Bin Hammam hits back

Mohamed Bin Hammam today demanded that FIFA president Sepp Blatter himself be included in the investigation by the world governing body’s ethics committee.

Bin Hammam, who along with FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has been charged with bribery, claims Blatter has also been named in evidence submitted to the ethics committee ahead of a hearing on Sunday.

The 62-year-old, who is standing against Blatter in next week’s presidential election, said in a statement: “Mohamed Bin Hammam, member of the executive committee of FIFA, was surprised by yesterday’s accusations of bribery. He rejects these accusations and confirms that they are without substance.

“The accusations also contain statements according to which Mr Blatter, the incumbent FIFA president, was informed of, but did not oppose, payments allegedly made to members of the Caribbean Football Union.

“Mr Bin Hammam has therefore requested that the investigation by the Ethics Committee be extended to include Mr Blatter himself.

“The timing of the accusations so close to the election of FIFA president on June 1, suggests that they are part of a plan to damage Mr Bin Hammam and force him to withdraw as a candidate for the FIFA presidency.”

Bin Hammam added: “I am not at all afraid to answer any questions that the Ethics Committee may have for me at the hearing next Sunday. As long as the Committee guarantees a fair process, I have nothing to fear.”