FIFA has banned two of its executive committee members Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii who were involved in a cash for votes scam for a total of 4 years. Adamu received a lengthy 3 year ban while Temarii was banned for 1 year.
The pair will not be involved in any football related activities for the stipulated time. In addition to this, the pair were fined a total of 15,000 Swiss Francs. You would expect both Adamu and Temarii to express remorse for their actions, but instead Adamu expressed disappointment at the way the whole matter was handled.
Speaking to the press after the ruling was made, Adamu made his feelings known.
“I am profoundly disappointed with the Ethics Committee’s findings and had honestly believed I would be exonerated of any charges by now,”
“I am innocent of all the charges levelled against me by the Ethics Committee and I completely refute the decision they have made.”
Adamu promised to lodge an appeal against FIFA’s Ethics Committee’s decision.
“As yet I have not been advised of the grounds of the Ethics Committee’s decision but, regardless, I will be lodging a full appeal against it with immediate effect.”
FIFA’s 24 man executive committee just got a significant blow with the suspension of both Adamu and Temarii and it remains to be seen how this will affect the December 2nd vote.
England is widely expected to win the 2018 bid while favourites for the 2022 bid Qatar are expected to carry the day. The ethics committee also discussed reports that 2018 joint bidders Spain/Portugal and 2022 bidders Qatar colluded to trade votes however, they said that no action will be taken against the nations.
Photo credit: from The Prime Minister’s Office
