ZURICH, (Reuters) – Asian soccer chief Mohamed Bin Hammam was banned for life today after being found guilty by world football’s ruling body of trying to buy votes ahead of last month’s FIFA presidential election.
Bin Hammam, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president since 2002, was found guilty by FIFA’s ethics committee of bribery in a meeting with Caribbean officials in Port of Spain, Trinidad in May, the committee’s deputy chairman Petrus Damaseb told reporters.
The 62-year-old Qatari, who has also been on FIFA’s executive committee since 1996, withdrew his presidential candidacy on May 29 and Swiss Sepp Blatter was re-elected unopposed for a fourth term three days later.
Former CONCACAF president Jack Warner, provisionally banned with Bin Hammam for his involvement in the Port of Spain meeting, resigned in June and a case against him was dropped.
Bin Hammam did not attend the two-day hearing at FIFA headquarters but was represented by two lawyers.
Immediately after the hearing, his spokesman said the Qatari rejected the committee’s findings.
“He maintains his innocence,” said the spokesman. “He will continue to fight his case through the legal routes that are open to him.”
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