Bin Hammam claims he is subject of ´tawdry´ conspiracy

FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam believes his campaign is the target of a conspiracy.

Bin Hammam released a statement on the same day that his allegations forced FIFA’s hand, as they began investigations surrounding president Sepp Blatter.

Bin Hammam – who is also being investigated by FIFA’s ethics committee – is required to appear at a hearing on Sunday, after he was reported by fellow executive committee member Chuck Blazer for alleged bribery.

But the president of the Asian Football Federation feels that the fact he has to respond to the committee may be a plot to stop him running against Blatter in Wednesday’s presidential election.

“After having analysed and answered the accusations of bribery made against Mohamed Bin Hammam, it seems obvious that they are without substance,” a statement released by the 62-year-old read on Friday, meeting a midday deadline set by FIFA.

“It is true that Mr Bin Hammam addressed representatives of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) at an extraordinary meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, which took place on 10 and 11 May.”

“Nobody has ever tried to hide the fact that Mr Bin Hammam paid for the delegates’ travel and accommodation expenses and covered the meeting’s administrative costs. At this congress, Mr Bin Hammam presented his programme, which included proposals to give more say, more pay, more support and more responsibility to the national associations.”

“Mr Bin Hammam reiterates that any allegations about him trying to buy votes are completely false.”

“It is obvious that these allegations have been made to discredit Mr Bin Hammam as a candidate in the imminent election for the FIFA presidency. For example, it took 14 days to formulate these allegations, whereas Mr Bin Hammam was given less than 48 hours to respond.”

“It is quite obvious that, following previous failed attempts, this is part of a final effort to prevent Mr Bin Hammam from running for the FIFA presidency.”

“Mr Bin Hammam expects FIFA’s ethics committee to see through this tawdry manoeuvre. After analysing the allegations made against Mr Bin Hammam, it is difficult to understand how the case could even have been brought before the committee.”