FIFA opens ethics proceedings against its President Joseph Blatter

[News_Editor]

FIFA opens ethics proceedings against its President Joseph Blatter

2011-05-27 22:59:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND (BNO NEWS) -- The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) on Friday announced the opening of ethics proceedings against its President Joseph Blatter over alleged cash payments to delegations.

FIFA Executive Committee member Mohamed bin Hammam has requested the committee to open proceedings against Blatter after a report submitted by General Secretary of CONCACAF, Chuck Blazer.

In the report submitted earlier this week, it is disclosed that FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner informed Blatter in advance over the alleged cash payments to delegations attending a special meeting of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) organized by Warner and bin Hammam.

Bin Hammam, who is Blatter's rival for the next FIFA presidential elections, and Warner will be present at Sunday's hearing to answer to the bribery charges at the federation headquarters in Zurich.

Blatter denied commenting on the allegations and instead said that the "facts will speak for themselves." The ethics proceedings were opened in compliance with article 16 of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

Since 1998, Blatter has been the president of FIFA and one of the most powerful men in football. However, the federation has been immersed in a power struggle amidst allegations of fraud in regards to the designations of the hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

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