Bin Hammam: Payments came out of personal accounts

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 12:52:09 +0000

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Mohamed bin Hammam said accusations he enriched his family and supporters while president of Asian soccer are politically motivated and that he plans to fight "this clear abuse of power and process at the hand of FIFA."

In a letter to 20 Asian associations, bin Hammam confirmed he made payments to soccer officials and others but said they came out of his own bank accounts and were driven by a desire to help those in need — including Zhang Jilong, the current AFC president who ordered the PriceWaterhouseCoopers audit that instigated the investigation by FIFA's ethics committee.

"Jilong was one of those who came to me for financial support and I helped him with a significant amount from my personal account," bin Hammam wrote. "I will leave him to explain the circumstances of this to you if he wishes."

The 63-year-old Qatari had a lifetime soccer ban overturned in court in July following allegations he bribed Caribbean voters when he challenged Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency.

The accusations in the PWC audit are the subject of separate investigations by the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA, but have been described by Bin Hammam as "a repeat of what FIFA did immediately before I stood against Mr. Blatter in the presidential elections last year."

Salon.com > By Michael Casey

Bin Hammam: Payments came out of personal accounts