da fazobetai： FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam has dismissed the allegations of bribery made against him.The Asian Football Confederation president, who is the only challenger to Sepp Blatter’s FIFA presidency, was accused of bribery in regards to the June 1 election and summoned to face the FIFA Ethics Committee on May 29.
Bin Hammam released a statement on Wednesday, in which he denied the allegations.
“This has been a difficult and painful day for me today,” the statement read.
“But, if there is even the slightest justice in the world, these allegations will vanish in the wind. This move is little more than a tactic being used by those who have no confidence in their own ability to emerge successfully from the FIFA presidential election.”
“I remain deeply indebted to Mr (Jack) Warner for his sense of Fair Play because without his support and understanding I would not have been able to meet with several important Member Associations of FIFA to discuss my election manifesto.”
“Here, I completely deny any allegations of wrongdoing either intentionally or unknowingly while I was in the Caribbean.”
“I will speak to Mr. Warner on this subject and offer him my full support in ensuring we are discharged honourably by the FIFA Ethics Committee, a body which I hold in the highest esteem.”
“I am confident that there is no charge to answer and that I will be free to stand in the FIFA Presidential election on June 1 as originally planned.”
CONCACAF secretary general and FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer alleged a violation of the FIFA code of ethics during a meeting on May 10 and 11, set up by bin Hammam and Warner.
Caribbean Football Union officials Debbie Minguell and Jason Sylvester are also implicated and must attend Sunday’s hearing.
A part of a statement from FIFA earlier on Wednesday read: “In view of the factors alleged in this report, which include bribery allegations, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, in compliance with act 16 of the FIFA code of ethics, yesterday requested the FIFA ethics committee to open ethics proceedings.”
Bin Hammam, Warner, Minguell and Sylvester will face the committee in Zurich on Sunday, three days out from the FIFA presidential election.