ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Suspended President of the Dominica Football Association Patrick John has taken legal action against retired FIFA Referee Ibrahim Brohim for comments on a local radio station.
John has demanded an apology and compensation of over US $55,000 from Brohim for comments he felt have greatly damaged his reputation.
The suspended DFA President was banned from involvement in the sport for two years by FIFA for apparent violations of its code of ethics following the cash-for-votes scandal that rocked the sport in the Caribbean and the World.
A letter from John’s lawyer, which appeared on the Dominica Online website, claimed that since Brohim made his comments that his “client has been sought out and characterised as a dishonest and corrupt person and a person who cannot be trusted and believed”.
The lawyer’s letter added: “[Your comments] maliciously and intentionally defamed our client’s character by effectively lowering the esteem in which our client is held by his colleagues, friends, family members and the football fraternity which he selflessly served and the general public.
“Your comments have also exposed our client to public ridicule and embarrassment, contempt, shame and odium.”
John has appealed the decision by FIFA Ethics Committee and is awaiting a hearing on the matter.