FIFA official claims innocence in vote scandal
FIFA executive committee member Amos Adamu has denied any wrongdoing after being caught up in the alleged cash-for-votes scandal.
Adamu, from Nigeria, and Tahiti official Reynald Temarri have both been provisionally suspended by FIFA following claims by the Sunday Times that the pair asked for money in exchange for their votes on the host nation for World Cup 2018.
Both men play a role in determining who will host both the 2018 and 2022 tournaments but were suspended on Wednesday after footage appeared to show Adamu requesting money be paid directly to him.
The Nigerian said in a statement: “Whilst I wholly refute all allegations made, I fully support the inquiry since it is important that these claims are thoroughly investigated.
“Only by doing this will FIFA – and the wider football community – be able to trust that its appointed representatives are beyond reproach.”
FIFA’s ethics committee will now meet next month to make a final decision on the matter, while the host nations for 2018 and 2022 will be decided on December 2.