Bin Hammam to appeal FIFA ban

Mohamed Bin Hammam intends to appeal the suspension handed to him by the FIFA ethics committee.

The governing body banned the Asian Football Confederation president from football-related activities after he was accused of corruption.

But Bin Hammam said on Monday the process was unfair after he was suspended without being proven guilty.

“Mohamed Bin Hammam will not accept yesterday’s decision by the FIFA ethics committee,” a statement on his website read.

“As he is only allowed to appeal against the motivated decision by the FIFA ethics committee, he urgently requested this by Tuesday to be able to file his appeal in due time and to revoke the provisional ban before Wednesday’s congress is starting.”

“The way these proceedings have been conducted is absolutely not compliant with any principles of justice. I am punished before I am found guilty.”

Bin Hammam said he did not have faith in the committee to provide a decision through their investigation without being influenced.

“This is not acceptable as the FIFA ethics committee is supposed to be a fully independent body,” he said.

“Therefore, I also expect the further investigation to be influenced and manipulated.”

The Qatari pulled out of the race to be FIFA president on Sunday, leaving incumbent Sepp Blatter to enter Wednesday’s election as the only candidate.