Bin Hammam asks for investigation to include Mr. Blatter

Mohamed Bin Hammam rejects any accusation of bribery. As the recent accusations also mention incumbent FIFA president Joseph Blatter, Mohamed Bin Hammam has requested that the investigation be extended to include Mr. Blatter. It is no coincidence that these allegations have been made only a few days before the 61st FIFA Congress, at which the new FIFA president will be elected.

Doha and Zurich, May 26, 2011– 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, 2011 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.

Mohamed Bin Hammam: "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."

In recognition of FIFA’s rules and regulations, Mohamed Bin Hammam reserves the right to explore all legal options.