tweetle                      Paylaş                        Paylaş