FIFA Report: Bin Hammam Refused to Fully Co-operate with Investigations

The FIFA executive committee member and president of the Asian Football Confederation has been suspended since May 29 on charges of bribery and the FIFA Ethics Committee hearing into his case will begin on Thursday in Zurich, Switzerland.

The report has suggested that although Bin Hammam provided “some documents”, he “refused to provide his banking records for review and said that requested telephone records do not exist”.

Seven associations from the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) have told investigators they were offered or accepted cash gifts of US$40,000 at the Hyatt Regency hotel on May 10 after Bin Hammam had made a presentation about his campaign to be FIFA president.

According to the report, although there is “no direct evidence” linking Bin Hammam to the payment of bribes there is “compelling circumstantial evidence” that he was the source of the money.

Twelve of the 25 CFU members present have refused to co-operate with the investigation and could face charges from the Ethics Committee.

The report says that witnesses have stated former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner told the 25 CFU associations on May 11 that Bin Hammam had provided the cash gifts.

It stated: “Several witnesses advised that Mr Warner stated that the cash had originated with Mr Bin Hammam and the cash was given to them at Mr Warner’s suggestion, instead of a more formal gift, such as silver or a plate.”